World Burn

The song "World Burn" from the Broadway musical "Mean Girls" is a powerful anthem of revenge and anger, sung by the character Regina George. Regina, the quintessential high school queen bee, expresses her desire for vengeance after being dethroned and humiliated by Cady Heron, the new girl who initially sought Regina's approval. The lyrics convey Regina's intense emotions and her plan to retaliate against those who wronged her by metaphorically 'burning' the social hierarchy and watching as chaos ensues.

Regina's use of the phrase 'I wanna watch the world burn' is a metaphor for her wish to see the social order of her high school collapse. The 'gasoline' she mentions symbolizes the means by which she intends to ignite this destruction, likely through spreading rumors and manipulating others, as is typical in high school dramas. The song also includes interjections from other students, who echo the toxic environment by hurling insults, showing the contagious nature of meanness and how it can spread like wildfire.

The song is a pivotal moment in the musical, highlighting the dark side of high school politics and the lengths to which individuals will go for revenge. It serves as a commentary on the destructive power of rumors, the cruelty of social cliques, and the impact of betrayal. Regina's character, while villainous, also reflects the pain and insecurity that can drive a person to such extremes, making her a complex and compelling figure in the narrative of "Mean Girls."