Twenty One Pilots cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

Twenty One Pilots Songwriting Credits by Twenty One Pilots

2009 Self-released 14 tracks 62 min

Produced by Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, Chris Salih  ·  Engineered by Chris Salih

Self-released EmoIndie PopAlternative Hip Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Twenty One Pilots carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by Twenty One Pilots 0 tracksoutside writers
Twenty One Pilots's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
1
Lyricists
3
Producers
115,000
US Copies Sold
2009
Released
Data Insight

Tyler Joseph wrote the entire self-titled debut himself, handling lyrics, music, and lead production while the album was self-released by the original trio. Chris Salih handled recording and engineering and shared production and arrangement duties, and Nick Thomas rounded out the early lineup before both departed in 2011. The record captures Joseph's solo writing voice years before any label involvement, with every song originating from his own pen.

Twenty One Pilots' self-titled debut, independently released on December 29, 2009. Recorded in Tyler Joseph's basement in Columbus, Ohio with original members Nick Thomas (bass/guitar) and Chris Salih (drums), whose drum parts were largely programmed due to budget constraints. All 14 tracks were written solely by Tyler Joseph. The album gained significant traction years after its release when the band's mainstream success drove fans back to the catalog, eventually earning RIAA Gold certification in 2025.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Implicit Demand for Proof
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
2
Fall Away
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
3
The Pantaloon
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
4
Addict with a Pen
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
5
Friend, Please
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
6
March to the Sea
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
7
Johnny Boy
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
8
Oh, Ms. Believer
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
9
Air Catcher
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
10
Trapdoor
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
11
A Car, a Torch, a Death
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
12
Taxi Cab
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
13
Before You Start Your Day
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)
14
Isle of Flightless Birds
Tyler Joseph Tyler Robert Joseph Tyler JosephNick ThomasChris Salih Tyler Joseph (Lead Vocals, Rap)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors

More from Twenty One Pilots

Frequently Asked Questions Twenty One Pilots

Did Twenty One Pilots write their self-titled debut album themselves?
Yes. Tyler Joseph wrote all of the material on the 2009 self-titled debut, both lyrics and music. The album was self-released by the original trio, and Joseph also handled lead production alongside bandmate Chris Salih.
When was the Twenty One Pilots self-titled album released?
The self-titled debut was self-released on December 29, 2009. It came out independently before the band signed to Fueled by Ramen, with no label backing at the time.
Who was in Twenty One Pilots when the debut album was made?
The debut featured the original trio of Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih. Joseph wrote and produced the music while Salih handled recording and engineering. Both Thomas and Salih left the band in 2011, after which Josh Dun joined.
Did any songs from the Twenty One Pilots debut chart on the Billboard Hot 100?
No. No singles from the self-titled debut charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself later reached number 139 on the Billboard 200 in January 2017 as the band's popularity grew.
Is the Twenty One Pilots self-titled album certified by the RIAA?
Yes. The self-titled debut was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2025, representing 500,000 units. Earlier Billboard data from July 2016 reported sales of about 115,000 copies.
Who produced the Twenty One Pilots debut album?
The debut was self-produced. Tyler Joseph produced all tracks, with Chris Salih credited for production and arrangement as well as recording and engineering. There was no outside producer involved.
What genre is the Twenty One Pilots self-titled album?
Wikipedia classifies the self-titled debut as emo. The record blends emotional, piano-driven songwriting with hip hop and indie pop elements that became hallmarks of Tyler Joseph's writing.

Sources