“Ride”

By Charlie Martin • Catholic News Service • Posted August 16, 2016

I just wanna stay in the sun where I find
I know it’s hard sometimes
Pieces of peace in the sun’s peace of mind
I know it’s hard sometimes
Yeah, I think about the end just way too much
But it’s fun to fantasize
On my enemies who wouldn’t wish who I was
But it’s fun to fantasize

Refrain:

Oh, oh, I’m falling, so I’m taking my time on my ride
Oh, I’m falling, so I’m taking my time on my ride
Taking my time on my ride

 

“I’d die for you,” that’s easy to say
We have a list of people that we would take
A bullet for them, a bullet for you
A bullet for everybody in this room
But I don’t seem to see many bullets coming through
See many bullets coming through
Metaphorically, I’m the man
But literally, I don’t know what I’d do
“I’d live for you,” and that’s hard to do
Even harder to say when you know it’s not true
Even harder to write when you know that tonight
There were people back home who tried talking to you
But then you ignored them still
All these questions they’re for real like
Who would you live for?
Who would you die for?
And would you ever kill?

(Repeat refrain.)

I’ve been thinking too much
I’ve been thinking too much
I’ve been thinking too much
I’ve been thinking too much (help me)
I’ve been thinking too much (I’ve been thinking too much)
I’ve been thinking too (help me)
I’ve been thinking too much (I’ve been thinking too much)
I’ve been thinking too much

(Repeat refrain.)

I’ve been thinking too much
Help me
I’ve been thinking too much
Help me
I’ve been thinking too much (I’ve been thinking too much)
I’ve been thinking too much (help me)
I’ve been thinking too much (I’ve been thinking too much)
I’ve been thinking too much
Help me

Sung by Twenty One Pilots
Copyright 2015, Fueled by Ramen

Twenty One Pilots’ release “Ride” has drawn considerable commentary. Since the song features enigmatic lyrics, music critics have suggested several interpretations for the song’s meaning.

Some have heard the song as conveying worries about death, seeing the “ride” as the journey toward the end of life. Others hear the song as more of an exposé of self-doubt as the character wonders what he might do in certain situations and clarifying what he really stands for. Still, others have heard the song as a metaphorical reference to living with the ups and downs of depression.

In a more general reference to their music, the band’s duo, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, state that they want to make music that “makes people think,” plus help others find joy in what they believe in life. Well, they have certainly attained their goals in “Ride”!

[hotblock]

As I listened to this song’s reggae-infused version of hip-hop, I thought more about the whole “ride,” that is, how all of us are invited by God to grow, change and deeply engage with the challenges that life brings.

Yes, we know that the “ride” is headed toward death, but death is not something to be worried about, as it is inevitable. Rather, the real question is: “How shall we live,” or perhaps better stated in the context of this song: “How shall we ride?”

If we attempt to answer these questions, the first thing to be noticed is how we never ride alone. Consequently, we need to think about how we want to journey with those who compose our lives. As Jesus’ disciples, we follow his example. Even when this ride gets bumpy, as it surely was for Jesus, we aspire to live out our faith and remember that God is always with us.

Yes, life can be painful at times, but we keep trust alive that our Creator will help us to find both healing and meaning for whatever is occurring. Thus, we lean on our ability to trust, and try to help others do likewise.

The song’s character states that “I’ve been thinking too much.” He suggests that his tendency to overanalyze leaves him even more bewildered. He is right. Not everything on this “ride” can be figured out.

As Jesus’ disciples, we accept that our lives contain a large element of mystery. We want to use all the gifts of mind that God has given us to form decisions and choices, but often we come back again to trust. Where reflection and thought can assist in our living, we draw upon it. What we cannot understand, we surrender to God and allow mystery to exist as a natural part of our lives.

Perhaps most important, as we go on life’s ride, we choose to love as Jesus loved. We seek goodness and well-being for each person that we meet along the journey. We willingly give forth from our kindness, generosity and, when necessary, forgiveness.

We accept that we can only do a little bit in helping to heal our hurting world, but we are not shy about doing what we can. We observe our family members, our school peers and those in our communities and ask, “What can I do to make their lives better?”

Our “ride” is actually a great adventure. There are plenty of unknowns, occasional miracles and, at times, surprise detours. Ultimately at life’s end, we come back to God and state joyfully, “Wow, what a ride!”

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Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@hughes.net, or at: 7125 West CR, 200 South, Rockport, IN 47635, or like this column on Facebook at “Charlie Martin’s Today’s Music Columns” and post a comment or suggestion.