A dear and proud "thank you" to readers and commenters on this blog
Greetings Readers, I just wanted to take a minute out of my day (the way you've taken many out of yours) to say, "Thank you." My life's taken a different direction because you read this blog and interact with me to talk about these songs.
Because of you, I've met so many people from all over the world, I've had deep conversations with you, and I've learned so much.
I want to give a special "thank you" to those of you who comment on this blog. A reader of this blog recently left this comment (though this is just one of many similar ones):
I don’t have any insights into the meanings of the songs or the album. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your thoughts. My daughter first played Stressed Out, for me, about a year ago. I’d never heard of 21 Pilots, but she’s in these “fandoms” and will play songs for me, sometimes. At the time I was going through a particularly rough period (I struggle with depression, among other things) and it really resonated with my soul. I just loved it. I felt it, so much. Since then I have downloaded Blurryface and I listen to it all the time. I’ve looked up lyrics and I sing in the car. ☺️ I was surprised that, at 49 years old, anyone as young as Tyler could make me feel like they know exactly what is in my head, and put a voice to my own inner demons and struggles.
I came across your website and even though I am not a Christian, being agnostic, I still feel a higher power (whether it’s in myself or just in the collective love of my family) and I completely understand your interpretations.
I just want to tell you how much I appreciate how you and your commenters really think about this album and the story and the meaning. This feels a little cheesy, but thank you. It means a lot and I am impressed with all of the thought provoking insights.
Notice that he thanks "you and your commenters." Commenters, this is YOUR doing. I just give a bare-bones explanation, nothing special. It's YOU who interact with these songs and show the spiraling and widening meanings these songs have the power to give to our lives.
People get vulnerable when they look for song meanings. The music touches them, and they want to know why. When you try to explain these songs and interact with how they make you feel, when you get vulnerable and share what a song means to you, and when you do a little bit of extra research to find what an artist may be trying to tell us, people are touched.
It's you, the commenters, who spread that meaning and, thus, that love and emotion.
Everyone who visits and comments leaves a little mark that impacts someone else.
Thank you for being the meaning in someone else's life. Whether it's mine or another visitor's, you truly are inspiring.
Sincerely,
Clifford Stumme
