Released: 2024
At its core, “Backslide” by Twenty One Pilots touches on the internal struggle of trying not to fall back into old, destructive habits. It paints a vivid picture of someone fighting against the current of life’s challenges, using the metaphor of drowning to describe feeling overwhelmed.
The opening lines, “Rat race, place to place, adding weight / Tendencies on repeat, innit / Benefit from a shoe with no lace / Take the seat with the crease in it,” immediately throw us into the daily grind and repetitive nature of unhealthy habits. The mention of a shoe with no lace might suggest trying to find a simpler path in life, one that’s less complicated to navigate. The seat with the crease symbolizes accepting discomfort or settling into patterns that have become too familiar.
As the song continues, “I don’t mind if it’s lonely / I don’t mind if it’s fair / I don’t care, you control me / Leading me anywhere,” it reveals a submission to these patterns, almost as if the speaker has given up fighting against them. There’s a sense of resignation here, highlighting the exhaustion that comes with constant struggle.
The chorus, “I don’t wanna backslide to where I’ve started from / There’s no chance I will shake this again / ‘Cause I feel the pull, water’s over my head / Strength enough for one more time / Reach my hand above the tide / I’ll take anything you have if you could throw me a line,” is a desperate plea for help. It’s about not wanting to revert back to a darker place, feeling the pull of old habits, yet still having just enough will to fight for survival. It’s a call for assistance, acknowledging that sometimes, we can’t make it on our own.
The verses and chorus together set up a back-and-forth narrative between succumbing to despair and the desire to fight through it. Phrases like “Bad place on a hundred dollar bass” and “Kind of wishing that I never did Saturday” reflect on specific regrets and moments of weakness, while “Accidentally uncovered a new one yesterday” speaks to the ongoing discovery of personal flaws and the challenges they present.
Ultimately, “Backslide” is an introspective anthem about battling one’s demons and the power of reaching out for help. It acknowledges the complexity of human emotions and the tough journey toward personal growth. Despite the fear of backsliding, there’s a glimmer of hope in the relentless pursuit of becoming better, underscored by the repeated request for someone to “throw me a line.”
