West's second and third studio albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007), both debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, with the latter becoming his most commercially successful to date. Three of his subsequent albums—808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and The Life of Pablo (2016)—were certified triple platinum, while Yeezus (2013) was certified double platinum. Although not as well-received critically as his previous works, Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021) continued West's streak of consecutive number-one debuts on the Billboard 200. West has also released collaborative albums including Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi, and Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 (2024) with Ty Dolla Sign. In fashion design, he has collaborated with Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, and Gap Inc. on clothing and footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
One of the world's best-selling music artists with 160 million records sold, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint 11th-most of all time and the most awarded for any hip hop artist along with Jay-Z. His other accolades include a Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. West holds the joint record with Bob Dylan for most albums (four) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. West's first six solo albums were included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2020, with the same publication naming him one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
West's outspoken views have received significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on social media, at award shows, and in public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and slavery. His Christian faith, high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian, and mental health have also been topics of media attention. In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that advocated for a consistent life ethic. In October 2022, he was widely condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships, including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, after making a series of antisemitic statements, including denying the Holocaust.
./Burn
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What if you don't bow down? Yeah
Ridin' in the wind, God bless
She's an inferno, it's a hell of a time
Burnin' like a candlelight
Your love is dangerous
Your love is, my love is
Burnin' like a candlelight (are you not entertained?)
Your love is dangerous
Your love is, my love is (are you not entertained?)
Our love is
Who's not entertained by my pain?
Who ain't cash a check off my name?
When my campaign turned to canned pain
I burned eight billion to take off my chains
Burn, baby, burn
Sometimes it hurts, I guess I never learned
To who it may concern, the CEO of the firm
Is now somewhere smoking sherm with Big Worm
Man, a couple wrong turns
Could fry you forever, it's a permanent perm
You charging for cookie, that's bang for your buck
If you kissin' on the mouth, you ain't charging enough
You heard I was flyin' 'em out
They was tryin' for clout, I was dyin' of gout
Man, the world gone mad
Heard R. Kelly in the next Balenciaga ad
Burnin' like a candlelight (burn)
Your love is dangerous
Your love is, my love is
Our love is
Burnin' like a candlelight
Your love is dangerous
Your love is, my love is
Our love is
Her body like the wild, wild west
What if you don't bow down? Yeah
Ridin' in the wind, God bless
She's an inferno, it's a hell of a time
In these lyrics from Kanye West's song "Burn" featuring Ty Dolla $ign, the theme of passion, intensity, and rebellion is prominently displayed. The opening lines describe a woman with a wild and untamed allure, akin to the wild, wild west. There is a sense of defiance and non-conformity as the question "What if you don't bow down?" suggests a challenge to traditional expectations or norms. The imagery of riding in the wind with a blessing from God further emphasizes a sense of freedom and divine protection in the face of chaos.
The repeated refrain of "Burnin' like a candlelight" juxtaposed with the assertion that "Your love is dangerous" suggests a volatile and consuming love that is both irresistible and potentially harmful. The line "Our love is" implies a shared experience of this intensity, blurring the lines between individual identities in the context of a passionate relationship. The reference to being entertained serves as a provocative question, questioning the reactions and motivations of others towards the artist's struggles and successes.
The subsequent verse delves into themes of pain, exploitation, and materialism. Kanye West reflects on the exploitation of his struggles and fame, questioning who benefits from his pain and identity. The reference to burning eight billion to take off chains symbolizes a costly liberation from oppressive forces, both literal and metaphorical. The mention of selling out, drug use, and societal madness conveys a disillusionment with fame and its trappings, highlighting the darker side of success and celebrity culture.
Returning to the chorus, the comparison of the woman's body to the wild west is reiterated, emphasizing her untamed and powerful presence. The defiance and rebellious spirit are once again evoked through the imagery of not bowing down and riding in the wind. The woman is depicted as an inferno, symbolizing a fierce and intense energy that creates a tumultuous yet exhilarating experience. Overall, the lyrics in "Burn" explore themes of passion, rebellion, love, pain, and identity, inviting listeners to reflect on the complexities and contradictions of modern existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Her body like the wild, wild west
Her physique is untamed and free-spirited, reminiscent of the unpredictable and adventurous nature of the wild west.
What if you don't bow down? Yeah
What happens if you refuse to submit or show deference to her?
Ridin' in the wind, God bless
Navigating life's challenges with resilience and grace, feeling grateful for the journey.
She's an inferno, it's a hell of a time
She exudes intense passion and energy, making every moment exhilarating and overwhelming.
Burnin' like a candlelight
The flame of desire is steady and bright, illuminating the depths of love and longing.
Your love is dangerous
The affection shared is risky, potentially leading to emotional turmoil and heartache.
Your love is, my love is
Both your feelings and mine are intertwined in a complex emotional dance.
Our love is
The connection we share transcends individuality, creating a bond that is uniquely ours.
Burnin' like a candlelight (are you not entertained?)
The passion burns brightly, and I question if this intensity captivates your interest.
Who's not entertained by my pain?
Is there anyone who doesn't find a sense of amusement or intrigue in my struggles?
Who ain't cash a check off my name?
Many have profited from my reputation and experiences, capitalizing on my identity.
When my campaign turned to canned pain
What was once a powerful movement has been reduced to mere commercialized suffering.
I burned eight billion to take off my chains
I sacrificed vast resources in a bid for freedom and individuality.
Burn, baby, burn
A call for transformation and intensity, embracing the flames of change.
Sometimes it hurts, I guess I never learned
Pain is an inevitable part of growth, yet I find myself making the same mistakes repeatedly.
To who it may concern, the CEO of the firm
A message directed at those in power, possibly reflecting on corporate control and influence.
Is now somewhere smoking sherm with Big Worm
The leader may be indulging in escapism, seeking oblivion in a reckless manner.
Man, a couple wrong turns
Life's missteps can lead to dire consequences and irreversible outcomes.
Could fry you forever, it's a permanent perm
Making the wrong decisions can leave lasting scars, altering your existence indefinitely.
You charging for cookie, that's bang for your buck
If you are monetizing intimate encounters, you're getting good value for your investment.
If you kissin' on the mouth, you ain't charging enough
If you're being intimate without proper compensation, you're undervaluing yourself.
You heard I was flyin' 'em out
Rumors circulate about my extravagant lifestyle, possibly involving flights for romantic interests.
They was tryin' for clout, I was dyin' of gout
While others seek fame, I deal with real physical struggles, feeling trapped by my circumstances.
Man, the world gone mad
Reflecting on the chaos and absurdity of contemporary societal issues.
Heard R. Kelly in the next Balenciaga ad
Acknowledging the bizarre amalgamation of celebrity culture and controversial figures in high fashion.
Burnin' like a candlelight (burn)
Reiterating the persistent, passionate fire of attraction and obsession.
Your love is dangerous
Reaffirming the notion that the love we share is fraught with risks and challenges.
Your love is, my love is
A recognition of the intertwining nature of our feelings once more.
Our love is
Emphasizing the uniqueness and complexity of our shared emotional journey.
Her body like the wild, wild west
Returning to the imagery of her as enticing and unpredictable, representing freedom.
What if you don't bow down? Yeah
Revisiting the theme of defiance and questioning the dynamics of submission.
Ridin' in the wind, God bless
Concluding with a sense of resilience in the face of life's whirlwind, feeling thankful.
She's an inferno, it's a hell of a time
Summarizing her intense, captivating presence that turns every moment into an unforgettable experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Written by: Kanye West, Tyrone Griffin jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aurelius_0z
ong best song of the album, wish it was LONGER tho
@polar_fish3214
if it was longer kanye would just ruin like 530, the 1st verse was fvcking great but the second part was kinda ahh
@aidanrogers6767
Best song of the vultures project, Ty singing is perfect and Kanye rapping is perfect, beat is perfect, cant be beat
@imsuchakid6226
This song is so good it reminds me of old Kanye
@MaximillianPushker
This song is by far the best song on Vultures. Late Registration is screaming on this song 🗣
@YameteKudasaiii-ml9lk
This song gives a very fresh vibe and i like it sm
@topbackpodcast2615
God....This is the Kanye rapping I've been begging to hear again for the last 6 years or so. On topic and a good flow.
@RedColorBlue
better than Ye and Donda? 😭😭
@topbackpodcast2615
@ not better than Ye, but probably better than Donda. Off the Grid was the only song he rapped well on
@TheYarningCorner
The worst part is how it's so short😢