Toadies is an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas. The band's best… Read Full Bio ↴Toadies is an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas. The band's best known lineup consisted of Vaden Todd Lewis (guitar, vocals) Mark Reznicek (drums), Lisa Umbarger (bass), and Clark Vogeler (guitar). When the band reformed in 2006, Umbarger amicably declined to participate and has been replaced by Doni Blair. They are best known for the hit single "Possum Kingdom," from their album Rubberneck. This song was named after Possum Kingdom State Park, in Palo Pinto County, Texas.

The band formed in 1989. Toadies officially disbanded in 2001, although they had farewell concerts in 2002. The band reformed for a reunion show on March 11, 2006, headlining the Greenville Ave St. Patrick's Day parade concert.

Toadies toured extensively throughout the 1990s, opening for such artists as Red Hot Chili Peppers, White Zombie, Bush, and The Butthole Surfers. They also headlined and co-headlined tours with acts such as Brutal Juice, Baboon, Supersuckers, and The Reverend Horton Heat.

The primary reason for the breakup of the band was that Lisa Umbarger simply did not want to be a part of it anymore, and bandleader Todd Lewis felt that the band could not continue without her.

Since disbanding, members of the band have gone on to other projects. Todd Lewis is now in The Burden Brothers and Mark Reznicek is now in Eleven Hundred Springs.

Toadies reunited for 4 shows in Texas in March 2007. They played one show in Dallas, one in Houston, and two shows in Austin at Stubb's BBQ. All of the shows sold out shortly after they went onsale.

Toadies reunited for good in 2008, releasing their new album, "No Deliverance" on August 15th 2008.
In June 2010 it was announced that Feeler, the follow-up album to Rubberneck that was shelved by Interscope, would finally be seeing a release. Todd Lewis was quoted as saying: "Since there are unfinished versions floating around on the Internet, it is important to us that people hear it as we meant it to be." The album was released on July 20, 2010

I Burn
Toadies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Driftin' upward
Gently lifting
Lazy on the wind

Rollin' over
Turnin' slowly
Beginning and the end

Fire is bright
Fire is clean
Never so alive

Smoke is freedom
Flame is mercy
I am free tonight

And I burn
I burn

Stoke the embers
Cleanse the spirit
A prayer in every spark

Feel the lick of
Bad religion
The finish and the start

In the beginning
We were smarter
And the flame was heaven-sent

Through the ages
We got stupid
Now we must repent

And I burn
I burn

Sift the ashes
For reminders
Stony things remain

Tooth and bone
Unimpressive
I have left these things

Because fire is bright
Fire is clean
Efficient and divine

Tooth and bone
Charms and dolls
I am free tonight

I'm on
The air
You breathe

I'm on
The air
You Breathe

I'm on
The air
You breathe

I burn
I burn
I burn

Overall Meaning

The Toadies's song, "I Burn," portrays the theme of rebirth through the metaphorical interpretation of fire that cleanses the spirit and brings new life. The first stanza illustrates the singer's sensation of floating up while the wind carries them away. The gentle and effortless movement depicted here implies the character's peace of mind and the freedom they get from the cleansing process.

The second stanza establishes the concept that fire represents both freedom and mercy. Smoke, on the other hand, equates to burning off old and toxic elements, like bad religion. The singer claims that through the flame, they have newfound power and liberation. The line "I am free tonight" amplifies the idea that rebirth and renewal can take place through a solitary, introspective process.

The third stanza alludes to the beginning of humankind and the relationship between fire and heaven. At the same time, the following sentences discern humanity's fall into stupidity over the ages. They must repent for their wrongdoing, which goes hand in hand with destruction and rebirth.

Overall, "I Burn" communicates a message of renewal through the destructive element of fire, which acts both as a cleansing agent and a harbinger of deliverance.

Line by Line Meaning

Driftin' upward
Ascending gently

Gently lifting
Being carried softly

Lazy on the wind
Relaxing with the breeze

Rollin' over
Turning around

Turnin' slowly
Rotating at a leisurely pace

Beginning and the end
Starting and finishing

Fire is bright
Flames shine with intensity

Fire is clean
Burning away impurities

Never so alive
More alive than ever

Smoke is freedom
Being liberated by smoke

Flame is mercy
Benevolence from flames