The meaning of the lyrics of the song "We Don't Believe What's on TV" by the artist "twenty one pilots"

In the song "We Don't Believe What's on TV," twenty one pilots explores the theme of escapism and its consequences. The lyrical protagonist is torn between wanting to believe the sweet lies portrayed on television and realizing that these dreams can lead to disappointment.

The first verse sets the stage for the central conflict. "We don't believe what's on TV / Because it's what we want to see" expresses an ironic contradiction: a desire to believe what is known to be false, precisely because it is pleasant. The lyrical protagonist recognizes the danger of chasing empty dreams ("We know that we can't believe everything we see") and how it can lead to the abandonment of genuine aspirations ("We've all learned to kill our dreams").

The pre-chorus adds another layer to the narrative, addressing the theme of relationships and the fear of being abandoned. The lyrical protagonist seeks reassurance that they will be supported even if they fail in their pursuits. The line "We'll make money selling your hair" can be interpreted as a playful metaphor for being willing to sacrifice something valuable to achieve a goal, as well as a satirical commentary on the commercialization of art.

The chorus shifts the focus from the external world to the internal. The lyrical protagonist seeks more than superficial attraction ("I don't care what's in your hair / I just wanna know what's on your mind"). They confess their youthful fantasies of death, but claim that the love and support of another person make them rethink these destructive thoughts ("I used to say I wanna die before I'm old / But because of you, I might think twice").

The second verse delves into the fear of failure. The lyrical protagonist fears that their dreams might not come true, leaving them feeling like a fraud to themselves and those around them ("What if my dreamer's heart breaks? / What if my dreamer's heart breaks?). They are afraid of waking up from the "dreamer's sleep" and facing the harsh reality.

Overall, "We Don't Believe What's on TV" is a song about battling the lure of escapism, confronting the fear of failure, and seeking genuine connection that helps us stay true to ourselves, even when reality seems too overwhelming.