Shy Away

Last updated

"Shy Away"
Shyawaylive.jpeg
Livestream version cover
Single by Twenty One Pilots
from the album Scaled and Icy
ReleasedApril 7, 2021 (2021-04-07)
Recorded2020–2021
Genre
Length
  • 2:55 (album version)
  • 6:01 (MTV Unplugged version)
Label Fueled by Ramen
Songwriter(s) Tyler Joseph
Producer(s) Tyler Joseph
Twenty One Pilots singles chronology
"Christmas Saves the Year"
(2020)
"Shy Away"
(2021)
"Choker"
(2021)
Music video
"Shy Away" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

Background

Official logo used for "Shy Away" ShyAwayLogo.svg
Official logo used for "Shy Away"

Tyler Joseph, the frontman of the duo, wrote "Shy Away" for his younger brother, Jay Joseph, as a tutorial on how to operate a recording studio. [1] During the recording, Joseph's daughter made a cooing noise which Joseph decided to keep in the song. [1]

The song was created while communicating virtually as the COVID-19 pandemic limited interaction between the members of the band. [2] It was released two days after the announcement of Scaled and Icy , the band's sixth studio album.

Composition

"Shy Away" is a "propulsive" synth-pop, [3] alternative rock, [3] indie rock, [4] and pop rock [5] song that runs for a duration of two minutes and fifty-five seconds. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music, it is written in the time signature of common time at a tempo of 196 beats per minute. [6] "Shy Away" is composed in the key of C major, while Joseph's vocal range spans one octave and four notes, from a low E3 to a high of A4. [6]

The track includes a "brief but tasteful" half-time breakdown for the "hardcore kids", and has been compared to the likes of artists such as the Strokes and Phoenix. It's considered to be one of the band's most upbeat songs, and is synth-heavy, with elements of electronic, pop and indie music. [3] [4] [7]

Music video

The music video for the song, directed by Miles Cable and AJ Favicchio, was released concurrently with the song. The video showcases the duo's new "era", and a new color scheme which changes during each album cycle. The video features the new colors prominently: vibrant shades of light blue, pink and occasional yellow. [8] In the video, a few background musicians portrayed by Joseph and Dun wear torn and burnt ski masks, a reference to the stylings of their earlier albums, Vessel and Blurryface . [8] As of April 2024, the video has surpassed 54 million views on YouTube.

Commercial performance

Within only two days of tracking, "Shy Away" made its debut at No. 20 on the US Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, and reached a peak of No. 7. [9] On the Alternative Airplay chart, the song peaked at No. 1, and remained at the peak position for 8 weeks. On the Rock Airplay chart, the track also reached No. 1. In its first full week of tracking, it reached No. 56 in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, [10] [11] and peaked at No. 36 in Lithuania. [12] On the chart dated April 24, 2021, the song made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 87, also being the only track from the album to chart there, before it fell out the week after.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Scaled and Icy. [13]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Shy Away"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [31] Platinum40,000
United States (RIAA) [32] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Me Baby</span> 2006 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Tell Me Baby" is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' ninth studio album Stadium Arcadium. The song was released as the follow-up to the hit single "Dani California" on July 17, 2006. The single was not as successful as their prior single "Dani California" nor their next single "Snow " as far as chart success, but did reach number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and remained there for four weeks making it the band's second straight number one on that chart from Stadium Arcadium and tenth number one overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadow of the Day</span> Single by Linkin Park

"Shadow of the Day" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was released as the third single from their third studio album, Minutes to Midnight, on October 16, 2007. The first public performance of "Shadow of the Day" was during the Projekt Revolution tour in Auburn, Washington, on July 25, 2007. On September 4, 2012, "Shadow of the Day", along with "Breaking the Habit", "New Divide", and "Burn It Down", was released in the "Linkin Park Pack 02" as downloadable content for the music rhythm video game, Rock Band 3.

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

Twenty One Pilots is 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", which achieved commercial success between 2015 and 2016. The duo received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards for "Stressed Out".

<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, 29 singles, five promotional singles, and 52 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> 2015 single by Twenty One Pilots

"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> 2016 single by Twenty One Pilots

"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">Renegades (X Ambassadors song)</span> 2015 single by X Ambassadors

"Renegades" is a song by American rock band X Ambassadors. It was released as the second single from the band's debut studio album VHS on March 3, 2015. It peaked inside the top ten in ten countries, including France, Germany, Canada and Poland, where it reached number one. In the United States, the song peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The song was nominated for the "Top Rock Song" award at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

<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">Thunder (Imagine Dragons song)</span> 2017 single by Imagine Dragons

"Thunder" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It was released by Interscope Records and Kidinakorner on April 27, 2017, as the second single from their third studio album, Evolve (2017). Written by band members Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman, and its producers Alex Da Kid and Jayson DeZuzio, "Thunder" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song became the band's fourth single in that country to reach the top ten after "Radioactive", "Demons" and "Believer". It also reached the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the Netherlands. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

<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 number 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">My Blood (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> 2019 single by Twenty One Pilots

"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">I Think I'm Okay</span> 2019 single by Machine Gun Kelly, Yungblud and Travis Barker

"I Think I'm Okay" is a song by American musician Machine Gun Kelly, English musician Yungblud, and American musician Travis Barker. It was released as a single on June 7, 2019, from the former's fourth studio album Hotel Diablo.

<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).

<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.

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

"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.

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

"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.

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

"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 and Paul Meany credited as co-producers. A music video for the song was released on July 8, 2021.

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

"Overcompensate" is a song by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on February 29, 2024, through Fueled by Ramen as the lead single of their seventh studio album Clancy. It was written and produced by frontman Tyler Joseph alongside Paul Meany. The song peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 34 in the UK, making it their third-highest charting song there, behind "Heathens" and "Stressed Out".

References

  1. 1 2 Savage, Mark (April 7, 2021). "Twenty One Pilots' new single Shy Away 'started out as a tutorial'". BBC. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  2. Carter, Emily (April 7, 2021). "twenty one pilots drop new single Shy Away, announce upcoming album Scaled And Icy". Kerrang. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Shaffer, Claire (April 7, 2021). "Twenty One Pilots Preview New Album 'Scaled and Icy' With First Single 'Shy Away'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Aiex, Tony (April 7, 2021). "Twenty One Pilots mergulha no indie, lança a inédita "Shy Away" e anuncia novo disco". Tenho Mais Discos Que Amigos!. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  5. Meyers, Mason (May 22, 2021). "Album Review: Twenty One Pilots - Scaled and Icy". Gigwise . Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Shy Away". Musicnotes.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  7. "The Crimson" . Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Campbell, Rachel (April 7, 2021). "Twenty One Pilots Kick off 'Scaled and Icy' Era With "Shy Away"—Watch". AlternativePress . Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "2021 15-os SAVAITĖS (balandžio 9-15 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 16, 2021. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  13. "TWENTY ONE PILOTS ' SCALED AND ICY' (TNSN DVSN)". TNSN_DVSN. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  14. "Twenty One Pilots – Shy Away" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  15. "Twenty One Pilots – Shy Away" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  16. "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  17. "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  18. "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  20. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 15. týden 2021 in the date selector.
  21. "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  22. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  23. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  24. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 15. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  25. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  26. "Twenty One Pilots – Shy Away". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  27. "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  28. "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  29. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  30. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  31. "Brazilian single certifications – Twenty One Pilots – Shy Away" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  32. "American single certifications – Twenty One Pilots – Shy Away". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 12, 2023.