Dancing skeletons, an abundance of various face masks, flaming drumsets, and a floating torso strumming on the guitar are all things that are fairly prevalent in numerous Twenty One Pilots’ music videos. It is clear that their strange themes are certainly not just an attempt at being different and authentic, but present the duo with the opportunity to provoke much deeper thinking. The tarps placed over Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph in the opening and ending scenes of their music video for “Holding onto You” serve as more than just decoration for their dark and seemingly random aesthetic. The band continuously attributes their rather original props to more imaginative ideas with their other music- just as they do in this particular song with the tarps.
The mere ten seconds Josh and Tyler are seen under the tarps may seem insignificant, but they play a key role in understanding the rest of the music video, “Holding onto You.” The first thing viewers see in the opening scene is the duo completely covered by tarps. As the music begins, the tarps are thrown off of them and they immediately start performing. A tarp's typical purpose is to protect furniture from dust and light damage. In the same way, the tarps act as shields for Josh and Tyler from the dangers of the skeletons dancing around them in the music video. While underneath the tarps, they are secluded and protected. As soon as the tarps unveil the two, chaos breaks out. Tyler and Josh’s time spent underneath the tarps could represent purity and innocence. Kids often have a distorted view of life- being that it is peaceful, happy, and nothing can ever hurt them. This ignorance is considered to be protection, in a sense: protection from the real, frightening world. It also makes it easier to believe in God and trust in his plans. The tarps in the beginning of the video act as a “safety bubble” around the two, hiding the madness around them.
The majority of the music video could lead viewers to assume that the absence of the tarps imply that getting older makes obedience to God more challenging. Again, tarps are used for protection against damage over time. However, they are removed when the furniture is ready for use again. The tarps pictured in the music video serve the same purpose. The removal of the tarps represents the transition into God’s plans for his followers and their ability to be used by him. When Tyler raps, “And the window sill looks really nice, right? You think twice about your life it probably happens at night, right?” This line insinuates that there are many pressures and expectations that are put on society as a whole, and it is hard for some to remain faithful with so many different worldly influences. As we age, life gets harder. It becomes more difficult to believe in something when you can’t even prove it’s existence, let alone follow the plan that this imperceptible being sets for you. The window sill represents that secular lifestyle that most christians likely struggle with lusting after while trying to follow God’s plan for them. The removal of the tarps can be seen as life on earth, complete with its temptation, lust, and uncertainty and can also represent the push God gives his followers to be a light to a dark world.
The return of the tarps ultimately embodies the concept of submission to God’s plan leading to eternity in heaven.
The narrator reveals the confrontations of demons in his life through the skeletons dancing around him, trying to divert his attention away from what he is singing. Demons are continuously working to steer christians away from their faith. Tyler shows this internal struggle to keep his focus when he is seen pulling at his collar, burying his head in his arms, and touching his face with an almost frustrated expression. It is clear that he is wrestling with something in his head and it is precipitating his frantic movements. The occasional transition from Tyler’s original character to the one who is part skeleton might be a representation of the times he considers succumbing to his dark desires and ways of the world. At one point in the video, the skeletons literally tie a noose around Tyler’s neck. At first, he struggles to break free but eventually the rope snaps and he is released. I think that the noose could represent the deadly consequences of sin, and how while the skeletons (or Tyler’s interpretation of his demons) seem to have an unbreakable hold on him, freedom was still ultimately attainable. This can explain the reemergence of the tarps at the end of the video. Throughout life, mistakes will be made and even the “best christians” stumble in their walks. However, though Tyler gave into temptation at times, he still never completely conformed to the people trying to steer him away from his music. He ultimately ended up covered by the tarp once again. I think the narrator is trying to suggest that the challenges christians face are worth it in the end. The tarps’ reappearance could be a reference back to purity and innocence- this time in the form of heaven.
Summarily, the presence of the tarps could be an allusion to innocence while their absence could signify growth, both physically and spiritually. Its first appearance interpreted the perception of the world as a young child and how blissful ignorance can act as security and protection. However, with growth comes more obstacles and opportunities to fall away from previous intentions. The absence of the tarps serves as a glimpse into a world of endless enticement, while the return of the tarps could signify the return of pureness in one’s heart. Life is undoubtedly full of trial and tribulations. However, through Tyler’s revisitation to the tarps at the end of “Holding onto You,” one can assume that you can always find a way to keep holding onto what you believe in.
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