Back Burner by August Burns Red Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Fervor of Materialism and Apathy in Modern Times
Lyrics
Convictions to the back burner
Remembering what’s really important isn’t so important after all
Gather all your possessions, and smile because you’ve got it all
Gather all your possessions, and smile because you’ve got it all
Smile because you’ve got it all
Smile because you’ve got it all
Still that empty feeling won’t go away (Go away)
Still that empty feeling won’t go away (Go away)
Your puzzle’s missing one very essential piece
And I know you’ll keep looking in all the wrong places until it’s too late
Too late
Slip on the ice again
When did you become so cold?
Living for the here and now never made so much sense
Slip on the ice again
When did you become so cold?
You think you’ve got all the time in the world, but this could all be ending now
How far down will you go before it’s too late?
Slipping on the ice again, you’ve become so cold
Lucky for you rock bottom is in sight
Lucky for you rock bottom is in sight
Your wake up call is set for now
And the trail you have followed has come all the way to the end
I hope you survive, survive the crash
A sonic tempest with an unexpectedly profound narrative, ‘Back Burner’ by August Burns Red is not merely a composition of intricate metalcore instrumentation but a complex entreaty to the soul. At its core, the song delves into the perils of misplaced priorities and the inherent emptiness of materialistic pursuits.
The thematic landscape of the track is an uncharted territory in the realm of heavy music. It touches upon the philosophical poison that gnaws at an individual’s essence when they let go of their convictions for fleeting pleasures. It’s a blistering critique rendered in fiery riffs and pounding percussion.
A Rallying Cry Against Complacency
The repeated line ‘Convictions to the back burner’ operates on diverse levels, embodying a battle cry against the seduction of apathy. A plea to the listener that insists on the importance of principles over possessions, the cry grows more desperate as it echoes through the verses and choruses.
In a society that lauds the amassing of wealth and accolades as the ultimate metric of success, August Burns Red flips the script. They argue with steely guitar licks that what we often deem ‘important’ may be just a distraction from true purpose and fulfillment.
The Echo of Emptiness in Wealth
‘Gather all your possessions, and smile because you’ve got it all,’ sings lead vocalist Jake Luhrs, his voice dripping with a caustic, sarcastic tone. It is a narrative device that exposes the hollowness of attaching self-worth to material holdings.
This line is a clever play on the false sense of security wealth can bring. It’s a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes, a happiness that’s superficial – the type that can excel in family portraits but wilts in solitude. Their intensity reflects the moans of a generation that is beginning to see through the cracks of materialism.
The Hidden Meaning: Chasing the Missing Piece
The song’s bridge strikes at the heart of the human condition – the perpetual search for a ‘missing piece’ to our existential puzzles. With an avalanche of instrumentation serving as a backdrop, August Burns Red contemplates the futility of this quest when we look in ‘all the wrong places.’
It brings to light the irony of our predicaments, suggesting that as we hunger for wholeness in the external – through accolades, through others’ perceptions – we lose touch with the internal compass that could truly guide us to fulfillment.
Memorable Lines: A Cry for Survival
One cannot discuss ‘Back Burner’ without touching upon the foreboding line, ‘I hope you survive, survive the crash.’ It’s an almost prophetic warning, an acknowledgment of the cataclysmic personal upheaval that comes when one’s established norms and values crumble.
This line is a sharp exhale, a moment of silence in a cacophony of sound that hopes for redemption amidst self-inflicted chaos. It’s the artistic encapsulation of the moment one hits rock bottom, and the hope that this nadir is not an end but a catalyst for change.
The Metaphorical Ice and Time’s Deceit
‘Slip on the ice again’ is a metaphor that runs like a chilling draught through the lyrics. The ice represents the perilous path one treads when prioritizing the ‘here and now’ over long-term significance.
Furthermore, the illusion of infinite time is shattered with the sharp realization ‘this could all be ending now.’ This line hurls us into the immediacy of time’s limited bounty and serves as a stark reminder to reassess where we find warmth and purpose, lest we ‘become so cold.’
