Knives and Pens

"Knives and Pens" is a song by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released as a music video exclusively on YouTube. It is their first single, and is one of their most popular songs to date, with the music video reaching over 100 million views on YouTube.

Other versions
The song was re-recorded and re-released as two new versions—a version with a few vocal and guitar changes, and a limited edition Hot Topic acoustic version—alongside the songs "We Stitch These Wounds" and "The Mortician's Daughter" on their debut studio album, We Stitch These Wounds. The limited-copy acoustic version was re-released by StandBy Records to the general public for download on March 19, 2013.

Meaning behind "Knives and Pens"
The lyrics were written by Black Veil Brides vocalist Andy Biersack around the title "Knives and Pens" which, according to him describes a choice: Knives — destruction (as in harming yourself), and Pens — creation (as in the choice he decided to make to begin writing music and make something of their life). Black Veil Brides is saying in this song that “if you make good choices in life, you can rise above and conquer whatever troubles you may come across. ”

Intro clip
The clip at the beginning of the original version of the song is from the documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. It was taken from a recording of one of the West Memphis Three trials. The transcription of the clip is as follows:

Prosecutor - "In looking at young people involved in the occult, do you see any particular type of dress?"

Witness - "I have personally observed people wearing black fingernails, having their hair painted black, wearing black t-shirts... Sometimes they will tattoo themselves."

Music video
The official music video for the song was released on YouTube on June 17, 2009, directed by Patrick Fogarty, who later directed the "Perfect Weapon," "The Legacy," "Rebel Love Song," and "Coffin" music videos. The video stars actor David Sasik, who is playing the role of the kid resembling Andy. It was a very low-budget project, but despite this, the video launched the band into international fame. The official video has reached over 126 million views on YouTube as of December 16, 2020.

Video plot
The music video depicts a scenario similar to Andy's years in school, where he was bullied for the way he dressed, looked and the music he listened to.

A boy walks to his school locker and sees papers taped to it that have hurtful messages written on them, such as "emo", "fag", and "kill yourself". He rips them down and throws them to the ground in anger. Even his brother bullies him, stealing his notebook that he writes lyrics inspired by his feelings of anger in. He goes home angry, but his brother eventually comes in and returns his notebook. He then proceeds to begin writing the lyrics to "Knives and Pens". He also is seen watching the video of Black Veil Brides playing the song and there are clips of the band playing with occasionally dressing in white and occasionally dressing in black.

Acoustic version video
Black Veil Brides released a lyric video for the acoustic version of "Knives and Pens" on March 20, 2013, through StandBy Records

Track listing

 * CD single [1st version]


 * CD single [2nd version]


 * Acoustic single

Personnel

 * Black Veil Brides (studio band)
 * Andy Biersack – lead vocals, keyboards
 * Johnny Herold – lead guitar
 * Nate Shipp – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
 * Phil Cenedella – bass
 * Chris "Craven" Riesenberg - drums


 * Music video band/production
 * Andy Biersack – vocals
 * Gianna Cianci - screams
 * Chris "Hollywood" Bluser – guitar
 * Sandra Alvarenga – drums
 * David Sasik – leading actor
 * Patrick Fogarty – director