Bury It

"Bury It" is a powerful anthem about reclaiming agency and moving forward from a toxic situation, likely a relationship or a professional dynamic where the other party is deceptive or manipulative. The core theme is resilience—the ability to acknowledge a negative force and consciously choose to leave it behind.

The lyrics describe a dynamic where one person is "ruthless" and hiding their true nature ("Cover up, cover up..."). The narrator, however, is no longer fooled. The phrase "seeing red" indicates justifiable anger, but instead of letting that anger consume them, they channel it into a constructive act of separation. The line "How about I prove I'm right and raise it overhead?" suggests a moment of vindication, where the truth is exposed, effectively disarming the manipulator.

The central metaphor of the chorus—"Bury it and rise above"—serves as a dual action. "Burying" implies a finality, a funeral for the drama or the relationship itself, putting it into the ground so it can no longer cause harm. "Rising above" suggests spiritual or emotional elevation, occupying a higher moral ground where the toxicity cannot reach. It is a refusal to get dragged down into the mud, choosing instead to ascend.

The song opens with a confrontation, addressing someone who is trying to hide their ruthless nature. The narrator observes this deception, noting that while others might not see it yet, the truth is becoming undeniable. There is a sense of acceleration as the narrator describes catching up to this person, fueled by anger and a desire to expose the reality ('seeing red'). The imagery suggests a physical challenge, with the narrator ready to prove they are right and display the truth for all to see, metaphorically raising it overhead like a trophy or a weapon.

The pre-chorus establishes a boundary, with the narrator asserting that they never made impossible promises. This leads into the explosive chorus, which serves as a mantra for survival and transcendence. The repeated command to 'bury it and rise above' signifies a conscious decision to discard the negativity and move forward. The narrator acknowledges that they and the subject tried to deal with 'it' (the conflict, the toxicity, or the relationship) and move past it, but the other person never truly changed their perspective.

As the song progresses, the determination intensifies. The narrator reaches for their 'resistance,' refusing to be passive. They note that the conflict is invisible to outsiders ('nobody sees it at a distance'), making the internal struggle even more isolating yet personal. The cycle of burying the issue and rising above it repeats, becoming a rhythmic chant of empowerment. It is not just about forgetting; it is about actively suppressing the negative influence to reclaim one's own height and power. The song concludes with the relentless repetition of this vow, cementing the narrator's victory over the situation.

"Bury It" was originally written and produced by the Scottish trio CHVRCHES (Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty) for their second studio album, Every Open Eye, released in September 2015. The album was recorded in their own studio in Glasgow, allowing them total creative control.

The song gained a significant second life in 2016 through a collaboration with Hayley Williams, the lead singer of Paramore. The partnership felt organic rather than forced; Williams had joined the band on stage to perform the song live in Nashville in October 2015 and again on Paramore's "Parahoy!" cruise in March 2016. The chemistry was so palpable that the band decided to record a studio version with her.

Lauren Mayberry noted that Williams' voice added a new dimension to the track, stating that she admired Hayley as a vocalist and lyricist. The remix was released as the final single from the album in June 2016. This version is often the most recognized, celebrated for the vocal interplay between Mayberry's clear, piercing tone and Williams' powerful, emotive delivery.

The song is written in a standard 4/4 time signature with a tempo of approximately 100 BPM, giving it a steady, marching quality that feels like a determined walk. The rhythm is driving and insistent, propelling the listener forward, matching the theme of progress.

Rhyme Scheme: The lyrics utilize a mix of perfect and slant rhymes. For example, the verses use an AABB or ABAB feel depending on the section:

• ruthless / notice (Slant rhyme)
• red / overhead (Perfect rhyme)

The chorus relies heavily on the repetition of the title phrase rather than complex rhyming, which serves to make the message simple, chantable, and anthemic. The rhythmic phrasing of the vocals is syncopated against the straight 4/4 beat, adding a sense of urgency and "catching up" mentioned in the lyrics.

Musical Techniques:

• Synth Layering: The track is built on a foundation of driving, arpeggiated synthesizers that create a sense of forward motion. The bright, major-key synth riffs contrast with the somewhat aggressive lyrics, a signature CHVRCHES technique (sad/angry lyrics, happy music).
• Vocal Stacking: Especially in the remix, the interplay between Mayberry and Williams creates a texture of solidarity. Their voices weave together in the chorus, reinforcing the idea of a collective anthem rather than a solitary struggle.
• Dynamic Build: The song utilizes a "drop" technique common in EDM, where tension builds in the pre-chorus and releases in the chorus with a heavier beat and fuller synth arrangement.

Literary Techniques:

• Repetition (Epistrophe): The phrase "Bury it and rise above" is repeated incessantly. This repetition mimics a mantra or an incantation, as if the speaker is hypnotizing themselves into strength.
• Rhetorical Questions: "How about I prove I'm right and raise it overhead?" is a challenge posed to the antagonist, asserting confidence without waiting for an answer.

"Bury It" is a staple in the indie-pop and synth-pop canon of the mid-2010s. Its cultural footprint was significantly deepened by the Hayley Williams remix, which bridged the gap between the indie electronic world of CHVRCHES and the pop-punk fanbase of Paramore, introducing the band to a wider American audience.

The music video, created by acclaimed comic book artist Jamie McKelvie (known for The Wicked + The Divine) and animated by Mighty Nice, was culturally significant for its crossover into geek culture. It depicted the artists with superpowers in an art style reminiscent of modern comics and anime, resonating strongly with the band's demographic.

The song has been used in various media, including the soundtrack for the video game Forza Horizon 3, cementing its status as a high-energy driving anthem.

The song relies on physical and spatial metaphors to convey emotional states:

• Burying: This acts as a metaphor for repression or closure. It isn't just ignoring a problem; it's an active, almost violent act of putting something dead (the relationship/conflict) into the earth so it cannot return. It represents the finality of the decision to move on.
• Rising Above: Contrasted with "burying," this creates a vertical image. While the negativity goes down (into the ground), the narrator goes up. This symbolizes transcendence, maturity, and escaping the gravity of a toxic situation.
• Seeing Red: A classic idiom for anger, but here it serves as a fuel source. It represents the moment of clarity where patience runs out and action begins.
• Throwing My Weight: This suggests a shift in power dynamics. The narrator is no longer passive but is using their own influence and strength ("weight") to assert dominance over the situation.
• Telekinesis (Music Video): In the animated video, the band and Hayley Williams use telekinetic powers to move objects. This symbolizes the mental strength required to manipulate one's environment and clear obstacles without physically engaging with them—a perfect visual for the lyrical theme of "rising above."

"Bury it and rise above" is the central motif. Its constant repetition transforms it from a mere lyric into a command. It is the rhythmic anchor of the song.

The phrase "You never promised me..." is another recurring element. It highlights the disconnect between expectation and reality. By repeating what was not promised, the narrator validates their own disappointment—clarifying that the failure of the relationship wasn't due to a broken promise, but a fundamental difference in vision ("seeing differently").

Musically, the ascending synth riff in the chorus mirrors the lyrical theme of "rising," physically lifting the energy of the track every time the hook drops.