Beach Fossils is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, forme… Read Full Bio ↴Beach Fossils is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2009. The group currently includes Dustin Payseur, Tommy Gardner, Jack Doyle Smith and Tommy Davidson. They are known for their lo-fi, atmospheric sound and Payseur's vocal style.

Formed in 2009, the act was originally a means to expand the solo project of Dustin Payseur. That same year bassist John Peña and guitarist Christopher Burke were recruited as the lineup for their initial tour. Their debut single, Daydream / Desert Sand was released in February 2010 on Captured Tracks. In May 2010, their debut album Beach Fossilswas released and met with favorable reviews.

The following years saw a number of changes to their lineup, including when John Peña left the band in 2011 to form Heavenly Beat, and guitarist Cole Smith, who left for his solo project, DIIV. In 2012, Tommy Gardner stepped in as the drummer to form their current lineup.
Clash the Truth was released in early 2013, peaking at number 40 on the Independent Albums chart. Paysuer described it as being an album about what happens after you've solved the immediate problems that come with moving away from home - "something that just doesn't feel like it makes sense yet".

In 2017, after a long break, the third album Somersault was released

Burn You Down
Beach Fossils Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say I won't
And I will burn
You
Down

Say I won't
I will burn
You

Down

You say you wanna tag along
But I can
Smell
Your
Fear

But if you wanna hang around
Then I will
Stay
Right
Here

You say you know you're right or wrong
But do you care
Any
More

And now you only stand alone
'Cause I won't dare enter your war

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Beach Fossils's song "Burn You Down" convey a sense of defiance and a refusal to be manipulated or controlled by someone. The repetition of the phrase "Say I won't" reflects a challenge to the other person's expectations and a determination to prove them wrong. The line "And I will burn you down" is a metaphorical expression of the singer's forceful intention to resist and overcome any attempts to undermine their autonomy.

The following lines suggest that the singer can perceive the other person's fear, symbolized by the olfactory reference of smelling it. This awareness of fear gives them a sense of power and insight into the other person's vulnerability. However, the singer also offers the opportunity for the other person to join them, but only if they are willing to confront their own fears and insecurities.

The lyrics further explore the theme of individuality and self-reliance. The line "You say you know you're right or wrong, but do you care anymore" implies that the singer questions the other person's sincerity and commitment to their beliefs. The idea of standing alone and not entering someone else's war signifies a refusal to compromise one's principles or get entangled in someone else's conflicts, ultimately choosing independence over conformity.

Overall, "Burn You Down" is a defiant anthem about asserting one's independence, recognizing manipulation, and refusing to be controlled by others.

Line by Line Meaning

Say I won't
Asserting that the singer dares to take action

And I will burn
Promising to cause significant damage

You
Referring to the person being addressed

Down
To a lower or worse state

You say you wanna tag along
Stating that the person wants to join the artist

But I can
Implying the singer possesses a certain ability

Smell
Perceiving through the senses

Your
Belonging to the person being addressed

Fear
The feeling of apprehension or anxiety

But if you wanna hang around
Expressing the possibility of remaining in proximity