Choker (song)

Last updated
"Choker"
Single by Twenty One Pilots
from the album Scaled and Icy
ReleasedApril 30, 2021 (2021-04-30)
Recorded2021
Studio Tyler Joseph's home studio (Columbus, Ohio)
Length3:43
Label Fueled by Ramen
Songwriter(s) Tyler Joseph
Producer(s) Tyler Joseph
Twenty One Pilots singles chronology
"Shy Away"
(2021)		"Choker"
(2021)		"Saturday"
(2021)
Music video
"Choker" on YouTube

"Choker" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released through Fueled by Ramen on April 30, 2021, as the second single from their sixth studio album, Scaled and Icy (2021). A music video accompanied the single's release.

Contents

Background

Regarding the writing process of the track, Joseph described it as a "rash" for referring him to dig back into older songwriting habits and methods. He explained: "...It's another thing when [a song] comes up organically – almost like an old habit that is inevitably a part of who you are, and still makes up the fibres of who you are. It's mostly dormant, but every once in a while it flares up. That's what "Choker" is: a flare up of an old rash that we thought we cured. And we're proud of that rash! We like that rash. The rash is who we are. We had to itch it." [1]

In the same interview, Tyler recalled: "I remember when I locked into the writing of [the song], it just flowed; it was scary how easy that song was for me to write, and it was because I knew I was coming from a place, and I was in a realm that I had spent a lot of time in before. And I was comfortable there; I was familiar with my surroundings. And that's why it was such an easy song to write." [1] He also stated that, although the band is evolving and maturing, he doesn't need to not look back to his old writing styles previously established on pre- Blurryface albums, such as Twenty One Pilots , Regional at Best and Vessel . "I think "Choker" is the beginning of me being okay with the entire body of work, and feeling like I don't have to steer away from some things that people would consider from our older records." [1]

Music video

The video, directed by Mark C. Eshleman, was filmed at Big Fun, a toy store located in Columbus, Ohio, the hometown of members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Joseph plays an anxious customer who is interested in a small blue dragon named Trash, inside of a display case, and Dun plays the emotionless shopkeeper. Joseph steals the toy leading Dun to chase him down, eventually capturing him with a net gun before transforming him into a toy by emitting blue rays from his eyes and mouth. [2] As of May 2023, the video has garnered over 20 million views.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Scaled and Icy. [3]

Twenty One Pilots

Additional musicians

Charts

Chart performance for "Choker"
Chart (2021)Peak
position
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [4] 46
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [5] 149
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 83
Lithuania (AGATA) [7] 90
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [8] 79
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 88
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [10] 14

Related Research Articles

"Cancer" is a rock song by American rock band My Chemical Romance. It is the eighth track from the group's third studio album The Black Parade. The song was released on October 23, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twenty One Pilots</span> American musical duo

Twenty One Pilots are an American musical duo from Columbus, Ohio. Initially a band, the group was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist Tyler Joseph along with Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, who both left in 2011. Since their departure, the line-up has consisted of Joseph and drummer Josh Dun. The duo is best known for their singles "Stressed Out", "Ride", and "Heathens". The group received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards for "Stressed Out". The band independently released two albums, Twenty One Pilots (2009) and Regional at Best (2011), before being signed by record label Fueled by Ramen in 2012. Their label debut Vessel (2013) became the second album in history on which every track received at least a gold certification, making Twenty One Pilots the first and only band in the history of music to see every song on two albums earn gold or platinum awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Dun</span> American musician

Joshua William Dun is an American musician. He is best known as the drummer of the musical duo Twenty One Pilots, alongside Tyler Joseph, but he has collaborated with other artists as well. His band has been nominated for six Grammy Awards, of which he has won one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Joseph</span> American musician and record producer

Tyler Robert Joseph is an American singer, rapper, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the frontman for the musical duo Twenty One Pilots, alongside bandmate Josh Dun. Across his career he has recorded eight albums: one solo, and seven with Twenty One Pilots. He has been nominated for six Grammy Awards as a member of the duo, of which he has won one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twenty One Pilots discography</span>

American musical duo Twenty One Pilots have released seven studio albums, five live albums, one compilation album, 10 extended plays, 26 singles and 38 music videos. The band was formed in 2009 and currently consists of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. After two self-released albums, Twenty One Pilots in 2009 and Regional at Best in 2011, they were signed by Fueled by Ramen in 2012, which released their following studio albums, as well as Blurryface Live, a three-LP, tri-gatefold picture disc vinyl, Scaled and Icy and MTV Unplugged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stressed Out</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Stressed Out" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. Produced by Mike Elizondo and recorded at studios in Los Angeles and London, it was released as a promotional single from their fourth studio album, Blurryface (2015), on April 28, 2015, through Fueled by Ramen. The song later impacted US contemporary hit radio as the album's fourth official single on November 10. Elizondo initially took issue with the nature of the song's lyrical content, but relaxed after lead vocalist and songwriter Tyler Joseph explained the larger album concept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride (Twenty One Pilots song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Ride" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, from their fourth studio album, Blurryface. "Ride" was originally released as a promotional single on YouTube on May 11, 2015. The music video for the song was released on YouTube the following day. It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on April 16, 2016, as the album's fifth official single. The song peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heathens (song)</span> 2016 song by Twenty One Pilots

"Heathens" is a song by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released as the lead single from the motion picture soundtrack to the DC Comics film Suicide Squad (2016) on June 16, 2016, through Atlantic Records. The song was written by Tyler Joseph and produced by him along with Mike Elizondo. "Heathens" peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, tying with "Stressed Out" for the duo's highest-charting single to date. "Heathens" was nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 59th annual awards ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumpsuit (song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Jumpsuit" is a song written and recorded by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released on July 11, 2018, as the first of the lead singles from their fifth studio album Trench (2018), alongside "Nico and the Niners". The track was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. Peaking at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, it is their fifth-highest charting song, behind "Stressed Out", "Heathens", "Ride", and "Level of Concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nico and the Niners</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Nico and the Niners" is a song written and recorded by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released on July 11, 2018 as the second of the lead singles from their fifth studio album Trench (2018), alongside "Jumpsuit". The song peaked at number 79 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<i>Trench</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Twenty One Pilots

Trench is the fifth studio album by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on October 5, 2018, through Fueled by Ramen. It was the band's first studio album in three years, after the breakthrough success of their fourth studio album, Blurryface (2015). Recorded in secret during a year-long public silence, it is a concept album which explores mental health, suicide, and doubt, themes prominently featured in the band's previous works, framed in the metaphorical city of Dema and the surrounding valley known as "Trench". The album was also the first release of the newly-revived Elektra Music Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levitate (Twenty One Pilots song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Levitate" is a song written and recorded by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. The song was released as the third single from their fifth studio album Trench on August 8, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Blood (Twenty One Pilots song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"My Blood" is a song written and recorded by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. The song was released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Trench, on August 27, 2018. An accompanying music video for the song was released on October 5, 2018, hours after the release of its parent album. The song peaked at No. 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chlorine (song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Chlorine" is a song by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released through Fueled by Ramen on January 22, 2019 as the fifth single from their fifth studio album, Trench (2018). The track was written and produced by lead singer Tyler Joseph and Paul Meany of rock band Mutemath. It is a trip hop, rap rock and electropop song which discusses "how creativity can cleanse dark impulses but cause its own pain".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hype (Twenty One Pilots song)</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"The Hype" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots from their fifth studio album Trench (2018). The song was released as the sixth and final single from Trench on July 16, 2019, by Fueled by Ramen and Elektra Music Group. The track was written by lead singer Tyler Joseph, with production being handled by himself and Paul Meany. The song's lyrics discuss perseverance and loyalty. "The Hype" reached a peak of number 3 on the US Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Level of Concern</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Level of Concern" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released as a standalone single on April 9, 2020, through Fueled by Ramen, and was later included on the livestream version of Scaled and Icy (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shy Away</span> Twenty One Pilots song

"Shy Away" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released through Fueled by Ramen on April 7, 2021, as the lead single of their sixth studio album, Scaled and Icy (2021). A music video was released alongside the single, directed by Miles Cable and AJ Favicchio.

<i>Scaled and Icy</i> 2021 studio album by Twenty One Pilots

Scaled and Icy is the sixth studio album by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on May 21, 2021, through Fueled by Ramen and Elektra. Its title is a play on "scaled back and isolated", a phrase frontman Tyler Joseph associated with music produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, though the phrase is also an anagram of "Clancy is dead", a reference to the protagonist of the duo's fifth studio album, Trench (2018). The album received generally positive reviews from critics.

"The Outside" is a song written and recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It was released through Fueled by Ramen on May 21, 2021, as the fourth single from their sixth studio album, Scaled and Icy (2021). The song was written and produced by the duo's frontman, Tyler Joseph. A music video for the song was released on March 18, 2022.

"Saturday" is a song recorded by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on May 18, 2021, through Fueled by Ramen, as the third single from their sixth studio album, Scaled and Icy (2021). It was written and produced by the duo's frontman, Tyler Joseph, with Greg Kurstin credited as co-producer. A music video for the song was released on July 8, 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Kerrang! Interview". 5 May 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ Reilly, Nick (April 30, 2021). "Twenty One Pilots to debut new single 'Choker' at special fan event". NME . Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ "TWENTY ONE PILOTS ' SCALED AND ICY' (TNSN DVSN)". TNSN_DVSN. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  4. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202118 into search. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ "2021 18-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  8. ↑ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 20218 into search. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.