Released: 2024
“Lavish” by Twenty One Pilots introduces us to a satirical take on modern decadence and the allure of luxury. The song tackles themes of consumerism, superficiality, and the quest for status, all wrapped in a glossy, upbeat tempo that contrasts the deeper, critical message.
The opening lines, “Welcome to the new way of living / It’s just the beginning of lavish from the floor to the ceiling,” set the stage for a world where excess and opulence are not just aspirations but expectations. This new way of living is not about comfort or happiness but about appearing affluent and important. In this narrative, keeping up appearances is everything, even if it means stretching beyond one’s means or comfort.
As we dive deeper, “You try your best to look like this is not your first time / You’re fighting for the front row, that’s a nice try,” captures the effort and competitiveness involved in maintaining this lavish facade. It’s a game of putting on airs, pretending that one is accustomed to this level of luxury, even if it’s a struggle. The mention of “You’re looking real nice, smelling like worth,” suggests that value is placed on external appearances and material possessions rather than genuine qualities or achievements.
The cheeky line, “Got that penny loafer squeak, ‘cross linoleum,” conveys an ironic contrast between the attempt to present oneself as affluent (penny loafers being a symbol of casual wealth) and the reality of less glamorous circumstances (linoleum flooring). The reference to “Sip a Capri-Sun like it’s Dom Pérignon” further emphasizes the juxtaposition between the everyday and the extravagant, mocking the pretense of luxury.
The song’s bridge and repetitive chorus hammer home the theme of a lavish lifestyle being desirable yet ultimately superficial. The repeated line, “Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while / It’s lavish,” is talking about trends in the rich life come and go, but the race to keep up with them is relentless and often ridiculous.
In “Lavish”, Twenty One Pilots craft a vibrant, catchy anthem that critiques society’s obsession with surface-level wealth and status. Through clever lyrics and an infectious beat, they remind us that there’s often more to the story than what meets the eye, encouraging a more discerning look at what we consider “lavish.”
