City Walls

Square up with me I can take your right, throw a left Pair up with me I'ma take you right to the chest Warpath etched in the surface Lines of the yellow tape, they're moving quiet like a serpentine in a formation Buddy, that's my team, pretty impatient Now they're waiting on me It might be the furthest we've reached Now move it up, move it up, it's a breach I wonder where you are I wanted you to show me The way around those city walls The way on through I wonder where you are I wanted you to show me But now the night has fallen Abandoned by the sun Square up with me I can come to you, tell me when Pair up with me I can run on you in the end I write a promise in pencil but my loyalty's in pen Use a mistake as a crooked stencil Then we trace it back again From the mainland to the island of violence It was the same plan for a while, decided To send me up and rip you out of your seat You see, in a city with no entrance, there is not a retreat I'm wondering what you thought would happen Who you thought I would be Was this a side-swipe or did you picture this in a dream? Buckle down, this is possibly the furthest we've reached Now move it up, move it up, it's a breach I wonder where you are I wanted you to show me The way around the city walls The way on through I wonder where you are I wanted you to show me But now the night has fallen Abandoned by the sun Abandoned by the sun My smile wraps around my head splitting it in two, two, two, two I don't have a clue how I can keep the top half glued, glued, glued, glued My smile wraps around my head splitting it in two, two, two, two I don't have a clue how I can keep that top half glued, glued, glued, glued I wonder where you are I wanted you to show me Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my Entertain my faith This is the last time This is the last time Entertain my faith This is the last time that I try Address my soul Address my soul Address my soul Entertain my faith This is the last time that I try

Composer: twenty one pilots

In-depth Analysis of 'City Walls' by LyricLens AI

twenty one pilots' "City Walls" from their 2025 album 'Breach' plunges listeners into a narrative of intense conflict, both external and internal. The song opens with a confrontational stance, suggesting a battle or a challenge accepted, where the protagonist is part of a "team" ready for a "breach." This imagery sets a tone of imminent struggle and a decisive turning point, possibly the "furthest we've reached."

Themes Central to 'City Walls':

Conflict and Confrontation: The lyrics "Square up with me," "Warpath etched," and "I'ma take you right to the chest" depict a direct and unavoidable clash. This could represent a fight against external adversaries or, more profoundly, an internal struggle with one's own doubts or destructive impulses.
Betrayal and Abandonment: The repeated plea "I wonder where you are, I wanted you to show me the way around those city walls" suggests a reliance on someone who is now absent. The line "But now the night has fallen, Abandoned by the sun" powerfully conveys feelings of isolation and being left alone in darkness, possibly after a betrayal or a loss of guidance.
Internal Division and Mental Struggle: The vivid and unsettling imagery, "My smile wraps around my head splitting it in two," profoundly illustrates a mind fractured by conflict. This points to a deep psychological battle, a struggle to maintain composure or identity when faced with overwhelming pressure or internal contradictions. The desire to "keep the top half glued" underscores the fragility of mental peace.

"City Walls" ultimately explores the precarious balance between fighting on, the desperation of seeking guidance, and the profound mental toll of enduring sustained conflict, culminating in a final, urgent plea to "Entertain my faith," suggesting a desperate search for belief or hope in the face of collapse.

Q&A & Fun Facts: 'City Walls' by twenty one pilots

What is "City Walls" by twenty one pilots about?

"City Walls" delves into themes of intense conflict, perseverance, and internal struggle. It portrays a protagonist engaged in a battle, possibly against an external adversary or a profound internal challenge, marked by feelings of abandonment and a fractured sense of self.

What do the "city walls" symbolize in the song?

The "city walls" can symbolize barriers, challenges, or perhaps mental confines that the protagonist is trying to navigate or overcome. They represent an obstacle, and the desire for someone to "show me the way around" highlights a need for guidance or a path to freedom.

What does the lyric "My smile wraps around my head splitting it in two" mean?

This powerful and disturbing image represents extreme mental distress and internal division. It suggests a struggle to maintain a façade of happiness or normalcy ("smile") while experiencing severe psychological pressure, feeling torn apart, or on the verge of a mental break.

Fun Facts:

The song's title "City Walls" and the album title "Breach" (meaning a break or violation) create a direct thematic connection, suggesting a narrative of breaking through barriers.
"City Walls" showcases twenty one pilots' signature blend of introspective lyrics with themes of existential dread and mental health, often exploring the battle against internal demons.
The repeated plea "Entertain my faith" at the song's climax adds a layer of spiritual or existential urgency, common in the band's work.