Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
If I Burn
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could beg a thousand times
I could explain I could use rhymes
And rhythms meant to catch your eye
But I know you wont see
I could cry a thousand tears
But the louder that I scream the harder your machines close over me
But I don't care, maybe i'm afraid but still I swear
You could take my life with conscience clear but you should still hear
That if I burn
You will see the fire in your mind when you sleep
And if I rise up in smoke around your eyes you'll know its me
And the rain won't wash away the ashes underneath your nails today
Doesn't matter where you go or what you do
Cause if I burn, so will you
I could bargin but i'd lose
Youll sell the parts that you don't use
Yes, I could beg you to be merciful and set me free
I could threaten you with hell or i could promise not to tell
But the softer I become the harder your machines close over me.
But I don't care, maybe i'm afraid but still I swear,
You could take my life with conscience clear, but you should still hear
And if I burn
You will see the fire in your mind when you sleep
And if I rise up in smoke around your eyes you'll know its me
And the rain won't wash away the ashes underneath your nails today
Doesn't matter where you go or what you do
Cause if I burn, so will you.
When you sleep you'll feel my icy fingers crawling down your back
And when you wake you'll find me right beside you waiting to attack
And when you walk i will be right behind you quickening my steps
And when you try to shut me out I will be laughing in your head.
Oh i'll be there, maybe i'm afraid but still I swear
You could take my life with conscience clear but you should still hear
That if I burn
You will see the fire in your mind when you sleep
And if I rise up in smoke around your eyes you'll know its me
And the rain won't wash away the ashes underneath your nails today
Doesn't matter where you go or what you do
Cause if I burn, so will you
There are two sides to every story...
Except for THIS ONE.
It's not over till it's over
And it's never over
You can break me
Death can take me
But it's never over
It's not over till it's over
And it's never over
You can break me
Death can take me
But it's never over
The song "If I Burn" by Emilie Autumn is a haunting and dark tune that speaks of a person's refusal to give in to another's power over them. The song opens with a whispered "I'm here," giving the listener a chill that sets the mood for the rest of the track. The lyrics speak of someone who is trapped and powerless, begging and pleading with the one who has control over them. However, the more they try to appeal to this person's mercy, the more they are met with resistance, with "harder machines" closing over them. Despite the hopelessness of their situation, the singer is resolute in their belief that they will not be broken, and that even if they do "burn," the other person will suffer the consequences.
The lyrics of the song are highly metaphorical and can be interpreted in many ways. Some interpret it as being about an abusive relationship, with the singer being trapped by their abuser and unable to escape. Others see it as a commentary on society's systems of power, where individuals can be held down by those in authority. Some see it as a metaphor for mental illness, with the singer struggling against the dark thoughts that plague them. Whatever the interpretation, the song is an anthem for survivors who refuse to give in to those who would control them.
Line by Line Meaning
I could beg a thousand times
I could explain I could use rhymes
And rhythms meant to catch your eye
But I know you wont see
The singer has tried numerous ways to approach the listener, but knows it won't make a difference because the listener has no interest in hearing what is being said.
I could cry a thousand tears
I could appease your secret fears
But the louder that I scream the harder your machines close over me
The singer has tried to show vulnerability and empathy towards the listener, but feels suffocated by the listener's lack of response.
That if I burn
You will see the fire in your mind when you sleep
And if I rise up in smoke around your eyes you'll know its me
And the rain won't wash away the ashes underneath your nails today
Doesn't matter where you go or what you do
Cause if I burn, so will you
The singer is warning the listener that if they continue to ignore the singer, the repercussions will be severe and everlasting.
I could bargin but i'd lose
Youll sell the parts that you don't use
Yes, I could beg you to be merciful and set me free
I could threaten you with hell or i could promise not to tell
But the softer I become the harder your machines close over me.
The artist knows that no matter how they try to reason with the listener, the listener will only continue to view them as an object or commodity.
When you sleep you'll feel my icy fingers crawling down your back
And when you wake you'll find me right beside you waiting to attack
And when you walk i will be right behind you quickening my steps
And when you try to shut me out I will be laughing in your head.
The artist's presence will haunt the listener in all aspects of their life and the listener will never be able to escape the consequences of their actions.
There are two sides to every story...
Except for THIS ONE.
The singer is asserting that their perspective is the only one that matters in this specific situation.
It's not over till it's over
And it's never over
You can break me
Death can take me
But it's never over
It's not over till it's over
And it's never over
You can break me
Death can take me
But it's never over
The singer emphasizes that they will never give up or accept defeat, even in the face of death.
Contributed by Joseph Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ambercovell3011
This song has always been so freaking close to my heart. It helps me feel mean and strong in the face of abusive memories and it lets me feel vulnerable in a safe way. Definitely one of my favorites from the album.
@blueeyedwitch9840
I feel the exact same way. I always kind of rage this song in my head
@joeschulze6332
This is the type of artist that makes me wonder why she isnt more popular...incredible talent .. where has she been hiding?
@cristhianduarte5488
I really love emilie, she’s a genius
@cait6461
We need more artists like her rising to prominence in the face of sexism on the rise globally ❤
@chrismanuel9768
Yep, still slaps. Absolute banger.
@kira101
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry-
Procides to ugly sob
@vladimiryuriev2641
Ones infatuations shift through the years. Emile, for example focuses on her projects in theatre. That is quite fascinating but we, as listeners of her music projects feel somewhat left behind. I surely hope my own desires can coincide with hers.
@Xenon777channel
7 - 9 months since her latest uploads, just curious what is this New York Victorian cabaret person doing rn ?
@Syurtpiutha
Kicking an incredible amount of ass creatively, I gather. I've only discovered this artist yesterday and can only say 'wow'.