Sam Smith Dropped “Burning” & Calls It His “Most Personal Song,” So Get Ready To Sob
Sam Smith just released another new song from his upcoming album, The Thrill Of It All, and it’s sure to give you all the feels. In fact, he said it’s his “most personal song” yet. The Sam Smith “Burning” lyrics are so filled with post-breakup emotions that you’ll understand why he said it’s about his “self destruction.” Listen to “Burning” and check out the lyrics below.
As with just about any Smith tune, you might want to have the tissues handy.
“Burning” Lyrics:
[Intro]
I've been burning, yes, I've been burning
Such a burden, this flame on my chest
No insurance to pay for the damage
Yeah, I've been burning up since you left
[Verse 1]
I've beensmoking, oh
More than twenty a day
Blame it on rebellion
Don't blame it on me
Wish I was younger
Back to the nineteenth of May
I had an open mind
Swore to never change
[Pre-Chorus]
Funny how time goes by
Had respect for myself
That river ran dry
You reached the limit
I wasn't enough
It's like the fire replaced all the love
[Chorus]
I've been burning, yes, I've been burning
Such a burden, this flame on my chest
No insurance to pay for the damage
Yeah, I've been burning up since you left
[Verse 2]
Oh, have you ever called
I will burst straight back
Give you my forgiveness
And the shirt off my back
No friends to turn to
Yeah, I messed up that
Wish we could smoke again
Just for a day, oh
[Outro]
Yeah, I've been burning up since you left
Oh, I've been burning up since you left
In an interview with BBC Radio, Smith explained, “It’s the most personal song I’ve ever written in my life.”
At the heart of “Burning” is Smith’s personal struggle dealing with a breakup, as he explains the song is “about self-destruction”:
I was going through a really tough time last year. I live in London, and I went through a breakup. And I dealt with the breakup in a bad way, and I was just going out way too much. I let everything go in that song. And that song to me is about fame as well and the responsibilities I felt and the pressure and my relationship with my voice and how I was a bit rebellious last year. It’s about self-destruction, that song.
Smith took to Twitter to further explain the emotions behind “Burning,” noting:
“You reached a limit. I wasn't enough. It's like the fire, replaced all the love —BURNING.”
“I can't explain how healing it is to have 'Burning' out in the universe. That song came from a place of so much confusion and heart ache.”
He further explained in a series of tweets:
“... at the time when I was writing it, I didn't like myself. I didn't respect myself. I still struggle everyday with just being myself.”
"... but to be able to use music as therapy, and to put my heart into songs like burning, and then to give those words to you."
“... well, that is the f*ck*ng coolest & most overwhelming feeling in the world. Thank you for all listening to me bloody Moan about my heart.”
He added, "I love you all. Thank you for being here xx."
Whew. That really hits you in all the feels, doesn't it?
The Thrill Of It All will be released on Nov. 3. Guess I better stock up on tissues before then.
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