Before there were "Vessel" and "BlurryFace" and even "Three Songs," Twenty One Pilots and Tyler Joseph himself created some very beautiful work. While old songs like Kitchen Sink and Addict With A Pen are more popular among newer Twenty One Pilots' fans, you have to be a true fan to know these songs.
A Car, A Torch, A Death - Twenty One Pilots
This song is one of those ones where you start to realize what the song is about at the very end and then want to listen to it again.
Anathema - Regional At Best
Just when you think that maybe this song is going to be kind of slow and not like the duo's typical style, they throw in an intense rap at the end. Just how we like it.
Be Concerned ft. Jocef - Regional At Best
This song is interesting because if you listened to it right when it came out, it was tough to decipher who the second voice in the song is. This song is truly beautiful.
Before You Start Your Day - Twenty One Pilots
Another slow song that isn't what you'd typically peg a for a TOP song. However, the soft and slow melody that goes into the beautiful build up at the end makes the different sound totally worth it.
Blasphemy - No Phun Intended
This is the first example on this list of some re-purposed lyrics. The first verse of this song is the rap verse in Anathema. Although No Phun Intended was Tyler Joseph's album and never gained a ton of popularity, he realized such well-written lyrics needed to be put into a different song.
Clear - Regional At Best
I think this song has, bar Kitchen Sink, one of the most powerful bridges in all of their music. When he starts yell-singing, "I will tell you what I can" the song hits a high and it is unbelievable.
Drown - No Phun Intended
Drown's lyrics are re-purposed on a song that is not on this list, Fall Away. Fall away is one of their more well-known songs from Regional At Best. If you love the, "every time I feel selfish ambition is taking my vision" verse in "Fall Away," check out "Drown." The verse is expanded upon amazingly.
Forest - Regional At Best
Forest is one of my all time favorite TOP songs. Fun fact: there is a video of Tyler speaking the lyrics to this song on a street on YouTube that makes the song all the more wonderful.
Glowing Eyes - Regional At Best
This one is a very upbeat, fun song... But you always know those types of songs have an even deeper meaning. Definitely a fun one that makes you dance around and then think.
Hole In The Ground - No Phun Intended
Unfortunately, no lyrics were taken from this song and put into newer material... Here's hoping for their next album?
Implicit Demand For Proof - Twenty One Pilots
While the lyrics to this song are both thought-provoking and beautiful, one of the best parts of it is the piano lead up into the powerful instrumental. The part before the lyrics start might be the best part of the song. (But "rain down and destroy me" might be a close second.)
Isle Of Flightless Birds - Twenty One Pilots
All of their songs are up to personal interpretation, but I think this is one of their more clearly religious songs. No matter how you interpret it, the final verse is incredibly powerful.
Johnny Boy - Twenty One Pilots
Johnny Boy is probably one of their more popular old songs, but I simply couldn't leave out this one. "I will carry all your names and I will carry all your shame" is arguably one of the most powerful verses in all of their music. This song is so, so amazing.
Lovely - Regional At Best
The "stay alive" theme of Twenty One Pilots is prevalent in so much of their music, and it definitely makes an appearance in this song. Such an upbeat and amazing song.
The Pantaloon - Twenty One Pilots
Just like Lovely is a beginning of the "stay alive" theme, The Pantaloon hits off the "lose your mind" theme. This is another one you'll sing 20 times and then finally say, "oh, that's what this is about!"
Ruby - Twenty One Pilots
"Ruby" is a beautiful song that has a very ambiguous meaning. I've heard it is about a young girl with some sort of disease that went to his church, and others have heard other things. Regardless of the meaning, it is some beautiful lyrical work with one of the best "screams" in their music.
Save - No Phun Intended
It is no secret that Tyler's pre-TOP music is some amazing work, and this one is no exception.
Slowtown - Regional At Best
What does "Slowtown" have in common with "Lane Boy," "Kitchen Sink," "Stressed Out" and probably others? It makes a reference to his brother Zack. This is one of the first times he's referenced, and it is always really cool when he brings his family into the music.
Street Poetry - Tyler Joseph Youtube
"Street Poetry" is one of my favorite TOP-related things. It is a really hauntingly beautiful video of Tyler reciting poetry while walking down the street. in what looks like Uptown Westerville in Ohio. The cool thing for the people who knew about this video was that "HeavyDirtySoul" uses the words from "Street Poetry" as lyrics.
Taken By Sleep - No Phun Intended
This song is probably one of the saddest of Tyler's solo music, and the band's as well. This song seems to be about a friend who has committed suicide and is incredibly, incredibly deep.
Tonight - No Phun Intended
To top off this list is one of my very favorites, "Tonight." This song is one of the easier ones to interpret but still not enough so that you can't draw your own conclusions. Tyler has been a genius since the beginning.
If you're a new Twenty One Pilots fan who only knows their new stuff, I urge you to check out their old music. And if you've been following them forever and have loved these songs for years, be happy you've experienced such amazing music for that long.