Meaning of "Burn It All Down" by Jordan Smith

The lyrics of "Burn It All Down" capture the intense struggle of feeling trapped by one's own circumstances and the burdens imposed by society. The repeated refrain of burning it all down reflects a desire for cathartic release and a fresh start, free from the expectations and pressures that the narrator feels are holding them back. The references to the "cross on my back" and the "weight 'round my neck" suggest a heavy burden of guilt or responsibility that the narrator is carrying. The metaphor of the burning house symbolizes a need to dismantle the structures of their life that are no longer serving them. The repeated lines about dancing on the tracks and being sent back to black evoke a sense of being caught in a cycle of self-destruction and self-sabotage. The final lines, "Life is movin' right in front of me but always out of reach / And I just keep on giving 'til there's nothing left of me," speak to the exhaustion and despair of feeling like one's efforts are in vain. Overall, the lyrics convey a poignant plea for liberation and a yearning for a fresh start.