Read on Twitter
why i think not today by tøp is one of their best off of blurryface (aka me singlehandedly trying to stop not today slander)
— a thread / analysis
— a thread / analysis
looking instrumentally — we start w simple low repeated bass notes before an organ-like synth is added on top. these 2 sounds contrast each other, one darker one lighter, playing to the theme of blurry.
we are slowly building layers to what will be a musically complex song.
we are slowly building layers to what will be a musically complex song.
all of a sudden, josh comes in with the drums, and the bass line is made more prominent through the piano. the mood and feel of the song has entirely shifted from something simple and unsure, to a brighter and upbeat tone — but lyrically the tone hasn& #39;t changed at all
here tyler sums up a lot of what their music is - "a contradiction because of how happy it sounds", and what i love is how the music stops momentarily when tyler says "down", almost like a pause in the conversation, a time to think about what was just said before moving on
"it& #39;s okay though, because it represents, wait better yet, it is who i feel i am right now" is such a powerful lyric and my favourite in the song. tyler acknowledges both the good and bad in him, continuing the theme of light and dark co-existing, except this time lyrically
skipping ahead to the chorus — an entire key change occurs. the verse ends on A, while the chorus starts on G. musically, going between these 2 chords is v uncommon, its sudden, unexpected and hard to ignore. here it works so well, and establishes a brighter tone for the chorus.
this isn& #39;t super analytical but i just love the hand claps in the chorus.
so much.
okay moving on!!
so much.
okay moving on!!
tyler then becomes loud and defensive, almost threatening blurry to not underestimate him. a burst of confidence you could say.
he then says "i& #39;m sorry" softly at the end (again, contrast), apologizing to that part of himself that he is still scared of and hasn& #39;t been free from.
he then says "i& #39;m sorry" softly at the end (again, contrast), apologizing to that part of himself that he is still scared of and hasn& #39;t been free from.
these lyrical, tonal and musical contrasts are so perfect in this song, it& #39;s literally HEARTBREAKING to see it being ranked as one of the worst on bf all the time
probably the best point of them all — josh does the mfing backup vocals. you cannot not stan.
also the use of the horns is so super cool to me, we& #39;re building with more intense sounding instruments with brighter timbres (tone colour/quality) each layer.
also the use of the horns is so super cool to me, we& #39;re building with more intense sounding instruments with brighter timbres (tone colour/quality) each layer.
remember how we were building layers?
now it& #39;s all stripped back again, and the emotion+strength in tyler& #39;s voice changes drastically from the "yeah"s earlier. only piano and synth are present, playing the same chords (no countering/moving parts), adding to the vulnerability.
now it& #39;s all stripped back again, and the emotion+strength in tyler& #39;s voice changes drastically from the "yeah"s earlier. only piano and synth are present, playing the same chords (no countering/moving parts), adding to the vulnerability.
the counterpoint melody with the horns is literally genius and musically the best part of this song overall. we& #39;re bringing back the layers, the brightness, masking over the insecurities, the darkness and vulnerability. the snare adds a militaristic feel — we& #39;re going to battle.
in this final version of the chorus, the horns play the melody of the chorus as well, making this the strongest version out of the other choruses — a reflection of tyler& #39;s confidence towards defeating blurry no doubt. it sounds like a fanfare, a sound of victory almost
we end with josh singing "ooh"s. honestly no better way to end it.
this is the end of the thread (huge props if you made it this far). thank you for reading!!
this is the end of the thread (huge props if you made it this far). thank you for reading!!
