Neon Gravestones break down:

Probably the most somber sounding songs and for good reason the song has very deep lyrics.

P.S Before we start this is a very long and detailed breakdown comment if you would rather shorter breakdowns like legend or would you rather these in depth breakdowns?

The song starts off with a piano piece pretty much setting the tone of the song, the piece is actually sampled from a classical sonata by Beethoven. Then the beat kicks, giving the song and even more eary vibe.

The first verse starts; this verse starts with Tyler asking the listener to follow him down to “the bottom” I think this is Tyler referring to his brain/imagination, then adding “the insane asylum” the way Tyler’s referring to his headspace is similar to migraine: “Behind my eyelids are islands of violence”, so now we’ve entered Tyler’s head, next we’re told to keep our “wits about you while you got ‘em” wit is kind of like your ability to think quickly and outside of the box, this part is telling the listener that while your “problem solving” losing your innovativeness is what will happen if you continue to follow, I think the “problem” Tyler refers to is pretty much the main theme of the song: society’s practice of glorifying those who have committed suicide, and romanticizing the idea of taking your own life. Tyler is not afraid to touch on these topics in other TOP songs, now let’s get into the main idea of the song verse one continues on with “We glorify those even more when they...” this is Tyler saying that even if a “musician” has a had bad record that we’ll just focus on the person,

Side note: *this is my own opinion but I think that the rapper xxxtentacion fits pretty well in this scenario, even tho X didn’t commit suicide, the public’s view of this rapper with a “concerning” list of accusation, almost did a 180 after his death, after X past away I felt that a lot of people just jumped on the band wagon of “oh that’s so sad I was such a fan, oh X was the best rapper ever ect”, sorry for that big side note*

The next part of the song is “ My opinion, our culture can treat a loss like it's a win And right before we turn on them We give 'em the highest of praise And hang their banner from the ceiling Communicating, further engraving” I think this just backs up my theory, this is Tyler saying that he thinks that our culture doesn’t really think of the suicide they more force on the person; their music, movies ect, I think Tyler’s saying Yes we should remember these people but we need to deal with Suicide, and how to help, then the first verse concludes with “An earlier grave is an optional way No” this is Tyler working out that suicide “earlier grave” is an optional way- *to presumably boost reputation* but then Tyler cuts himself off, alluding to the fact that Tyler knows that this is completely a wrong way to think.

Then we enter the chorus: “Neon gravestones try to call for my bones” this is Tyler admitting that the Neon Gravestones call for him to commit suicide, I think that the term Neon gravestones bubbles down to famous people “neon lights” that have died “gravestones” saying that these people are shown to the world after their death.

Verse two once again refers that we’re hearing Tyler’s thoughts. Tyler says that his problem is with “the people we praise who may have assisted” Those who do commit suicide, “the people we praise”, may end up “assisting” the suicide of others who are also seeking praise and love and see suicide as a way to get it. The next part is Tyler letting into these thoughts thinking to himself “I could use the streams and extra conversations I could give up, and boost up my reputation I could go out with a bang” Tyler’s thinking to himself that he could “give up” and boost his popularity, he continues on this train of thought adding: “They would know my name They would host and post a celebration”. Finally, Tyler snaps out of this thinking and declares that he does not agree with this: “My opinion will not be lenient My opinion, it's real convenient”. Next Tyler takes the spotlight of himself and emphasizes the need for action regarding suicide. While many talk about suicide and what they should do to stop people from committing suicide, very often action is not taken. Here, he is vowing to take action on countering suicide and encourages fans to do so as well: “Our words are loud, but now I'm talking action” Next Tyler continues about helping others deal with suicide “We don't get enough love? Well, they get a fraction” this is Tyler saying that the media usually paints a picture that famous suicide victims normally seem to not be getting enough love, then says that they may not be getting much love; but an average suicide victim gets even less love. “They say, "How could he go if he's got everything?" I'll mourn for a kid, but won't cry for a king” “They” are the people who will be quick to say “oh well how could he commit suicide he had so much money ect”. Then Tyler finishes the verse with one of the songs (maybe evens albums) strongest lines: “I'll mourn for a kid, but won't cry for a king” Tyler is saying that he’d grieve and honor the death if was genuine. He won’t a grieve a death that was a cry for attention or was glorified into oblivion, because that’s not how a life should be remembered; by their death.

Next we enter the chorus just repeating that a fancied death calls for him.

The bridge which in my opinion is the most chilling part of the song: “Promise me this If I lose to myself You won't mourn a day and you'll move onto someone else” this is Tyler telling the listener that if Tyler does succumb to these Neon Gravestones that he does not want anyone to glorify his death. To do so would be contrary to the message of this song. He tells us to stop the celebrity worship our society has succumbed to.

A prolonged chorus is next reminding us that even tho Tyler is trying to stand against suicide that the idea continues to come up in his head.

Second bridge: “ No, they won't get them They won't get them” After explaining how tempted he is to take his own life, Tyler firmly states that he refuses to fall into the trap. He knows that committing suicide won’t do anyone any good, so he tells the audience that the neon gravestones will never get his bones.

Final Verse “Don't get me wrong, the rise in awareness Is beating a stigma that no longer scares us but for sake of discussion, in spirit of fairness Could we give this some room for a new point of view?” Tyler is restating that the raise in awareness of suicide and mental illness is bad, but that society has elevated it to a point where suicide isn’t as much as a bad thing; Glorified Suicide. Tyler is asking the audience to open their minds and listen to a different view of suicide: Tyler’s perspective, or the perspective of actual mentally-ill people who try to speak out (which can be very hard to do in the first place). Next Tyler continues: “could it be true that some could be tempted to use this mistake as a form of aggression? A form of succession? A form of a weapon? Thinking "I'll teach them" this is Tyler going at the fact that he is afraid that people are using suicide as a form of attention seeking; Suicide is so glorified that people do it in the hopes of being noticed; following in someone’s footsteps who took their own life and was horribly idolized for it. Tyler also expresses his fear that suicide could be used as “a form of aggression” this could be in the form of maliciously leaving notes explain who is “responsible” for their death when really they’re just taking it away from their self. Tyler states that he’s refusing to except that as a normal thing to do “ Well, I'm refusing the lesson”. Next Tyler refers to us (the clique) saying that “it” (glorifying suicide) wont resonate with us: “It won't resonate in our minds” “I'm not disrespecting what was left behind Just pleading that it does not get glorified” Tyler does point out, that while he means no disrespect to the lives of the victims of suicide, he doesn’t want suicide to be glorified.

The last stanza of the song *in my opinion* almost refers forward to legend- that we should respect our elders; as Tylers grandfather passed away while recording, I think he wants to remind us that we should not get wrapped up in everything that goes on with celebrity’s and that we should be respecting and thanking our grandparents/elders for making life possible for us, instead of some famous idol; honor our hero’s lives and focus on the amazing things they’ve done in their life. Don’t wait for their funeral to speak.

Also know that’s there’s always someone who will want to have a chat to you;

1-800-273-8255 – National suicide prevention lifeline-

Big shot out to Genius.com, if you’re ever looking for some more theory’s and meaning I definably recommend the guys over there, Also a shout out to Everliker, checkout my previous post or check bio if you’re interest in boosting your Instagram for free!

One more thing; How do you guys want me to do Lyric breakdowns? Do you profer quicker ones like last times one or more in depths ones like this one, or would you rather ask questions about songs and get me to answer them?

THANKS GUYS FOR STICKING AROUND LOVE YA❤️

NEON GRAVESTONE LYRIC BREAKDOWN