here's why im 99% sure bounce man is about ned: “i don't know if you've got your phone cause this went straight to voicemail” when someone asked tyler what happened to ned he said that ned's phone was off and he couldn't locate him at all; “my wife saw your face on the nightly news oh boy what did you do?” refers to the missing ned posters in the choker mv “if you need a piece, i'll break it down” tyler is offering help to ned, and the line is related to “can you build my house with pieces” from chlorine (which is the mv where ned first appeared in); “then you head to mexico” the chlorine location sessions were done in mexico city
Plus the line "shes been crying but ill tell her your fine" could be referring to tylers niece, who loves ned, i think there even a photo of her with a ned plushie
The fun thing about TØP Songs is that you can interpret them from two perspectives: A real world one and a lore one. So I think both the “Tyler is metaphorically showing his support for a person close to him no matter what” and the Ned Theory could both be right, that’s what I think.
I think exactly the same. This goes along with what they said about making songs that anyone can enjoy without pre-requisites, but always having a bigger story behind, connecting the songs.
I totally feel that! It's really neat that both interpretations fit because they are both stories that are told. I think the lore aspect could even tie in with the trench aspect of a "jumpsuit" where the person he is singing about (bounce man) could be helped from others to escape physical or mental challenges.
I agree, I think it’s about Ned for all the reasons we’ve heard & in the real world it’s about Zack too. Zack disappeared after being attacked with serious allegations (yet again) on social media. Ned is gone and Zack is gone. I know it’s not solid but something just hits me about the song and Zack is just off social media to the clique so idk, just my wild imagination, but I felt the same as you, it’s about lore and real life.
I just thought, ned running away from DEMA actually makes a lot of sense, because after the next album, Tyler's creativity will be running away from the world of DEMA.
@@makeitwithalex4483 that's so cool! I just watched your video. One of the theories I heard on a creators video is that this song is about Ned and that lyric is about her crying because Ned is gone.
Idk if it really impacts things, but they're right next to each other in the line up (9 & 10). Whoever the character is it's being sung to, it almost feels like a cops and robbers kind of thing. First we hear the sympathizer who's helping the escapee, while the following song is from the perspective of the pursuers, both sides committed to their cause.
I HAD A DREAM WHERE CLIFFORD ASKED ME WHAT BOUNCE MAN WAS ABOUT AND I SAID IVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOLLE SAY IT WAS ABOUT NED AND BE JUST SAID “no” AND LEFT 😭
Great analysis, Cliff! I personally think Bounce Man is a fun song Tyler wrote about two fictional characters and he and, likely, a creative team, fit it to the lore and tipped an interviewer to ask that question. It does fit the lore well, and I think Ned is the most likely link. That's fun, and one of the things that makes the band fantastic. But I'd guess that during the writing process it was just a fun song about two fictional characters.
I think he’s trying to help someone escape Dema. But they can’t say Dema since the bishops are listening in, so they talk about Mexico. It’s really code for the banditos camp in Trench, outside of Dema where he can be safe. Tyler can’t escape yet himself, but he will help his friend escape.
Here are my thoughts abt bounce man This one makes me real sad. Just feel like Tyler is talking to a désesperated friend of his who's tried committing suicide or who went totally crazy and drove away real far to escape society. They both wouldn't answer their phone, and they are the kind of people that are being told about in the nightly news. Especially the question "oh boy what d you do?" makes me think that the friend has done something really mad. Tyler would then invite him so that he feels not alone, and enjoy a simple moment with a friend. That's what many people do with desesperate friends. I love the knocking part, feel like he's talking about bishops here, and so Tyler would be a bandito and try to save his friend :"ain't no stopping me for you". But the fact is that the friend still didn't give any news, Tyler just invited him to his home and tried to make him feel better. He doesn't know where he is, and if he keeps not answering his phone, Tyler would know he "must had crossed state lines". This could literally mean that the friend left the country, or metaphorically, that he succeeded in suicide. He left his home and everything he knew, he wanted to escape, and he did it. The "she" who's been crying would probably be the mother or sister of the friend, realizing what he did. Tyler would then reassure her, saying the friend is better where he is now, whether it is really far away, or just not in this life. Like his life was just a burden for him, now he's fine. But an important line is "running away don't make you wrong". I feel like running away just links perfectly with my theory. Not to say that it is right though, just that the friend won't be overlooked as pathetic because of what he did. Tyler, though not supporting it, wouldn't put shame on him because he understands. I didn't mean this to be that long sorry This is such a great song
I thought about something like this. And the Mexico part made me think of "domingo en fuego". I was hesitant about this theory though because it sounds a little too much like Tyler being okay with suicide, when we know that's not the case whatsoever, especially in light of Neon Gravestones. HOWEVER they say that when trying to encourage someone to stay alive when they're suicidal it can be helpful to tell them they only have to get through this one day, and it leaves the door open for them doing it later, which pacifies their desire to do it in that moment, while keeping them alive, and giving them the chance to abandon the idea of suicide altogether.
It’s probably about josh. I thinks it’s more hypothetical like if he did commit a crime, I’ll do this this and this for you. He is a close friend of Jenna as well (she’s been crying is Jenna). In this album specifically he has gone through many hypothetical stories and scenarios. Think redecorate.
Okay, here’s a long theory, please bear with me. I believe that many of the songs presented within the TØP catalog are either to or from Clancy and they happen in a specific order. Here is my hypothesis. The songs FROM Clancy are: The Hype Message Man The Run & Go Addict With A Pen I know that Addict With A Pen might throw you off, but I believe the whole “father/son” aspect in that song is a guise so that he can send the message to Tyler without getting caught. Songs TO Clancy are: Bounce Man No Chances My Blood No Chances is kind of a weird one. It’s from multiple points of view (Tyler, the Banditos, and DEMA). Also, I believe that the brotherly aspect is once again either a guise or an analogy, saying that Tyler thinks of Clancy as a brother. So here’s the songs in order of occurence in the TØP timeline: Message Man (identity) The Run & Go (Clancy killed someone in DEMA and is escaping) Bounce Man (Tyler’s point of view from the same point in time as Run & Go) Addict With A Pen (Clancy’s in hiding, but it’s also been a while since they’ve talked My Blood (Tyler offering his hand for Clancy) The Hype (“Nice to know my kind will be on my side” meaning Clancy accepts Tyler’s hand in hlp) Tell me what you think!
I don' t think it's literally in Mexico, I think he used a metaphor about going to Mexico (the first language in there is spanish) and going to the bandito's camp (bandito is a word in spanish)
I like the Ned theory. Never thought of it like that. And I always assumed it was like an old friend and interpreted it that way…but the Ned theory could be true!
I always thought the woman in this song was Tyler’s mom. Because when someone says “you’re old man” it typically is referring to someone’s dad so I just assumed that “I’ll let my old lady know” meant he would let his mom know. I also feel like it would be a little weird to refer to your wife as you’re old lady. But maybe that’s just me lol.
I like that it’s the sequel to the Run and Go. If we go with this, and it’s a friend of the person on run and go, that person in Run and Go is losing their faith and is on a place of spiritual uncertainty. Then is Bounce Man the friend is leaving is faith and Tyler is saying that it’s okay, the line “running away don’t make wrong” and that he’s still here for him no matter what choice he makes even if he wants to Bounce away from Christianity or faith, the song becomes a metaphor for someone you are watching as a believer make different choices than you would.
I completely thought this was about Josh, and imagining what would happen if Josh had to flee the country. Similar to good day, Tyler seems to be imagining a lot of situations on this record, and thinking out his response. The line “she’ll be crying” could be about Debby. All the other theories make sense too, but I thought of josh when I first heard it.
These are all interesting theories. My first impression of this song was that it was lore related. Specifically since the rest of the album is about Tyler not currently trying to escape dema but instead being more under it's control I thought this song pointed to the fact that even if Tyler didn't currently feel up to an escape himself (a la Leave the City) that he was still there to support and help those who were trying to get out. I saw this song as a show of support for any fans, banditos, or maybe even Clancy who were making efforts to leave. That Ned theory though has some good points.
The quote that you read that you weren't sure about is from the ET Canada interview, the question is at 6:50 of the video, here's the link: th-cam.com/video/XuEFpjL4ro0/w-d-xo.html
Here’s the thing tho. Bounce man comes right before No Chances And in no chances it’s about the Bishops wanting to get people who were trying to escape back This is why I believe it might actually be about Clancy
Maybe it’s like all a metaphor for someone else he knows that’s having trouble with their thoughts and depression or something and him and Jenna were worried and he’s not answering their phone
Message man " I'm wanted and on the run." Bounce man" you should bounce man. Float you a couple bands then you'll head to mexico." Ok so someone has done something.
Tyler said in a recent interview that there’s one more album and it’s the final album that ends the Dema Story! The Ned Theory definitely makes the most sense! Also I was wondering, Is it possible that Clancy is Jay Joseph?
@@smilefishyish I don’t have any evidence. I actually just started playing with the idea. Redecorate put the thought in my head. In Jay’s music he talks about his substance abuse, his jealousy and Insecurity of Tyler’s fame! He says something like “what if I had gone first?” I feel like that’s who the last part of the song is about! It’s Clancy’s handwriting On the official lyric video. In the interview where Tyler explains that Shy Away is about Jay, he said “The one thing harder than finding your own purpose is watching someone you love struggling to find there’s” I need to go back and reread the Clancy letters, but from what I remember Clancy’s watching Tyler (which is what a younger brother would do) and at one point he decides Dema might be a good safe place? The Clancy’s dead, made me think of what family members go through when a loved one is an addict and what the addict feels about himself! There’s comes a point when you feel like the person they once where is gone forever and in a sense that’s true! Even if they recover there’s a loss of innocence that changes you and you can never get it back! The perfect example is Frodo In the Lord of the Rings! Frodo starts out full of joy and innocence, he looses himself on his journey but finds himself at the end but he’s changed! It might not fit but I thought it was worth looking into!
@@prone2wonder704 "second guessing my direction I don't need to soul search..". But Tyler's music is 2 personal to make an album abt his brother as a whole,instead he would make mentions. Also Dema is kind of connected to blurryface so I don't think so..
@@xodroraccoon I completely agree! I always assumed that it was all Tyler, but when this Album came out my family keep telling me I was crazy that Clancy and Tyler were definitely not the same person! It didn’t make sense to me but I thought I would try to see it their way. All of the theories they threw at me made absolutely no sense so I started thinking ( against what I believed) and that’s the only thing I could come up with! I’m happy to say they have come over to my way of thinking! It was really fun though! I actually thought after several interviews that it was possible! Thank you! I was so excited I rarely get responded to !!!! 😊
Thank you for this explanation! I first thought that maybe the song was from the perspective of Josh to Tyler. Reason being, in the livestream there's a sign for Bounce Bail Bonds. Wondered if that would be run by the Bishops/DEMA and Tyler is on the run from them. But now thinking it's Ned and not Tyler based on your video.
I think this song is kinda inspired in The Run and Go, but it isn't exactly connected. It's the same metaphor, but with a different meaning. I believe that each song in this album has a double meaning: one inside the lore and other outside the lore. In the lore, I'm pretty sure it is about Ned, and Ned is probably running away from the Bishops. But outside of the lore, it can be applied to Tyler's friends, and it doesn't need to be taken literally, this person could be running away from anything for any reason, and Tyler's basically saying: "I'm here for you, I won't judge you, feel free to come to me whenever you need to run away from your problems".
I accidentally wrote a whole essay on this so here you go When I first listened to this song, I interpreted it as being about an old friend. As for the "we'll sing one more song" line, that could be about so many people, not just Ned or Josh. Assuming Tyler stayed good friends with Chris Salih and Nick Thomas, it could be about either one of them. His brother Zack is also featured in some of their older music like Kitchen Sink, so it could be him as well. For the line "She's been crying", it would make the most sense if this is from Tyler's pov for the woman to be Jenna since she's the only other woman referenced in this song. For how that helps us find how who the person is, I think Zack is the most likely one. I don't think Jenna would be close to Chris or Thomas, so why would she be crying over them? Since Jenna is married to Tyler she's likely very close with his side of the family so it would obviously upset her if something happened to one of them. Although I'm not ruling out the possibility of it being Ned, in my opinion, I think they said that in the interview as kind of a joke and a way to leave behind Ned's character for now as we move into this new era. Along with that, I think it would be very abstract to have a jackelope symbolizing creativity to be running from the law. It doesn't make much sense to me. It is possible Tyler had an actual friend who was on the run and this is who that is about, but out of the people we know, none of them are on the run. This makes me think the song is more theoretical, saying that if they were ever in trouble, Tyler would help them. My conclusion: From what we know, this song is most likely about Zack Joseph.
I would love to hear your ranking of the new songs, like you did with the songs on trench😊 Also thank you for all the explanations they're really helpful to me😊
it is definitely connected to chlorine and the run and go. it is about ned for a couple different reasons that have already been commented. it is connected to chlorine because of ned and also because of the lines (bounce man) “if you need a piece i’ll break it down” and (chlorine) “can you build my house with pieces.” and the run and go seems to be from the opposite perspective from bounce man. it also has a line “don’t want to give you all my pieces” which connects it to chlorine and bounce man.
Personally i think „going to mexico“ means going south, since they are located in america. And tyler often wrote about south being going down..remember „east is up“ and up is hope and escaping.. so going to mexico, going south (down) is quite the opposite..
Oh my god "and I begin to envy the headlights driving south" "I forgot about the drought of lightbulbs in this house, so I head out, down the road I think it's heading south"
I always thought the run and go was singing to Tyler's mom, like he doesn't want to just lay all his problems before his mom, doesn't want to burden her too much, but could use her help at the time of singing. But that would mean if it were connected to bounce man he'd be singing for his mom, and as little as i know about tyler's mom, i don't think she'd use the slang terms the song uses so much... idk, i'm just guessing.
Purely because so few people like this song, I feel like it has to be the final piece of the lore puzzle and the obvious answer is hidden somewhere in it.
One way to look at the song is that it is about loyalty and friendship. How close of a friend can you be to someone. Would you really have someone's back if they killed someone? Would you trust them? Would you be scared of them? Would you help them leave the country? Would you risk your own life for them? Who are you more loyal to? The government or your friends and family? Would you break the law for them? Maybe it's about Evil forces in the world and being ready to fight them. A willingness to fight for something to the death. Go all the way for someone.
this is a theme that for whatever reason tyler has returned to a lot in his music, with run and go being obvious, message man has the line "im wanted and on the run" and now this has lots of nods to that idea, its interesting but im not sure what to make of it
The Ned theory is quite good. I always think the reason he goes missing is because he’s supposed to be Tyler’s creativity and after every album Tyler has been said to been burnt out from work. :)
I think it's addressed to someone loosing their faith in God and letting them know you are still there for them. I've seen a lot of friendships ruined because of people leaving a church or religion and it's just Tyler saying even though your leaving, I'm still your friend and there for you
This is also about how Clancy is escaping Dema, and the Bandit's, Tyler, and Clancy are discussing the escape plan backwards. (play SAI backwards, and this will make more sense.)
Small change: “Soldiers on my pedigree” is more a reference to what rap/hip hop would refer to as his people… or this case his banditos. A general reference to “I got people that are willing to help me with anything.” I also always assumed it was theoretical about an old close friend and what he’d be willing to do for them. And in that case “she’s been crying” is the persons gf/wife. (Josh’s?)
Ned.... (and old lady is wife, jenna). Tyler has publicly said that Ned is missing. Choker window shows ned with sign "have you seen..".. and "we'll sing one more song"" and ned inspires his music chlorine.. also, maybe dema supressing Tyler's music creativity (ned)...I know tyler is deep but i think this song does not refer to past songs like run n go..too much.. ((2nd possible is Clancy)).
I think it’s about Josh not being in dema or escaping, during the stream Tyler never looked at him and same with the music videos, the bishops asked where he was, and Jenna was worried about. Plus Josh told Tyler what amenities are at Disney land because he didn’t know what it was
If it's to Clancy or Ned 'yeah i told you all along running away don't make you wrong' could be reassurance saying like 'don't let the bishops discourage you, keep running from Dema, leave the city'
I think that Tyler is talking to Clancy telling him that he should come to his safe house, and he will tell Jenna that Clancy is on his way out of Dema, and then they both will be on their way out to Mexico (code word for out of Dema), but if played only forward Tyler dies in the last song, and they don't escape, so it depends on how you listen to it. This story has two possible endings, either Clancy, and Tyler plan their escape in bounce man, and they leave Dema together, or the story progresses all the way through going forward, and Tyler dies. It's up to the listeners.
Have you ever thought Bounce and No Chances are part of the same story? No Chances is sang from multiple perspectives including one stepping up to battle. Bounce would be Tyler's concern for that person/entity. What if the bishops are targeting Ned (Tyler's Creativity) and it is Ned facing off in the octagon? Ned in the end is running from the bishops when Tyler reaches out in Bounce. Probably way off but a thought...
It’s just a simple and fun ballad about helping a friend escape the country after they’ve committed a crime. Don’t overthink it. If it’s about anyone, it’s about Josh, his band mate. They’ll play one more song before he leaves, and Tyler will let Josh’s wife know he’s fine.
I think it's a guy who fled his normal boring live, he has gone missing and thus is on the news. In my country (the Netherlands) we have a song by acda en de Munnik wich is about the same thing it felt very alike for me.
I’m probably wrong on this, but apart from the actual meaning of the song I think it’s a warning for us, telling us to bounce out of the album. This would fit with shy away telling us not to circle the track and to break the cycle in half. Plus the next songs are the ones with the most different sounds, the “not happy” songs
I like that it might be about Josh in a hypothetical scenario much like in Good Day. That the "She" is his wife Debbie crying. I do also like the idea of Ned because he is a jackalope which is part rabbit and rabbits bounce/hop. The "She" at that point could be Ro because as a kid who wouldn't love and believe in a jackalope?
My working theory was that this song was about the father (due to the line "let me ask my old lady" because no one our age would refer to their wife like this") of someone in DEMA that spoke out against the bishops in "Never Take It." Because of this, they have to run from whoever is chasing them in Shy Away. The father is desperately trying to reach Bounce Man to help save him even for a little bit so he can have a chance to escape to "The Outside" I have a whole theory that all the songs are in a different chronological order telling the story of someone (possibly Tyler) who failed to escape, got caught, and then was plugged into a propaganda machine (Good Day) to start spreading the good message despite them being mentally tortured by watching a simulation of ever awful thing in the world happening to them ("lost my job, my wife, amd my child, homie just sued me") and then being forced to not be allowed to feel anything but happy as they sing because the bishops are torturing them
Ned is probably running away from Dema for the simple fact that he swam in chlorine water. Maybe chlorine is illegal in Dema because it causes Ned’s horns to grow and maybe the Bishops don’t like that? After all, he only comes out if enough chlorine is poured into the water... It already looked like he was hiding not because of Tyler and Josh, but maybe he knows they are fugitives of Dema and he doesn’t want to be tricked to going back? I don’t know, I’m just trying to spark more theories lol. (Edit: Plus in the refrain of Chlorine, what if that’s Ned singing “I’m running for my life”?)
This is kind of irrelevant but I noticed this myself. The faint “break it down” that repeats after Tyler sings “break it down” in the chorus is the same sample that Jon Bellion uses in his song Hand Of God. It’s just a little slowed down in this song
Jay Joseph has a song called Jump Man and the similarities of the titles are odd. Jay also mentions "22 y.o and I'm still talking to jump man" which is obviously a reference to praying. Iean Bounce/Jump is kind of the same thing.
Maybe this song is from the perspective of the banditos and they want Tyler to escape. And no chances is from the perspective of the bishops, therefore they’re songs from each side
I’ve always pictured Tyler singing this about Josh for some reason 😂😂 Because if Josh did anything bad and needed to escape Tyler would 100% do this for him
oh i didnt think it was about ned thats interesting. It could be about blurryface too. I say this because Jay helped out with vocals on this song and also has a song called jumpman. However it's like in this song bounce is a verb but jumpman is like the word jump is used as a noun with the title. Idk it's just what I thought. This could work because now blurryface is leaving his life since he's like achieving happiness with rosie and jenna and settling down so its like blurryface is leaving his life more and more every day. Whereas in jumpman its like jay is still experiencing the negative type thoughts that are similar to blurryface but called jumpman instead
If Clancy was trapped in Dema, and the bishops couldn't escape, I think the bandito's, and Tyler would help him escape Dema, and if Dema is in Blurryface, and Blurryface represents our insecurities, wouldn't we all want to help our friends escape their insecurities?
Oh my God this is obviously about Rosie. Rosie when she is older Tyler is sinking to her but it doesn't matter what he does he will stay by her which makes extra sense seeing that by the time this song would be in use Jenna would be an old lady cuz I don't think Jenna would appreciate Tyler calling her his old lady
It would be incredibly satisfying if Tyler was referring to the song from an earlier album intentionally, but I think that's a stretch for the same reason mentioned in the video... He's talking to God there. With all of these songs, there is a triple meaning to DEMA, the various metaphors they create, and something real in our culture. So, it's probably to Ned and also a metaphor for someone (probably on the outskirts of society) Tyler would help get out of their situation.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 90 | คู่เอก "ก้องไกล vs แอนตาร์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VugIvOstzRI/mqdefault.jpg)
here's why im 99% sure bounce man is about ned:
“i don't know if you've got your phone cause this went straight to voicemail” when someone asked tyler what happened to ned he said that ned's phone was off and he couldn't locate him at all;
“my wife saw your face on the nightly news oh boy what did you do?” refers to the missing ned posters in the choker mv
“if you need a piece, i'll break it down” tyler is offering help to ned, and the line is related to “can you build my house with pieces” from chlorine (which is the mv where ned first appeared in);
“then you head to mexico” the chlorine location sessions were done in mexico city
Smart
Plus the line "shes been crying but ill tell her your fine" could be referring to tylers niece, who loves ned, i think there even a photo of her with a ned plushie
This makes so much sense tbh
@@joanafernandes85 Mia
99% sure you are right
The fun thing about TØP Songs is that you can interpret them from two perspectives: A real world one and a lore one. So I think both the “Tyler is metaphorically showing his support for a person close to him no matter what” and the Ned Theory could both be right, that’s what I think.
I think exactly the same. This goes along with what they said about making songs that anyone can enjoy without pre-requisites, but always having a bigger story behind, connecting the songs.
I totally feel that! It's really neat that both interpretations fit because they are both stories that are told. I think the lore aspect could even tie in with the trench aspect of a "jumpsuit" where the person he is singing about (bounce man) could be helped from others to escape physical or mental challenges.
I agree, I think it’s about Ned for all the reasons we’ve heard & in the real world it’s about Zack too. Zack disappeared after being attacked with serious allegations (yet again) on social media. Ned is gone and Zack is gone. I know it’s not solid but something just hits me about the song and Zack is just off social media to the clique so idk, just my wild imagination, but I felt the same as you, it’s about lore and real life.
I just thought, ned running away from DEMA actually makes a lot of sense, because after the next album, Tyler's creativity will be running away from the world of DEMA.
Little Talks again
I think 100% NED. Even ‘so where are you, it’s been a little while’ sounds like a voicemail message
Wait I didn’t think of this!!
Hol' up... The first line from chlorine
I love love love how confusing Bounce Man is. It's like we are detectives and it's amazing
Ikr? :D
I heard Tyler's niece LOVES Ned. Has a Ned doll and cries when he's not around.
yes, Mia, that was the Ned plushie I made :)
@@makeitwithalex4483 that's so cool! I just watched your video.
One of the theories I heard on a creators video is that this song is about Ned and that lyric is about her crying because Ned is gone.
@@makeitwithalex4483 Did you happen to give that doll to Tyler at the San Antonio date?? :0
Hey Message Man also mentions being wanted and the run
Umm the run and go does too😂
I feel like Bounce Man and No Chances are connected because both talk about how people are being hunted down for some reason
I agree! In No Chances he sings“ run away run away” and in Bounce Man he sings “ running away don’t make you wrong”
Message Man: "I'm wanted and on the run"
Chlorine: "I'm running for my life"
Idk if it really impacts things, but they're right next to each other in the line up (9 & 10). Whoever the character is it's being sung to, it almost feels like a cops and robbers kind of thing. First we hear the sympathizer who's helping the escapee, while the following song is from the perspective of the pursuers, both sides committed to their cause.
I HAD A DREAM WHERE CLIFFORD ASKED ME WHAT BOUNCE MAN WAS ABOUT AND I SAID IVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOLLE SAY IT WAS ABOUT NED AND BE JUST SAID “no” AND LEFT 😭
Haha, kind of sounds like me. Not gonna lie.
Old friend and ned theory makes sense. It was probably inspired by an old friend and then NED expanded it. Also, the location session was in mexico
I think the quote you've read for theory 2 is from the apple music interview
Great analysis, Cliff! I personally think Bounce Man is a fun song Tyler wrote about two fictional characters and he and, likely, a creative team, fit it to the lore and tipped an interviewer to ask that question. It does fit the lore well, and I think Ned is the most likely link. That's fun, and one of the things that makes the band fantastic. But I'd guess that during the writing process it was just a fun song about two fictional characters.
You have been my go-to for twenty one pilots theories for a couple years now. I love these.
I think he’s trying to help someone escape Dema. But they can’t say Dema since the bishops are listening in, so they talk about Mexico. It’s really code for the banditos camp in Trench, outside of Dema where he can be safe. Tyler can’t escape yet himself, but he will help his friend escape.
Here are my thoughts abt bounce man
This one makes me real sad.
Just feel like Tyler is talking to a désesperated friend of his who's tried committing suicide or who went totally crazy and drove away real far to escape society. They both wouldn't answer their phone, and they are the kind of people that are being told about in the nightly news. Especially the question "oh boy what d you do?" makes me think that the friend has done something really mad. Tyler would then invite him so that he feels not alone, and enjoy a simple moment with a friend. That's what many people do with desesperate friends.
I love the knocking part, feel like he's talking about bishops here, and so Tyler would be a bandito and try to save his friend :"ain't no stopping me for you".
But the fact is that the friend still didn't give any news, Tyler just invited him to his home and tried to make him feel better. He doesn't know where he is, and if he keeps not answering his phone, Tyler would know he "must had crossed state lines". This could literally mean that the friend left the country, or metaphorically, that he succeeded in suicide. He left his home and everything he knew, he wanted to escape, and he did it.
The "she" who's been crying would probably be the mother or sister of the friend, realizing what he did. Tyler would then reassure her, saying the friend is better where he is now, whether it is really far away, or just not in this life. Like his life was just a burden for him, now he's fine.
But an important line is "running away don't make you wrong". I feel like running away just links perfectly with my theory. Not to say that it is right though, just that the friend won't be overlooked as pathetic because of what he did. Tyler, though not supporting it, wouldn't put shame on him because he understands.
I didn't mean this to be that long sorry
This is such a great song
This is a very good way to put it. Not a bad theory
@@jaleelbrown9429 thanks man
wow it is a nice way to understand this
I thought about something like this. And the Mexico part made me think of "domingo en fuego". I was hesitant about this theory though because it sounds a little too much like Tyler being okay with suicide, when we know that's not the case whatsoever, especially in light of Neon Gravestones. HOWEVER they say that when trying to encourage someone to stay alive when they're suicidal it can be helpful to tell them they only have to get through this one day, and it leaves the door open for them doing it later, which pacifies their desire to do it in that moment, while keeping them alive, and giving them the chance to abandon the idea of suicide altogether.
It’s probably about josh. I thinks it’s more hypothetical like if he did commit a crime, I’ll do this this and this for you. He is a close friend of Jenna as well (she’s been crying is Jenna). In this album specifically he has gone through many hypothetical stories and scenarios. Think redecorate.
This is definitely a top 3 song on the album, in my book it’s the best
Okay, here’s a long theory, please bear with me.
I believe that many of the songs presented within the TØP catalog are either to or from Clancy and they happen in a specific order. Here is my hypothesis. The songs FROM Clancy are:
The Hype
Message Man
The Run & Go
Addict With A Pen
I know that Addict With A Pen might throw you off, but I believe the whole “father/son” aspect in that song is a guise so that he can send the message to Tyler without getting caught. Songs TO Clancy are:
Bounce Man
No Chances
My Blood
No Chances is kind of a weird one. It’s from multiple points of view (Tyler, the Banditos, and DEMA). Also, I believe that the brotherly aspect is once again either a guise or an analogy, saying that Tyler thinks of Clancy as a brother. So here’s the songs in order of occurence in the TØP timeline:
Message Man (identity)
The Run & Go (Clancy killed someone in DEMA and is escaping)
Bounce Man (Tyler’s point of view from the same point in time as Run & Go)
Addict With A Pen (Clancy’s in hiding, but it’s also been a while since they’ve talked
My Blood (Tyler offering his hand for Clancy)
The Hype (“Nice to know my kind will be on my side” meaning Clancy accepts Tyler’s hand in hlp)
Tell me what you think!
I think this song is about someone escaping Dema and going to the bandito's camp. Spanish is the language in Mexico and bandito is a word in spaninsh
So is the camp located somewhere in Mexico and that's why he's fleeing there?
I don' t think it's literally in Mexico, I think he used a metaphor about going to Mexico (the first language in there is spanish) and going to the bandito's camp (bandito is a word in spanish)
Alsoo, remember tyler calling someone on the payphone at a gas station in the shy away video? Could be connected to the ned theory somehow
I like the Ned theory. Never thought of it like that. And I always assumed it was like an old friend and interpreted it that way…but the Ned theory could be true!
I always thought the woman in this song was Tyler’s mom. Because when someone says “you’re old man” it typically is referring to someone’s dad so I just assumed that “I’ll let my old lady know” meant he would let his mom know. I also feel like it would be a little weird to refer to your wife as you’re old lady. But maybe that’s just me lol.
100% Agree!
Old lady is slang term many people use to refer to their wife
I like that it’s the sequel to the Run and Go. If we go with this, and it’s a friend of the person on run and go, that person in Run and Go is losing their faith and is on a place of spiritual uncertainty. Then is Bounce Man the friend is leaving is faith and Tyler is saying that it’s okay, the line “running away don’t make wrong” and that he’s still here for him no matter what choice he makes even if he wants to Bounce away from Christianity or faith, the song becomes a metaphor for someone you are watching as a believer make different choices than you would.
I like that , makes a lot of sense to me
I completely thought this was about Josh, and imagining what would happen if Josh had to flee the country. Similar to good day, Tyler seems to be imagining a lot of situations on this record, and thinking out his response. The line “she’ll be crying” could be about Debby. All the other theories make sense too, but I thought of josh when I first heard it.
These are all interesting theories. My first impression of this song was that it was lore related. Specifically since the rest of the album is about Tyler not currently trying to escape dema but instead being more under it's control I thought this song pointed to the fact that even if Tyler didn't currently feel up to an escape himself (a la Leave the City) that he was still there to support and help those who were trying to get out. I saw this song as a show of support for any fans, banditos, or maybe even Clancy who were making efforts to leave. That Ned theory though has some good points.
😱😱 I think this is it
Like he's staying behind as a last stop safe space to help others get out
This album's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
Its okay though, because it represents... Better yet, it is who I feel I am when I listen to it.
😆
I see what you did there.
“If you need a piece ill break it down” - Bounce man
“Can you build my house from pieces…”- Chlorine
The quote that you read that you weren't sure about is from the ET Canada interview, the question is at 6:50 of the video, here's the link:
th-cam.com/video/XuEFpjL4ro0/w-d-xo.html
This was really interesting video, thank you!
Here’s the thing tho.
Bounce man comes right before No Chances
And in no chances it’s about the Bishops wanting to get people who were trying to escape back
This is why I believe it might actually be about Clancy
Yes! Finally! Thank you 😊
I always thought it was about Ned ❤️ Still can't figure out who is "she" that is still crying...
Hey clifford, I love your videos and I love your thoughts, great video, hope to see more amazing videos
Maybe it’s like all a metaphor for someone else he knows that’s having trouble with their thoughts and depression or something and him and Jenna were worried and he’s not answering their phone
Ya that’s what I think
Message man " I'm wanted and on the run."
Bounce man" you should bounce man. Float you a couple bands then you'll head to mexico."
Ok so someone has done something.
Tyler said in a recent interview that there’s one more album and it’s the final album that ends the Dema Story! The Ned Theory definitely makes the most sense! Also I was wondering, Is it possible that Clancy is Jay Joseph?
How would Clancy be Jay? Just curious what evidence you have for that!
@@smilefishyish I don’t have any evidence. I actually just started playing with the idea. Redecorate put the thought in my head. In Jay’s music he talks about his substance abuse, his jealousy and Insecurity of Tyler’s fame! He says something like “what if I had gone first?” I feel like that’s who the last part of the song is about! It’s Clancy’s handwriting On the official lyric video. In the interview where Tyler explains that Shy Away is about Jay, he said “The one thing harder than finding your own purpose is watching someone you love struggling to find there’s”
I need to go back and reread the Clancy letters, but from what I remember Clancy’s watching Tyler (which is what a younger brother would do) and at one point he decides Dema might be a good safe place? The Clancy’s dead, made me think of what family members go through when a loved one is an addict and what the addict feels about himself! There’s comes a point when you feel like the person they once where is gone forever and in a sense that’s true! Even if they recover there’s a loss of innocence that changes you and you can never get it back! The perfect example is Frodo In the Lord of the Rings! Frodo starts out full of joy and innocence, he looses himself on his journey but finds himself at the end but he’s changed! It might not fit but I thought it was worth looking into!
@@prone2wonder704 "second guessing my direction I don't need to soul search..". But Tyler's music is 2 personal to make an album abt his brother as a whole,instead he would make mentions. Also Dema is kind of connected to blurryface so I don't think so..
@@xodroraccoon I completely agree! I always assumed that it was all Tyler, but when this Album came out my family keep telling me I was crazy that Clancy and Tyler were definitely not the same person! It didn’t make sense to me but I thought I would try to see it their way. All of the theories they threw at me made absolutely no sense so I started thinking ( against what I believed) and that’s the only thing I could come up with! I’m happy to say they have come over to my way of thinking! It was really fun though! I actually thought after several interviews that it was possible! Thank you! I was so excited I rarely get responded to !!!! 😊
Thank you for this explanation! I first thought that maybe the song was from the perspective of Josh to Tyler. Reason being, in the livestream there's a sign for Bounce Bail Bonds. Wondered if that would be run by the Bishops/DEMA and Tyler is on the run from them. But now thinking it's Ned and not Tyler based on your video.
I believe the people Tyler’s talking to is credited on the Wikipedia
I think it’s Jay Joseph and a couple other people.
I think this song is kinda inspired in The Run and Go, but it isn't exactly connected. It's the same metaphor, but with a different meaning.
I believe that each song in this album has a double meaning: one inside the lore and other outside the lore. In the lore, I'm pretty sure it is about Ned, and Ned is probably running away from the Bishops.
But outside of the lore, it can be applied to Tyler's friends, and it doesn't need to be taken literally, this person could be running away from anything for any reason, and Tyler's basically saying: "I'm here for you, I won't judge you, feel free to come to me whenever you need to run away from your problems".
I accidentally wrote a whole essay on this so here you go
When I first listened to this song, I interpreted it as being about an old friend. As for the "we'll sing one more song" line, that could be about so many people, not just Ned or Josh. Assuming Tyler stayed good friends with Chris Salih and Nick Thomas, it could be about either one of them. His brother Zack is also featured in some of their older music like Kitchen Sink, so it could be him as well.
For the line "She's been crying", it would make the most sense if this is from Tyler's pov for the woman to be Jenna since she's the only other woman referenced in this song. For how that helps us find how who the person is, I think Zack is the most likely one. I don't think Jenna would be close to Chris or Thomas, so why would she be crying over them? Since Jenna is married to Tyler she's likely very close with his side of the family so it would obviously upset her if something happened to one of them.
Although I'm not ruling out the possibility of it being Ned, in my opinion, I think they said that in the interview as kind of a joke and a way to leave behind Ned's character for now as we move into this new era. Along with that, I think it would be very abstract to have a jackelope symbolizing creativity to be running from the law. It doesn't make much sense to me.
It is possible Tyler had an actual friend who was on the run and this is who that is about, but out of the people we know, none of them are on the run. This makes me think the song is more theoretical, saying that if they were ever in trouble, Tyler would help them.
My conclusion: From what we know, this song is most likely about Zack Joseph.
I would love to hear your ranking of the new songs, like you did with the songs on trench😊 Also thank you for all the explanations they're really helpful to me😊
I interpret "running away don't make you wrong" as a kind of counter argument to the phrase "why run if you've got nothing to hide".
it is definitely connected to chlorine and the run and go. it is about ned for a couple different reasons that have already been commented. it is connected to chlorine because of ned and also because of the lines (bounce man) “if you need a piece i’ll break it down” and (chlorine) “can you build my house with pieces.” and the run and go seems to be from the opposite perspective from bounce man. it also has a line “don’t want to give you all my pieces” which connects it to chlorine and bounce man.
Personally i think „going to mexico“ means going south, since they are located in america. And tyler often wrote about south being going down..remember „east is up“ and up is hope and escaping.. so going to mexico, going south (down) is quite the opposite..
if u take it literally tho. if east is up and becomes the new north then in relation south would be the new east and west would be the new south
If east is up then isn't south moving sideways? (Mulberry street?)
Oh my god "and I begin to envy the headlights driving south"
"I forgot about the drought of lightbulbs in this house, so I head out, down the road I think it's heading south"
@@coco-cu9xf finish that verse, "I probably should have stayed inside my house"
I like to think that Bounce Man could be connected to Message Man
in Message Man, Tyler sings "I'm wanted and on the run"
I always thought the run and go was singing to Tyler's mom, like he doesn't want to just lay all his problems before his mom, doesn't want to burden her too much, but could use her help at the time of singing. But that would mean if it were connected to bounce man he'd be singing for his mom, and as little as i know about tyler's mom, i don't think she'd use the slang terms the song uses so much... idk, i'm just guessing.
I always assumed Tyler was talking about his mom in ‘Run & Go’ too, when he was still living at home and having night terrors/anxiety
I’m personally a huge fan of the Ned theory
Purely because so few people like this song, I feel like it has to be the final piece of the lore puzzle and the obvious answer is hidden somewhere in it.
Theory 4 connection... The Chlorine location sessions is in Mexico.
One way to look at the song is that it is about loyalty and friendship. How close of a friend can you be to someone. Would you really have someone's back if they killed someone? Would you trust them? Would you be scared of them? Would you help them leave the country? Would you risk your own life for them? Who are you more loyal to? The government or your friends and family? Would you break the law for them? Maybe it's about Evil forces in the world and being ready to fight them. A willingness to fight for something to the death. Go all the way for someone.
this is a theme that for whatever reason tyler has returned to a lot in his music, with run and go being obvious, message man has the line "im wanted and on the run" and now this has lots of nods to that idea, its interesting but im not sure what to make of it
The Ned theory is quite good. I always think the reason he goes missing is because he’s supposed to be Tyler’s creativity and after every album Tyler has been said to been burnt out from work. :)
I think it's addressed to someone loosing their faith in God and letting them know you are still there for them. I've seen a lot of friendships ruined because of people leaving a church or religion and it's just Tyler saying even though your leaving, I'm still your friend and there for you
Thanks for the vid! helped my understanding of this song greatly!
This is also about how Clancy is escaping Dema, and the Bandit's, Tyler, and Clancy are discussing the escape plan backwards. (play SAI backwards, and this will make more sense.)
Small change: “Soldiers on my pedigree” is more a reference to what rap/hip hop would refer to as his people… or this case his banditos. A general reference to “I got people that are willing to help me with anything.”
I also always assumed it was theoretical about an old close friend and what he’d be willing to do for them. And in that case “she’s been crying” is the persons gf/wife. (Josh’s?)
Ned.... (and old lady is wife, jenna). Tyler has publicly said that Ned is missing. Choker window shows ned with sign "have you seen..".. and "we'll sing one more song"" and ned inspires his music chlorine.. also, maybe dema supressing Tyler's music creativity (ned)...I know tyler is deep but i think this song does not refer to past songs like run n go..too much.. ((2nd possible is Clancy)).
I think it’s about Josh not being in dema or escaping, during the stream Tyler never looked at him and same with the music videos, the bishops asked where he was, and Jenna was worried about. Plus Josh told Tyler what amenities are at Disney land because he didn’t know what it was
No lie, I'm convinced by the Ned theory
For a while I thought it was Josh that he's singing to, but I think it also makes sense for it to be Ned
I think you're right bout this song's message being a metaphor cuz after all Tyler has said before, "metaphorically I'm the man" lol!
If it's to Clancy or Ned 'yeah i told you all along running away don't make you wrong' could be reassurance saying like 'don't let the bishops discourage you, keep running from Dema, leave the city'
I think that Tyler is talking to Clancy telling him that he should come to his safe house, and he will tell Jenna that Clancy is on his way out of Dema, and then they both will be on their way out to Mexico (code word for out of Dema), but if played only forward Tyler dies in the last song, and they don't escape, so it depends on how you listen to it. This story has two possible endings, either Clancy, and Tyler plan their escape in bounce man, and they leave Dema together, or the story progresses all the way through going forward, and Tyler dies. It's up to the listeners.
Have you ever thought Bounce and No Chances are part of the same story? No Chances is sang from multiple perspectives including one stepping up to battle. Bounce would be Tyler's concern for that person/entity. What if the bishops are targeting Ned (Tyler's Creativity) and it is Ned facing off in the octagon? Ned in the end is running from the bishops when Tyler reaches out in Bounce.
Probably way off but a thought...
Ned is the good good friend from the run and go lol and he is with the banditos helping tyler write for the banditos-Creativity in song 😉
I support you the ned theory and the girl who is crying is Rosie because she really likes Ned.
Could it be Rosie? Still can't figure that out... Always thought it was about Ned, but that quote about someone who is crying was confusing...
It’s just a simple and fun ballad about helping a friend escape the country after they’ve committed a crime. Don’t overthink it.
If it’s about anyone, it’s about Josh, his band mate. They’ll play one more song before he leaves, and Tyler will let Josh’s wife know he’s fine.
Ned (Tyler's creativity) has run away to try and keep it safe from DEMA - also, Ned is real, Cliff
Nice video 👍
I think it's a guy who fled his normal boring live, he has gone missing and thus is on the news. In my country (the Netherlands) we have a song by acda en de Munnik wich is about the same thing it felt very alike for me.
That quote is from his interview with ET Canada- the video got deleted (though it may be back)
I thought of it as sort of a prequel to the run and go, but the bed theories make a lot of sense.
I think he's clearly saying that he's got his boys back no matter what he did.
Bouncy boy
My friend thought Tyler was making a song about harboring a fugitive lmfao. Like he thought it was an actual criminal.
I’m probably wrong on this, but apart from the actual meaning of the song I think it’s a warning for us, telling us to bounce out of the album. This would fit with shy away telling us not to circle the track and to break the cycle in half. Plus the next songs are the ones with the most different sounds, the “not happy” songs
I like that it might be about Josh in a hypothetical scenario much like in Good Day. That the "She" is his wife Debbie crying. I do also like the idea of Ned because he is a jackalope which is part rabbit and rabbits bounce/hop. The "She" at that point could be Ro because as a kid who wouldn't love and believe in a jackalope?
I think it’s a continuation to “Run and Go.” I heard Tyler talk about people bouncing in and out of people’s lives.
this song is a sequel to the Run n Go!!
I’m sold that it’s about Ned. 100%
Just gonna leave this here: What if Ned (or the person running in Bounce Man) killed a Bishop and he is now on the run from DEMA?
I like that thought
My working theory was that this song was about the father (due to the line "let me ask my old lady" because no one our age would refer to their wife like this") of someone in DEMA that spoke out against the bishops in "Never Take It." Because of this, they have to run from whoever is chasing them in Shy Away. The father is desperately trying to reach Bounce Man to help save him even for a little bit so he can have a chance to escape to "The Outside"
I have a whole theory that all the songs are in a different chronological order telling the story of someone (possibly Tyler) who failed to escape, got caught, and then was plugged into a propaganda machine (Good Day) to start spreading the good message despite them being mentally tortured by watching a simulation of ever awful thing in the world happening to them ("lost my job, my wife, amd my child, homie just sued me") and then being forced to not be allowed to feel anything but happy as they sing because the bishops are torturing them
Ned is probably running away from Dema for the simple fact that he swam in chlorine water. Maybe chlorine is illegal in Dema because it causes Ned’s horns to grow and maybe the Bishops don’t like that? After all, he only comes out if enough chlorine is poured into the water... It already looked like he was hiding not because of Tyler and Josh, but maybe he knows they are fugitives of Dema and he doesn’t want to be tricked to going back? I don’t know, I’m just trying to spark more theories lol.
(Edit: Plus in the refrain of Chlorine, what if that’s Ned singing “I’m running for my life”?)
“Animatronic creativity gremlin”😭
This is kind of irrelevant but I noticed this myself. The faint “break it down” that repeats after Tyler sings “break it down” in the chorus is the same sample that Jon Bellion uses in his song Hand Of God. It’s just a little slowed down in this song
Jay Joseph has a song called Jump Man and the similarities of the titles are odd. Jay also mentions "22 y.o and I'm still talking to jump man" which is obviously a reference to praying. Iean Bounce/Jump is kind of the same thing.
I know there's smn at the door they call for help but do I wanna say goodbye to all the glowing eyes?
Maybe this song is from the perspective of the banditos and they want Tyler to escape. And no chances is from the perspective of the bishops, therefore they’re songs from each side
Hair looks great
First one to notice. Thanks. :)
I’ve always pictured Tyler singing this about Josh for some reason 😂😂 Because if Josh did anything bad and needed to escape Tyler would 100% do this for him
I know this is 100% off topic, but what is the background song?
oh i didnt think it was about ned thats interesting. It could be about blurryface too. I say this because Jay helped out with vocals on this song and also has a song called jumpman. However it's like in this song bounce is a verb but jumpman is like the word jump is used as a noun with the title. Idk it's just what I thought. This could work because now blurryface is leaving his life since he's like achieving happiness with rosie and jenna and settling down so its like blurryface is leaving his life more and more every day. Whereas in jumpman its like jay is still experiencing the negative type thoughts that are similar to blurryface but called jumpman instead
Ned is missing in the Choker video. I think the Choker video is a dream Tyler is having.
If Clancy was trapped in Dema, and the bishops couldn't escape, I think the bandito's, and Tyler would help him escape Dema, and if Dema is in Blurryface, and Blurryface represents our insecurities, wouldn't we all want to help our friends escape their insecurities?
I always thought it was about Josh. But these theory make more sense
The quote about friends changing is from the Fortnite live stream and is legit!
That Reddit part is in the Zane loe interview for Sai
Oh my God this is obviously about Rosie. Rosie when she is older Tyler is sinking to her but it doesn't matter what he does he will stay by her which makes extra sense seeing that by the time this song would be in use Jenna would be an old lady cuz I don't think Jenna would appreciate Tyler calling her his old lady
Idk who he’s talking to but I feel like he’s referring to “Hey Joe-Jimi Hendricks”…white phrases such as “my old lady” “running to Mexico”
Before watching this video, my thoughts went to Josh Dunn. His best friend, and the guy who is helping him escape dema in the trench music videos.
It would be incredibly satisfying if Tyler was referring to the song from an earlier album intentionally, but I think that's a stretch for the same reason mentioned in the video... He's talking to God there. With all of these songs, there is a triple meaning to DEMA, the various metaphors they create, and something real in our culture. So, it's probably to Ned and also a metaphor for someone (probably on the outskirts of society) Tyler would help get out of their situation.
I think it's 2&4. I find it really hard to believe it's just simply about Ned, but I do think lore wise Ned is the character it's centred on