Level of Concern

At the beginning of March 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States stood at 70, but by the following month it had grown by hundreds of thousands with an increasing death rate, resulting in the closure of schools and the banning of large gatherings. Social distancing measures, such as staying home as much as possible, had been widely recommended, and gatherings of over 10 people had been discouraged.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html|title=Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410111742/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/16/816707182/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s|title=Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S.|last1=Renken|first1=Elena|last2=Wood|first2=Daniel|website=NPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410112054/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/16/816707182/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=April 10, 2020}} Twenty One Pilots wrote and recorded "Level of Concern", their first new release since their fifth studio album Trench (2018), in self-isolation.{{Cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/04/twenty-one-pilots-reveal-new-single-level-of-concern-stream/|title=Twenty One Pilots Reveal New Single "Level of Concern": Stream|last=Young|first=Alex|website=Consequence of Sound|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410114230/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/04/twenty-one-pilots-reveal-new-single-level-of-concern-stream/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} Lead singer Tyler Joseph's mother and wife, in part, influenced his decision to write a song about the pandemic.{{Cite tweet|number=1248281498307964929|user=KISS107|title=Here's the backstory of #LevelOfConcern from #twentyonepilots: Tyler's mom inspired him to write a song for their fans in this unprecedented moment in all of our lives. He decided to write about the last time he felt this out of control.}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Tyler Joseph Says His Mom and Wife Inspired Twenty One Pilots' 'Level of Concern |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/tyler-joseph-talks-inspiration-level-of-concern-9365330/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}

"Level of Concern" was written by Joseph, who produced it alongside Paul Meany of the alternative rock band Mutemath.{{Cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/136950007/credits|title=Credits / Level of Concern / twenty one pilots|website=Tidal|access-date=April 10, 2020}} The two had previously collaborated in this capacity on Trench,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-twenty-one-pilots-still-stressed-more-cohesive-on-trench-733620/|title=Review: Twenty One Pilots Still Stressed, More Cohesive on 'Trench'|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006035213/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-twenty-one-pilots-still-stressed-more-cohesive-on-trench-733620/|archive-date=October 6, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 14, 2020}} but the song is a departure from the conceptual nature of that record as well as its predecessor Blurryface (2015). On April 6, Joseph disclosed on Twitter that it was the first song he had written on an electric guitar, although he needed "a few days to finish it up". He added that he would send his bandmate Josh Dun the files for the song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-new-song-on-the-way-tyler-joseph-twitter-2641697|title=Twenty One Pilots have a new song on the way, according to Tyler Joseph|last=Moore|first=Sam|website=NME|date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410115000/https://www.nme.com/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-new-song-on-the-way-tyler-joseph-twitter-2641697|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} The song was released as a standalone single three days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-to-release-new-track-level-of-concern-today-2643915|title=Listen to Twenty One Pilots encourage hope on new track 'Level of Concern'|last=Reilly|first=Nick|website=NME|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410120235/https://www.nme.com/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-to-release-new-track-level-of-concern-today-2643915|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/twenty-one-pilots-have-dropped-a-brand-new-song-level-of-concern/|title=twenty one pilots Have Dropped a Brand-New Song, Level of Concern|website=Kerrang!|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410120504/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/twenty-one-pilots-have-dropped-a-brand-new-song-level-of-concern/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} A portion of the revenue generated by the single was donated to Crew Nation, a global relief fund by Live Nation for touring and venue personnel affected by the pandemic.

"Level of Concern" is defined as a dance-pop, pop rock and dance-rock song with elements of funk, pop and soft rock that runs for a duration of three minutes and forty seconds.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern-quarantine-video-1234576099/|title=Twenty One Pilots Offer a Danceable Quarantine Anthem with 'Level of Concern' (Watch)|last=Willman|first=Chris|website=Variety|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410122132/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern-quarantine-video-1234576099/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9355779/first-stream-twenty-one-pilots-the-strokes-selena-gomez|title=First Stream: New Music From Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Selena Gomez & More|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410204022/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9355779/first-stream-twenty-one-pilots-the-strokes-selena-gomez|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Twenty One Pilots - Level of Concern|url=https://www1.wdr.de/radio/wdr2/musik/neu-auf-wdr2/neuvorstellung-musik-twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern-102.html|last=WDR|date=May 11, 2020|website=www1.wdr.de|language=de|access-date=May 27, 2020}}{{cite web | url =https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0209900 | title=Twenty One Pilots "Level of Concern" Sheet Music in E Minor| website=Musicnotes| date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Twenty One Pilots Drop New Track Level Of Concern - Stereoboard|url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/227995/9|last=Johnson|first=Laura|website=Stereoboard.com|access-date=May 11, 2020}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music, it is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderately fast tempo of 122 beats per minute. "Level of Concern" is composed in the key of E minor, while Tyler Joseph's vocal range spans two octaves, from the low-note of D₃ to the high-note of D₅. The song has a basic sequence of C_maj7–Bm₇–Am₇ in the introduction and verses, alternates between the chords of C_maj7 and Am₇ during the pre-chorus, and follows Em–C–Am–G–D at the refrain, bridge and outro as its chord progression.

The musical arrangement has an "upbeat groove" built around a "shimmering disco-esque guitar" before a beat played by Dun is added.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/twenty-one-pilots-new-song-level-of-concern-coronavirus-981055/|title=Twenty One Pilots Dance Toward Hope on 'Level of Concern'|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410122559/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/twenty-one-pilots-new-song-level-of-concern-coronavirus-981055/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Omar Sanchez compared its groove to the band's single "Ride",{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern/|title=Twenty One Pilots release the first quarantine anthem 'Level of Concern'|last=Sanchez|first=Omar|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410124059/https://ew.com/music/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} while Billboard journalist Chris Payne opined that the beat had "strong "Walking on a Dream" vibes," and also dubbed the single a "hashtag-2020 song" due to its frequent references to the pandemic.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9354939/twenty-one-pilots-level-concern-video|title=Twenty One Pilots Take on the Quarantine Blues With 'Level of Concern': Watch|last=Payne|first=Chris|magazine=Billboard|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410124703/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9354939/twenty-one-pilots-level-concern-video|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}} The lyrics focus on finding hope and optimism in difficult times, with Joseph describing it as "simple but hopeful," but are "still earnest and honest about the chaos everywhere." Chris Willman of Variety considered that the upbeat instrumental assuages the "anxiety" found in the lyrics, which also discuss "finding the right bunker-mate" with lines such as "would you be my little quarantine".

Chris Payne of Billboard described "Level of Concern" as a "bop" with a "nimble" chorus, while Caryn Ganz called it "a delicious bit of '80s pop-funk that revels in its simplicity" in her assessment for The New York Times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/arts/music/playlist-frank-ocean-charli-xcx-twenty-one-pilots.html|title=Neil Young's Call to Action, and 14 More New Songs|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|last2=Caramanica|first2=Jon|last3=Ganz|first3=Caryn|last4=Russonello|first4=Giovanni|website=The New York Times|date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411075659/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/arts/music/playlist-frank-ocean-charli-xcx-twenty-one-pilots.html|archive-date=April 11, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 11, 2020}} Variety{{'}}s Chris Willman found that, rather than being a "quick novelty knock-off" about quarantining, the track sounded "fully produced". Jason Lipshutz, also of Billboard, claimed that the track is "the first true anthem of the coronavirus age", and speculated that it could become a commercial success due to it having a more radio-friendly style than Trench, as well as "words that anyone could relate to at this moment". Similarly, Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Omar Sanchez dubbed it "the first quarantine anthem".

Despite not registering a full week of tracking activity, "Level of Concern" debuted at number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart (an extension of the Billboard Hot 100), number two on the Hot Rock Songs chart and number nineteen on the Alternative Songs chart in the United States with 7,000 digital sales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2020/04/14/twenty-one-pilots-have-scored-the-first-real-coronavirus-related-hit-single/|title=Twenty One Pilots Have Scored The First Real Coronavirus-Related Hit Single|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|website=Forbes|date=April 14, 2020|access-date=April 15, 2020}} In its first full week of tracking, the track entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number twenty-three with 10.6 million streams and 12,000 downloads, making it their second-highest debut on that chart, and unseated Panic! at the Disco{{'}}s "High Hopes" from the top of the Hot Rock Songs chart, becoming the first song at number one on the chart not by Panic! at the Disco since November 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9361985/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern-hot-rock-songs-chart|title=Twenty One Pilots' 'Level of Concern' Dethrones This Band From Hot Rock Songs No. 1 for First Time Since 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=April 20, 2020|accessdate= April 20, 2020}} It also became their seventh number-one hit on the Alternative Songs chart, making them the seventh band with the most number-one hits on the chart at the time, which they are now the fourth as of 2022.{{cite magazine |last=Ruterhford |first=Kevin |title=Twenty One Pilots' Latest Has Already Reached the Top 'Level' on Alternative Songs Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9371727/twenty-one-pilots-level-of-concern-tops-alt-songs-chart |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |date=May 5, 2020}}

In late 2023, for the 35th anniversary of Alternative Airplay,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/alternative-airplay-chart-35th-anniversary-foo-fighters-all-time-low-rule-1235408126/|title=Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|magazine=Billboard|date=September 7, 2023|access-date=November 15, 2023}} Billboard published a list of the top 100 most successful songs in the chart's history; "Level of Concern" was ranked at number 26.{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006001750/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-alternative-songs/|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-alternative-songs/|title=Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs|archive-date=October 6, 2023|access-date=November 15, 2023|url-status=live|magazine=Billboard}}

The music video for "Level of Concern" was shared upon the song's release on April 9, 2020, and was directed by frequent collaborator Reel Bear Media. It features additional appearances from Joseph's wife Jenna, their daughter Rosie, and Dun's wife Debby Ryan.{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Koltan |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Yes, Josh Dun and Debby Ryan did get secretly married when you thought |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/josh-dun-debby-ryan-married/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521172827/https://www.altpress.com/news/josh-dun-debby-ryan-married/ |archive-date=May 21, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |website=Alternative Press}} It loosely documents the creation of the song and video as Joseph and Dun individually record and film their parts, uploading the audio and video onto a USB flash drive and sending it via snail-mail (although it is revealed that the two are living next door to each other at the end of the video). This is cut between clips of Joseph and Dun spending time with their respective partners and decorating their houses with flashing lights and fluorescent stars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/04/twenty-one-pilots-share-video-for-level-of-concern/|title=Twenty One Pilots Share Video for 'Level of Concern'|website=Spin|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410142822/https://www.spin.com/2020/04/twenty-one-pilots-share-video-for-level-of-concern/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/listen-twenty-one-pilots-new-song-level-of-concern|title=LISTEN: Twenty One Pilots' New Song 'Level of Concern'|last=Rogers|first=Jack|website=Rock Sound|date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410143141/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/listen-twenty-one-pilots-new-song-level-of-concern|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loOWKm8GW6A|title=twenty one pilots - Level of Concern (Official Video)|website=YouTube|date=April 9, 2020|access-date=April 10, 2020}}

A separate music video for the song was released in the form of a continuous stream. Dubbed the "never-ending music video", it ran for 178 days, from June 22 to December 18, 2020.{{cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |title=Twenty One Pilots' 'never-ending' video for 'Level Of Concern' comes to a close |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/twenty-one-pilots-never-ending-video-for-level-of-concern-comes-to-a-close-2842396 |website=NME|date=December 18, 2020 }} Guinness World Records certified it as the longest music video in history.{{Cite web |title=Longest music video |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/71833-longest-music-video |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records}}

On June 12, 2020, a subset of the official Twenty One Pilots website began to accept alphanumerical codes in a specific format: "LOC-XXX-XXX-XXXXY", with "X" being digits and "Y" being letters. These events followed a Tweet made on the official band account that included a code in the format reading, "LOC-061-220-2012P".{{Cite tweet|author=Twenty One Pilots|user=twentyonepilots|number=1270748358794190849|date=June 10, 2020|title=https://youtu.be/LlHHX8anhOg|accessdate=June 24, 2020}} Fans determined that the code translated to June 12, 2020, at 12:00, which was when the YouTube livestream began and the website began to accept codes. The livestream, which streamed from the official band account and ultimately lasted 24 hours, included clues to codes, although later codes were more dependent on files that users unlocked and downloaded through the website using the previous codes. These file downloads included clues that became progressively more difficult to decipher, such as images, words and short videos. Through the images, fans were able to create an alphabet based on the symbols included, which ultimately led to the solutions of later downloads. Behind-the-scenes clips and pictures of the band were also included inside the files, which were titled "USB", followed by the number of the code that unlocked the file (i.e., USB20). Codes 1 to 20 have been found.{{Cite web|title=What Are Twenty One Pilots Up To? - News|url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/what-are-twenty-one-pilots-up-to|access-date=June 14, 2020|website=Rock Sound Magazine|language=en|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613061627/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/what-are-twenty-one-pilots-up-to|url-status=dead}}

The final file download led users to a website that initially allowed them to input their name, mailing address, and Twitter handle. The first 500 individuals to do so received a physical flash drive containing exclusive images, videos, and old demo tracks from 2011.{{cite web |title=A REAL Level of Concern Flash drive from TWENTY ONE PILOTS! Scaled and icy?? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl0UdeFeAyM |website=YouTube |publisher=Joseph}} As more responses were entered, the website was changed to show only a message of congratulations.

Credits adapted from Tidal.

• Tyler Joseph – vocals, production, synthesizers, recording, songwriting, bass, guitar, keyboards
• Paul Meany – production, synthesizers
• Chris Gehringer – mastering
• Adam Hawkins – mixing
• Josh Dun – drumming, percussion, backing vocals

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Level of Concern"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Twenty One Pilots|title=Level of Concern|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=October 31, 2022|refname=brazilcert}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=|title=Level Of Concern|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2020|access-date=July 23, 2020|refname=canadacert}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Twenty One Pilots|title=Level of Concern|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|certmonth=8|access-date=December 17, 2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Twenty One Pilots|title=Level of Concern|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=October 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Twenty One Pilots|title=Level of Concern|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|access-date=June 23, 2023|id=19053-4148-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Twenty One Pilots|title=Level of Concern|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=November 29, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|loOWKm8GW6A|"Level of Concern" music video}}

{{Twenty One Pilots}}

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Category:2020 singles

Category:2020 songs

Category:American dance-pop songs

Category:American pop rock songs

Category:Dance-rock songs

Category:Songs about diseases and disorders

Category:Songs written by Tyler Joseph

Category:Twenty One Pilots songs

Category:Songs about the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Fueled by Ramen singles

Category:Charity singles

Category:World record holders