Bandito

Album: Trench (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Trench is set in a world where nine dictatorial bishops control the inhabitants in the walled city of Dema. Twenty One Pilots lead singer Tyler Joseph's alter ego, Clancy, is among those looking to escape. This slow song finds him accepting his role as part of the Banditos, a rebel organization who rescue people trapped in Dema.

    I could take the high road
    But I know that I'm goin' low
    I'm a ban - I'm a bandito


    Tyler has explained that Clancy tries several time to escape Dema unsuccessfully until he finally makes it out by going underground.
  • Tyler Joseph talks in the chorus about how his songwriting and the fictional world he creates has helped him deal with the anxieties and pressures of everyday life.

    Sahlo Folina, Sahlo Folina
    I created this world to feel some control
    Destroy it if I want
    So I sing Sahlo Folina, Sahlo Folina, Sahlo


    Joseph explained to Coup de Main: "The lyric by itself kind of feels a little cocky or confident, but really, inside of the song, it's a moment where, if anything, it's admitting that the majority of the time you feel like there is no control. I think that's something special inside of creating art, and writing songs, is that you do have control of that - and that has, in a sense, filled me with a sense of purpose, and it's been very helpful for me, and in a way was encouraging other people to do their own version of that, because I've found a lot of strength in building something that is mine, that I have control of in a positive way."
  • "Sahlo Folina" is repeated several times throughout the song, serving as a hidden tribute to Twenty One Pilots' origins in Columbus, Ohio. When you unscramble the letters that make up the phrase, you get "all Ohio fans."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."