Lavish: A Musical Dichotomy With a Satirical Edge
Released on May 19th, 2023, as part of their sixth studio album Clancy, Lavish finds twenty one pilots confronting the culture of materialism, ego, and ostentatious displays of wealth that pervade the music industry.
The song’s musical composition creates an intriguing dichotomy: the verses are delivered in a rapid-fire flow over an old-school hip-hop beat, adopting the braggadocious tone of materialistic rap.
However, this contrasts with the smooth, melodic indie pop-rock sound of the chorus.
“Welcome to the new way of livin’
It’s just the beginning of lavish
From the floor to the ceiling
Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while
It’s lavish”
This juxtaposition deftly mirrors the central message, revelling in the lavish trappings of fame and fortune while simultaneously satirising it as an empty, superficial facade.
Lavish: A Lyrical Masterclass in Satire
The lyrics of Lavish are where the true genius lies, with vivid imagery and turns of phrase that subtly but impactfully mock the ego, self-importance, and conspicuous consumption that run rampant.
Take this quote from the first verse:
“I say whatever and whatever that I want
Sip a Capri-Sun like it’s Dom Pérignon”
This clever bar paints the picture of someone trying to impart an air of wealth and opulence, while essentially acting like a child pretending with a juice box.
The second verse contains the song’s most shocking and unforgettable lyrics:
“Keep it cool, keep the mood androgynous
I see your problem is your proctologist
Got both hands on your shoulder while you’re bottomless”
This vulgar yet brilliant triplet seems to be implying that those immersed in the lavish lifestyle are so full of themselves, so blinded by ego and obliviousness, that they’re being exploited and demeaned from behind without even realising it.
The “proctologist” line is as crude as it is clever in getting this point across.
Deconstructing the Lavish Lyrics
Verse 1:
“You try your best to look like this is not your first time
You’re fightin’ for the front row, that’s a nice try
You’re looking real nice, smellin’ like worth”
The opening lines set the satirical tone, painting a picture of someone overcompensating and trying too hard to appear accustomed to the high life, despite being a fish out of water.
Chorus:
“Welcome to the new way of livin’
It’s just the beginning of lavish”
The velvet-smooth melody of the chorus provides the perfect veneer to cloak cutting commentary on the empty illusion and hollow performance of luxury.
Verse 2:
“I’m talkin’ tough happily with someone in front of me
Room on the payroll, everyone can live comfortably
NDAs for the folks that talk to me”
These lines continue satirising the inflated egos, sycophantic entourages, and culture of silence surrounding the rich and famous. But it’s the following lines that provide the knockout satirical blow:
“Keep it cool, keep the mood androgynous
I see your problem is your proctologist
Got both hands on your shoulder while you’re bottomless”
With outrageous imagery, these bars bluntly suggest that the “lavish” lifestyle ultimately demeans and exploits its adherents from behind the scenes, no matter how they try to keep up appearances.
Midwestern Roots on Display in “Lavish” Music Video
While the lyrics of Lavish skewer the superficial trappings of fame and wealth, the music video takes a different tack, honouring twenty one pilots’ humble Midwestern origins.
The clip features signs and buildings from all across their home state of Ohio, with lyrics appearing on marquees for places like Sancus Blvd, Tanger Outlets, Northpointe Dance Academy, and businesses like Lashish the Greek, Squeeks Bar and Grill, Korean Hot Pot, and Lavash Cafe.
As Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun cruise through Columbus in a limousine, the video brings fans to these familiar local spots, putting them front and centre “to the style you haven’t seen in a while,” as the chorus states.
It’s a loving homage to their roots, as they’ve risen from a small Columbus band to international arena-fillers.
With the video showcasing these Ohioan locales, it adds an intriguing dichotomy and personal touch to the larger critique of excess that Lavish aims at in the music industry.
The band seems to be saying you can achieve massive success while still repping where you came from.
Final Thoughts on Lavish
With its deft lyrical prowess and engaging musical dichotomy, Lavish stands as a razor-sharp satire that pulls no punches in dismantling society’s obsession with wealth, status, and vain performances of opulence.
Under the smooth melodic surface lies an incisive critique of unchecked ego, conspicuous consumption, and the music industry’s broader culture of self-importance.
twenty one pilots seems to be driving this point home: that the pedestal of wealth and fame is really no pedestal at all, merely an illusion to cover up insecurity and a thinly veiled facade obscuring corruption behind the scenes.
The “proctologist” line provides their most searing indictment of the entire sham.
So crank up this standout track from twenty one pilots’ new Clancy album and decide for yourself: are you entranced by the lavish lifestyle?
Or can you see through the facade that it’s so vividly and hilariously satirising?
The latter seems to be where twenty one pilots’ perspective lies on this lyrical tour de force.
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twenty one pilots Lavish Lyrics
Intro
Welcome to the new way of livin’
It’s just the beginning of lavish
Chorus
Welcome to the new way of livin’
It’s just the beginning of lavish
From the floor to the ceiling
Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while
It’s lavish
Verse 1
You try your best to look like this is not your first time
You’re fightin’ for the front row, that’s a nice try
You’re looking real nice, smellin’ like worth
Walk in like you deserve it
And if your feet are hurtin’, then that’s when you know
You brought the right equipment to put on a show
And let it flow, let it show, shine
Let it show, let it flow, shine
Chorus
Welcome to the new way of livin’
It’s just the beginning of lavish
From the floor to the ceiling
Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while
It’s lavish
It’s lavish
It’s lavish
(Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while)
(It’s lavish)
Verse 2
Got that penny loafer squeak, across linoleum
Big flex, complex, Napoleon
I say whatever and whatever that I want
Sip a Capri-Sun like it’s Dom Pérignon
I’m talkin’ tough happily with someone in front of me
Room on the payroll, everyone can live comfortably
I’m comin’ in hot, hot shot hypocrisy
NDAs for the folks that talk to me
So tell your friends at follow bots anonymous
Keep it cool, keep the mood androgynous
I see your problem is your proctologist
Got both hands on your shoulder while you’re bottomless
Chorus
It’s lavish
It’s lavish
Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while
It’s lavish
Outro
(Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while)
(It’s lavish) It’s lavish
