My interpretation of Tally:
I don't think I've ever posted a song interpretation on this blog. I did a few Owl City songs on my main blog (@howyoustudythestars), but never for Twenty One Pilots, at least on Tumblr. That ends today.
Many people have pointed out how Tally is lore-coded.Ā Yes, I think there is some truth to that.Ā But I also think itās about Tylerās Christian faith.Ā Specifically, I think Tally is how the lore relates to Christianity.
I lost my rank and title
I turned my back at it
Sold it all at a discount
I wanted to progress things
I wanted my soul set free
Sold it all at a discount
The first verse as a whole is about the ending of the lore.Ā TyClancy defeated the Bishops and Nico, but he still became a bishop.Ā He betrayed Torchbearer by doing so.Ā It begs the question, then: Why do we keep fighting?
You and I both know that's how the story goes
We've seen it several times
It's kinda hard to know, is there a point at all?
Or should we cut the line?
The lore, as we all know, is a metaphor for mental health.Ā There is no winners or losers.Ā Only the cycles and the fight.Ā Mental health issues, while not caused by or resulting from any one sin, is a sign we are living in an imperfect and broken world.Ā As a Christian myself, I can acknowledge that my mental health struggles help point to the larger fact that Iām a sinner in need of a Savior.
I liken our fight to two lightning strikes, strike on cue
Like right when a storm hits, sights set, right set, circumstantial proof
You should go way, I should try mine
Even both we both know we should just cut the line
This idea connects to the second verse, especially the phrase ācircumstantial proofā.Ā Within the context of a criminal investigation, circumstantial evidence doesnāt absolutely prove that one is guilty of the crime alleged, but is a true fact that points to someone being a suspect or person of interest.Ā Circumstantial evidence alone is usually not enough to arrest someone, and it is exceedingly hard to get a conviction based on circumstantial evidence alone.Ā So I see the second verse sort of explaining the analogy of the lore and mental health while using it as an example that youāre not perfect.
But the Gospel comes in during the bridge and chorus:
Ooh, somehow, I figured you were keeping track of every time
I figured you were keeping track of every time
I let you down, I breached your trust, I let you die
Just figured you were keeping track of every time
You were keeping track...
Many streaming services transcribe that last word in the third line as ādownā, but I hear, and the lyrics booklets confirm (assuming the one you got is correct), the word is ādieā.Ā Christians believe Jesus died for our sins and through His blood, we can be forgiven of all our wrongdoing.Ā So much so, that by turning to Christ, God not only doesnāt keep track of every time we sin, but sees us as His children whom He loves.
With all that in mind, doesnāt the chorus read a lot differently and more comforting?
You want a tally?Ā I lost the count
You want to love me?Ā Iāll let you down
Still now, you believe in me somehow
When I replay it in my mind
I see your heart break every time
Still now, you believe in me somehow
Grace is more than not getting what you deserve.Ā Itās an undeserved love for you as a person.Ā Jesus died not just to wipe our slate clean, but also because He couldnāt bare the thought of spending eternity without us.Ā I know there are people in this fan base that arenāt Christians, and this interpretation might be off-putting to some.Ā But I truly believe this song is the clearest Christian song from Twenty One Pilots since, well, Clear.
Faith is important to Tyler and Josh, and thereās definitely other Christian-coded songs on Breach.Ā There are songs that arenāt as well, and Intentions exists as a more secular explanation for the end of the lore as well.Ā It makes sense, as when Trench was first released, Tyler stated in interviews that Trench was the closest he has come to releasing a record as if he didnāt have his Christian faith.Ā I always interpreted that to mean that a Christian lens of the lore wasnāt necessary to understand and appreciate it.Ā Even The Pop Song Professor theorized that a Christ-like figure would emerge within the lore as the solution to defeat the Bishops about a year after Trench was released. But in my mind, Tally exists to bridge the lore to Tyler's faith, and I can appreciate that.Ā Having faith isnāt the end of mental health struggles, but it can be a great help.
I had a lot of this typed out in my Notes app before posting this on here, so I don't know if anyone will get anything out of this. But that's what I think Tally is all about. I hope you found it insightful and interesting!
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