Burning Bridges
OneRepublic Lyrics


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You and I were meant to be
Ain't no doubt about it
No way to hide that sort of thing
Now I'm waiting for something better
Ain't nothing better worth imagining

I, I keep on running
I'm building bridges that I know you never wanted
Look for my heart
You stole it away
Now I'll never sing the road that I could take

Listen, I
Want you to burn my bridges down (down)
I said I
Want you to burn my bridges down (down, down)
Set me on fire
You set me
Set me on fire
You can burn my bridges down

Send this out to sea
You send it where you wanted
You can take it note for note or not at all
There's no filling up your spaces with fictionary places
Imaginary faces they don't work at all

I, I keep on running
I'm building bridges that I know you never wanted
Look for my heart
You stole it away

Now I'll never sing the road that I could take
Listen,
I want you to burn my bridges down
Said I
Want you to burn my bridges down (down, down)
Set me on fire
You set me
Set me on fire
Girl you burnt my bridges down

I
Want you to burn my bridges down,
Down
I
Want you to burn my bridges down yeah
Set me on fire
You set me
Set me on fire
Set me on fire

I
Want you to burn my bridges down
I said, I
Want you to burn my bridges down (down, down)




Set me on fire
Set me on fire

Overall Meaning

The verses of OneRepublic's Burning Bridges clearly emphasize the singer's confusion and disappointment with his broken relationship. The lyrics highlight a contradiction between an intense connection the singer feels between him and his partner, and his awareness that their relationship has come to an end. The lines, "You and I were meant to be, Ain't no doubt about it. No way to hide that sort of thing," indicate that the singer has a clear understanding that the connection between them was real and irreplaceable. However, he also acknowledges that waiting for something better is the only option, "Now I'm waiting for something better. Ain't nothing better worth imagining."


The chorus of the song is a plea from the singer asking his partner to burn their bridges and sever all ties between them. This request is, in a way, a plea for closure from the singer. He is tired of running and building bridges that his partner never wanted. "I keep on running, I'm building bridges that I know you never wanted." He wants to move on with his life and desires his partner to do the same, "Send this out to sea, You can take it note for note or not at all, There's no filling up your spaces with fictional places, Imaginary faces, they don't work at all." He concludes by repeating how he wants his bridges burned down, and for his partner to set him on fire so he can start anew.


Line by Line Meaning

You and I were meant to be
The singer believes that he and his partner were destined to be together.


Ain't no doubt about it
He is sure about his feelings.


No way to hide that sort of thing
Their chemistry is undeniable and cannot be ignored.


Now I'm waiting for something better
Despite their connection, he is still hoping for something even greater.


Ain't nothing better worth imagining
He cannot imagine anything that could top what he has with his partner.


I, I keep on running
He keeps pursuing something that he knows is not right for him.


I'm building bridges that I know you never wanted
He is trying to create something that his partner does not desire.


Look for my heart
He put his heart on the line.


You stole it away
His partner broke his heart.


Now I'll never sing the road that I could take
He will never be able to explore other paths because of the heartache he experienced.


I want you to burn my bridges down (down)
He is urging his partner to destroy any chance of reconciliation.


Send this out to sea
He wants to let go of the pain and move on.


You send it where you wanted
He wants his partner to have control over where the pain goes.


You can take it note for note or not at all
His partner can handle the pain however they choose.


There's no filling up your spaces with fictionary places
He realizes that he cannot replace his partner with imaginary people and things.


Imaginary faces they don't work at all
Trying to create replacements for his partner is futile.


Girl you burnt my bridges down
He acknowledges that his partner has destroyed any possible future they may have had.


Set me on fire
He wants to feel the pain of this loss fully.


You set me
His partner is responsible for his pain.


I want you to burn my bridges down
He reiterates his plea for his partner to end any possibility of reconciliation.


Set me on fire
He is emphasizing that he is willing to endure the pain of this loss.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH EDWARD MACKLIN, NICK FURLONG, RYAN TEDDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@maxrg7

You and I were meant to be 
Aint no doubt about it 
No way to hide that sort of thing 
Now I’m waiting for something better 
Aint nothing better worth imagining 

I, I keep on running 
I’m building bridges that I know you never wanted 
Look for my heart 
You stole it away 
Now I’ll never sing the road that I could take 
Listen, I want you to burn my bridges down 
I said, I want you to burn my bridges down 
Set me on Fire 
You set me 
Set me on Fire 
You can burn my bridges down 

 

Send this out to sea 
Send it where you wanted 
You can take your no for no or not at all 
There’s no filling up your spaces with fictionary places 
Imaginary faces they don’t work at all 

I, I keep on running 
I’m building bridges that I know you never wanted 
Look for my heart 
You stole it away 
Now I’ll never sing the road that I could take 
Listen, I want you to burn my bridges down 
I said, I want you to burn my bridges down 
Set me on Fire 
You set me 
Set me on Fire 
Girl you burnt my bridges down 

I want you to burn my bridges down, down 
I want you to burn my bridges down 
Set me on fire 
You set me 
Set me on Fire 
Set me on Fire 
I want you to burn my bridges down 
I said, I want you to burn my bridges down 
Down, Down 
Set me on fire 
Set me on fire



All comments from YouTube:

@emmakkk6438

one of my favorite songs! still listening in 2023

@GeneCarrasca

Another song from Onerepublic that is underrated. Honestly, I actually listen to this group more than any other artist I hear on radio. GO ONEREPUBLIC!!

@yigitkaansahbazoglu

+Gene A. Carrasca It has 7.5 million views, how is it underrated?

@aboodzx5150

+Yiğit Kaan ŞAHBAZOĞLU It deserves more

@hmdzaf7451

+Yiğit Kaan ŞAHBAZOĞLU Not all people know this song. But hey, I like listening to songs that most people don't know, haha

@taniaglezr84

Aldo Feel Again and Something I Need, I think those one are the greatest

@rockie0708

GeneCARRASCA it's the music industry so congested and I think it is a disgrace that so many phenomenal songs from one republic do not get the credit and airplay. It's very difficult for bands to sell today. Although counting stars was a massive hit, and rightly so.

17 More Replies...

@g.r9736

This song is seriously underrated.

@ninamyte1664

Gabriel Raphael Yes. It is my favorite from Native

@highiq6591

This is my 1st time to hear this and I can't stop.

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