“Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots came out in 2016 as part of Suicide Squad: The Album. The track blends moody beats with dark lyrics that explore trust, isolation, and the fear of outsiders. The song’s meaning taps into a feeling of being part of a broken system, surrounded by dangerous people and being judged for who you associate with.
This article is an interpretation of what the lyrics in “Heathens” could be saying. We’ll break it down section by section, looking closely at the themes of danger, loyalty, and survival in a world where not everyone is who they seem.
“Heathens” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Chorus: A Warning About Outsiders
All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
The word “heathens” refers to people outside normal society, those who don’t follow accepted beliefs or rules.
The warning is simple: don’t jump in too fast. These aren’t people you can trust easily, and they don’t trust easily either.
Please don’t make any sudden moves
You don’t know the half of the abuse
These lines suggest that people in this group have been hurt before, possibly in deep and lasting ways.
They react strongly to quick changes, maybe because of trauma or a violent past.
It’s not just about being careful. It’s about knowing that these people live with pain and don’t let outsiders in easily.
Verse 1: Inside a Dangerous Circle
Welcome to the room of people who have rooms of people
That they loved one day, locked away
This is about people who’ve lost someone close to them.
Maybe those people ended up in prison, maybe in institutions.
The lines create an image of a community built around loss, secrets, and hidden pain.
Just because we check the guns at the door
Doesn’t mean our brains will change from hand grenades
This part flips the idea of safety.
You can take away physical weapons, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still dangerous.
There’s a threat hiding under the surface, and mental instability can be just as explosive as any weapon.
You’ll never know the psychopath sitting next to you
You’ll never know the murderer sitting next to you
These lines build fear and paranoia. In this world, you’re never sure who you’re really with.
Anyone could be hiding something violent or dangerous.
You’ll think, “How’d I get here, sitting next to you?”
But after all I’ve said, please don’t forget
This shows confusion or regret about ending up in this place or with these people.
It also brings the chorus back into focus: the warning still stands despite everything. Don’t forget how serious this is.
Verse 2: Fear of Outsiders
We don’t deal with outsiders very well
They say newcomers have a certain smell
This group sees new people as a threat.
The idea that newcomers have a “smell” suggests something animalistic. It’s almost like they can sense bad intentions without any words being spoken.
You have trust issues, not to mention
They say they can smell your intentions
This flips the judgment back onto the outsider.
Even if you have your own trust issues, so do they.
You might think you’re suspicious of them, but they’re even more suspicious of you.
You’ll never know the freak show sitting next to you
You’ll have some weird people sitting next to you
These lines maintain the idea that this world is full of strange, unpredictable people.
They’re not pretending to be normal, and they don’t want to be.
You’ll think “How did I get here, sitting next to you?”
But after all I’ve said, please don’t forget
The repetition drives home the warning: you might feel out of place, but it’s too late now. You’re already part of it.
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Outro: Too Late to Back Out
Why’d you come? You knew you should have stayed
I tried to warn you just to stay away
This is a clear call-out to someone who ignored all the warnings.
They were told not to get involved, but they came anyway.
And now they’re outside, ready to bust
It looks like you might be one of us
Here, everything collapses.
Someone, maybe the authorities, is coming, and the group is about to be exposed.
But now the outsider has been drawn in too deep. Whether they like it or not, they’ve become part of this dangerous world.
“Heathens” Song Meaning: Power, Pain, and the Fear of Being Known
“Heathens” paints a picture of a tight, damaged group that lives on the edge of society. It’s not just about crime or violence, though those are part of it. At its core, the song is about people who’ve been hurt, shut out, or twisted by the world.
The word “heathens” works as a symbol for people who don’t fit in. It could be a reference to criminals, outcasts, trauma survivors, or anyone who lives with deep emotional scars. The song shows how hard it is to connect with others when your life has been shaped by violence or betrayal. Once you’re in, it’s hard to leave. And if you’re not ready, you don’t belong.
Songs Like “Heathens”
Here are a few songs with similar dark themes or outsider energy:
1. “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish
“Bury a Friend” explores fear, mental chaos, and the feeling of being haunted by your own mind. Its eerie tone and whispery delivery match the haunting vibe of “Heathens.”
Related: Best Songs About Ghosts
2. “Animal I Have Become” by Three Days Grace
“Animal I Have Become” deals with losing control and feeling like a monster. Like “Heathens,” it shows how people wrestle with darkness inside themselves.
3. “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance
“Welcome to the Black Parade” carries strong themes of loss, identity, and forming a bond with others who feel broken. It taps into the same outsider energy found in “Heathens.”
Related: Songs with Colors in the Title
4. “Control” by Halsey
“Control” is about inner turmoil and the fear of one’s own thoughts. Its raw emotion and psychological edge connect it to the troubled world described in “Heathens.”
5. “People Are Strange” by The Doors
“People Are Strange” dives into feelings of alienation and paranoia. It shares the same suspicious tone and message about how different people get treated.
Conclusion: No One Is Safe in the World of “Heathens”
“Heathens” is a sharp warning dressed as a song. It shows what it’s like to live in a world full of suspicion, danger, and people who have seen too much to trust anyone.
The lyrics don’t ask for sympathy. They offer a cold truth: once you’re part of this group, there’s no going back. And if you’re not careful, you could end up becoming just like them.
You can listen to “Heathens” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Interpretations!