Burning
Jake Clemons Lyrics
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I thought I'd said it all
Words are tossed around
As we're both standing tall
I'll give you what you need
If you let down your stance
Apologies at hand
Strong enough now
I'll take it day by day
I'm doing what I can
But I feel like I'm letting go
Life is easier
If pride's left at the door
The ravens outside
Crying evermore
This beauty we create
These colorful new walls
Of painted mistake
I just want to be
Strong enough now
I'll take it day by day
I'm doing what I can
But I feel like I'm letting go
I just want to be
Strong enough now
I'll take it day by day
I'm doing what I can
But I feel like I'm letting go
I just want to be
Strong enough now
I'll take it day by day
I'm doing what I can
But I feel like I'm letting go
And I just want to be
Strong enough now
I'll take it day by day
I'm doing what I can
But I feel like I'm letting go
Letting go, letting go, letting go
(Letting go, letting go)
The lyrics to Jake Clemons's song "Burning" tell the story of someone who is struggling to maintain their composure and control over their life. The opening line, "I'm burning up again," suggests that this is not a new feeling for the singer. They feel like they've already said everything they can say, but they're still standing there with their words being tossed around. Despite this, the singer is willing to give the other person what they need, but only if they let down their stance. The singer feels as though they are on the verge of letting go and they're trying to do everything they can to hold on.
The second verse uses the imagery of ravens crying outside to symbolize the despair that the singer is feeling. The singer realizes that life is easier if they leave their pride at the door and work to create something new with the other person. Yet the beauty they create is marred by the mistakes they've made in the past, painted over as if they never happened. The repetition of "I just want to be strong enough now" emphasizes the singer's frustration with their inability to control the situation.
Overall, "Burning" is a poignant examination of the struggle to maintain control over one's emotions and actions while dealing with the mistakes of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm burning up again
I'm suffocating in stress and emotions yet again
I thought I'd said it all
I thought I had communicated everything important before
Words are tossed around
We're throwing words back and forth without getting anywhere
As we're both standing tall
We're both holding onto our positions despite the tension
I'll give you what you need
I'll give you what you require in order to resolve this
If you let down your stance
If you become vulnerable and lower your defenses
Apologies at hand
I'm ready to apologize for my part in this conflict
Life is easier
It's easier to get along with others when pride isn't a factor
If pride's left at the door
If both parties leave their pride behind
The ravens outside
The ominous crows outside
Crying evermore
Making a constant, mournful noise as if mourning a loss
This beauty we create
The bond we form with each other
These colorful new walls
The fresh obstacles we need to overcome
Of painted mistake
Created by our past errors
But I feel like I'm letting go
But I feel like I'm losing my grip on this connection
Letting go, letting go
I'm unable to hold on anymore
(Letting go, letting go)
Repeating that I'm abandoning this bond
And I just want to be
I simply desire to feel
Strong enough now
Powerful enough to handle my intense emotions
I'll take it day by day
I'll proceed gradually and not overreach
I'm doing what I can
I'm giving it my all
But I feel like I'm letting go
But it feels like I'm gradually slipping away
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nicholas Lowe
Great quality zooms. All of the band can be seen in turn, Jake, Nicole, Brett Mayer - keys, Matt Musty - drums, Mark Rashotte - elec guitar (touring), Lorcan O'Dwyer - Bass (touring). Really great night and I am grateful to be able to hear that rare song again and relive the moment. Thanks Kieran. p.s. You can see the legendary youtube uploader Avril V. in one of the shots.
Avril
Love that shot of Brett!