What It Is To Burn

Finch's song 'What It Is To Burn' delves into themes of emotional turmoil, existential struggle, and the search for understanding. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world on fire, both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the inner chaos of the narrator. The opening lines, 'Today's on fire / The sky is beating above me, and I am blister,' set the stage for a narrative steeped in pain and conflict. The imagery of fire and blisters suggests a sense of being overwhelmed and consumed by intense emotions or circumstances.

The recurring motif of falling 'like a bad star' highlights a sense of inevitable decline or failure. The narrator's descent is tied to a mysterious 'her,' who seems to be the only one who understands the depth of his suffering. This personification of 'her' as someone who knows 'what it is to burn' suggests a shared experience of pain and perhaps a mutual understanding of life's darker aspects. The repetition of 'She cry / She burns' emphasizes the cyclical nature of suffering and the inescapable reality of their shared anguish.

The song also touches on themes of isolation and the search for meaning. Lines like 'I feel diseased / Is there no sympathy, for the Sun' and 'I am safe in here, from the world outside' convey a sense of alienation and a desire to find solace away from the harshness of the external world. The question, 'What's the price to pay for glory,' further underscores the existential quest for purpose and the sacrifices that come with it. Through its intense imagery and emotional depth, 'What It Is To Burn' captures the essence of human suffering and the longing for connection and understanding in a tumultuous world.