The song's working title was "Buried at Sea" and was recorded in February 2012, as revealed by numerous LPTVs (behind-the-scenes footage) released in April and May 2012. Lead singer Chester Bennington talked about the song in an interview with MTV, saying what made the song interesting was "the really high energy and the really strong electronic melodies and hooks kind of set this song apart, which is why we chose it as our first single." Mike Shinoda, the band's rapper and producer, noted that the song's meaning can be open to numerous interpretations, with an example being "what we do in pop culture, where we build somebody up to be the next great thing and then we just like to destroy them at the end of the day, and we've lived through that, so I think there's a lot of personal energy that went into the connection of that story." In an interview with The Huffington Post, Shinoda clarified that his explanation of "Burn It Down" was based on the band's personal experiences, saying: '...We're talking about my personal story and his personal story, and there's also a layer of pop culture that plays a role in the lyrics of the song. For example, people build up a certain celebrity or musician or actor or whatever and they're popular one minute and the next thing, you know either they've done something wrong or they've done nothing wrong and there's just a bad rumor that goes around about them and then everybody's attacking that person. That's just the way things are. We've actually lived through that as a band. All that stuff plays a role.'
The music video was directed by Joe Hahn, the band's turntablist. Filming for the video commenced on March 28, 2012. Warner Bros. Records announced that a lyric video would also premiere on April 15. It was released through YouTube. Bennington described the music video's set as an "electronic pod, full of wires and cables," as well as stating that the video features numerous visual effects. Bennington also noted the video's similarity to their live performances, saying "we're really trying to capture a live kind of element with the band just playing just very similar to how we would perform live." Bennington noted that Hahn pushed the group in making the video – "And, for whatever reason, I usually get it the worst. I've almost drowned, I had all this powder thrown in my face. ... On this new one, I was sweating like crazy. It was intense." "Burn It Down" was used in the promotional teaser for the 2012 NBA Playoffs on TNT, featuring previews of the music video. The music video premiered on May 24, 2012, on MTV. The music video was nominated for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in two categories for the Best Rock Video and Best Visual Effects. The video peaked at Vh1 India's top 50 videos of 2012 at #5. "Burn It Down"'s video was also ranked 11th of the Top 40 Music Videos Of 2012 by Fuse. As of February 2023, the music video for "Burn It Down" has over 354 million views on YouTube.
Burn It Down
Linkin Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As explosions broke in the sky
All that I needed
Was the one thing I couldn't find
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
The colors conflicted
As the flames climbed into the clouds
I wanted to fix this
But couldn't stop from tearing it down
And you were there at the turn
Caught in the burning glow
And I was there at the turn
Waiting to let you know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
You told me yes
You held me high
And I believed when you told that lie
I played soldier, you played king
And struck me down when I kissed that ring
You lost that right, to hold that crown
I built you up, but you let me down
So when you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
The lyrics of "Burn It Down" by Linkin Park are a reflection of the emotional turmoil that the singer is going through. The cycle that repeats itself denotes the recurring problems and situations that arise in their lives. They find themselves in a state of desperation of wanting one thing that they can’t find, and this is where the antagonist steps as a beacon of light, hoping to provide them with the solution. However, the building of something significant in their lives only leads to a realization that it is better to break it down and burn it down.
The colors that conflict with the different destructions in the form of flames, denote the chaos that is present in their minds. Despite their desire to fix things, the issue gets out of hand, and it becomes too late. The singer realized they have been played, hoping for a better deal, but eventually, it leads to more destruction in their life. The flames represent a force that burns within the singer, with their deceptions and destructions acting as kindling, soon to be lit, and fuel to burn everything to the ground.
In short, the lyrics tell the story of a person who is struggling to find a way out of the destructive cycle that repeats itself constantly in their life. They find hope in others, only to be let down and eventually fall prey to their inner demons that lead them to a fiery destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
The cycle repeated
The same negative events or patterns keep happening and repeating themselves.
As explosions broke in the sky
As major things happened that were disruptive and potentially catastrophic.
All that I needed
There was one thing that was missing and it was absolutely necessary.
Was the one thing I couldn't find
The necessary thing was missing or unattainable, causing a sense of frustration or hopelessness.
And you were there at the turn
There was a significant moment or turning point, and you were present for it.
Waiting to let me know
You had important information or guidance to share with me, and were waiting for the right moment to speak up.
We're building it up
We're working hard and putting a lot of effort into making something happen.
To break it back down
Despite all our effort, something is going to come along and ruin it or undo what we've done.
To burn it down
We're so frustrated or angry about the inevitable failure that we're willing to destroy it ourselves before anyone else can.
We can't wait
We're impatient or desperate to see the destruction happen, and can't stand any further delay or obstacles.
The colors conflicted
Things were out of balance or discordant, and it created a sense of unease or chaos.
As the flames, climbed into the clouds
The chaos and destruction rose to daunting heights, seeming to engulf everything else.
I wanted to fix this
There was a sincere desire to make things right again and resolve the conflicts.
But couldn't stop from tearing it down
Despite the desire to fix things, there was a compulsion or lack of control that led to further destruction.
Caught in the burning glow
Still present and part of the chaos and destruction, unable to escape it.
And I was there at the turn
There was another pivotal moment or turning point, and I was present for it as well.
Waiting to let you know
There was important information or guidance I had to share with you, but I was waiting for the right moment to do so.
You told me yes
You gave me assurances or made promises that turned out to be untrue or false.
You held me high
You raised my hopes or expectations, only to dash them later.
And I believed when you told that lie
I was taken in by your falsehoods or manipulations, and didn't realize until later that they were not truthful.
I played soldier, you played king
I was working hard and trying to do the right thing, while you were acting entitled and self-important.
And struck me down, when I kissed that ring
Despite my efforts, you punished me for seeking approval or validation from you.
You lost that right, to hold that crown
Your behavior or actions led to a loss of authority or power over others.
I built you up, but you let me down
I had put you in a position of respect or authority, but you betrayed that trust and caused disappointment instead.
So when you fall, I'll take my turn
When you experience the same failure or downfall that you inflicted on me, I'll have my chance to respond.
And fan the flames
I will take pleasure or satisfaction in watching your ruin or downfall happen.
As your blazes burn
As everything you built burns and crumbles, I will watch with a sense of justice or satisfaction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chester Charles Bennington, Robert G. Bourdon, Brad Delson, Mike Shinoda, Dave Farrell, Joseph Hahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samanthasantin2515
🎶BURN IT DOWN 🎶
The cycle repeated
As explosions broken in the sky
All that i needed
Was the one thing i couldn't find
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to left me know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
The colors conflicted
As the flames
Climbed into the clouds
I wanted to fix this
But couldn't stop
From tearing it down
And you were there at the turn
Caught in the burning glow
And i was there at the turnt
Waiting to let you know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
You told me yes
You held mi high
And i believed
When you told that lie
I played soldier
You played king
And struck me down
When i kissed that ring
You lost that right
To hold that crown
I built you up
But you let me down
So when you fall
I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to left me know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall
I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall
I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
@supercaio009
"Burn It Down"
The cycle repeated
As explosions broke in the sky
All that I needed
Was the one thing I couldn't find
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
The colors conflicted
As the flames climbed into the clouds.
I wanted to fix this
But couldn't stop from tearing it down.
And you were there at the turn
Caught in the burning glow
And I was there at the turn
Waiting to let you know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
You told me, "Yes"
You held me high
And I believed when you told that lie
I played soldier, you played king
And struck me down, when I kissed that ring
You lost that right, to hold that crown
I built you up, but you let me down
So when you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up
To break it back down
We're building it up
To burn it down
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames
As your blazes burn
We can't wait
To burn it to the ground
@maxamdragomaretskiy3259
Lyrics:
0:42
The cycle repeated
As explosions broke in the sky
All that I needed
Was the one thing I couldn't find
And you were there at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up to break it back down
We're building it up to burn it down
We can't wait to burn it to the ground
The colors conflicted
As the flames climbed into the clouds
I wanted to fix this
But couldn't stop from tearing it down
And you were there at the turn
Caught in the burning glow
And I was there at the turn
Waiting to let you know
We're building it up to break it back down
We're building it up to burn it down
We can't wait to burn it to the ground
You told me yes, you held me high
And I believed when you told that lie
I played soldier, you played king
And struck me down when I kissed that ring
You lost that right to hold that crown
I built you up but you let me down
So when you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames as your blazes burn
And you were there, at the turn
Waiting to let me know
We're building it up to break it back down
We're building it up to burn it down
We can't wait to burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames as your blazes burn
We can't wait to burn it to the ground
When you fall, I'll take my turn
And fan the flames as your blazes burn
We can't wait to burn it to the ground
Have Fun!
@MrEdacraify
I truly feel guilty. During all these years, I enjoyed their music, his
lyrics, his voice, without knowing his was still suffering from severe
depression. I thought he was talking about his past only and, especially
when they took the path Minutes to Midnight/A Thousand Suns, I thought
he had left these dark days behind him. I thought that he was making
this music for us, I would never have imagined it was a scream for help.
Now, their songs make much more sense in a way. And, as I thought I was
a huge fan, I never understood that. Even worst for the last album.
That was a clear way to say goodbye to everyone, he was seriously
thinking about suicide way before. Chris' death was what litteraly
pushed him to do it, and he had probably planned it from a while. It's
so sad, I can't even cry because my parents wouldn't understand why I
make such a big deal about a "celebrity death". But he's not a celebrity
for me. He was like a dear friend, and he still is. Linkin Park got me
into music like NO other group did. Chester is the one that got me into
loving singing, always wondering how amazing the human voice can be.
Even though I never experienced depression, I was feeling their songs so
much, his voice was so powerful and expressive, because he was actually
suffering ... I really wished transforming that suffering into art
would have helped him. Unfortunately, not enough to save his life and
fight his demons ... I still don't believe it, part of me don't want to
and is just denying it inside of me. I will write a song for you
Chester. I feel extremely bad and I'm a stranger to you, I can't even
imagine what the band, the family and friends are going through right
now. Chester, you left us empty. But please, understand that unlike what
you might have thought, in the end, it DID matter. Because, the
wonderful human being you were made a lot of people go through their
depression, feel better, discover the power of music, thanks to you and
to Linkin Park. You have lost your battle, but you allowed many many
more to WIN theirs. So yes, it DID matter. I missed my last chance to
see LP on live, in Paris during the download festival, and I feel very
sorry about that. The day before your death, I was singing along with
you and Mike during your entire concert at Red Square Moscow, old one
but still my favorite. I was having a lot of fun and enjoyed every
minute of it, like if I was there. Thank you, thank you so much for
sharing that amazing voice and human being you were with us. I haven't
cried yet, I know it will eventually come by the time I truly realize
what happened.
"When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done, help me live
behind some reasons to be missed" "Don't resent me, and when you're
feeling empty, keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest, leave out
all the rest"
You will deeply be missed. RIP.
@anirudhrohitchandrasekar6208
2024 and Chester still hits like a ton of bricks. Still the most relevant music yet, for me at least.
@user-dp5tv8ze7y
It's the best song from linking park
@user-bb1wu7xo6q
Hey, Chester. It s already january of 2024, nothing changed. We still here, listening your songs. We never forget you. RIP Chester.
@flow-codm
He is always alive in our heart
@marialuizacardoso8019
Always remembered🙏🏻❤️
@katjusacucic2996
Great music, always remembered❤
@lewisburt3768
We love and miss you Chester ❤
@cbr-gaming8053
Chester will never be forgotten, his music has far to much meaning for a lot of people
@adhdeeeznuts
This song got me through the worst time in my life. Thank you Linkin Park for helping me when I had no one.
@MockeyMokey9958
That's what music does it helps thru the bad times and good times ❤