Burn Out (feat. Dewain Whitmore)

Burn Out by Martin Garrix explores the themes of intense passion, living in the moment, and the fleeting nature of euphoric experiences. Unlike the colloquial definition of 'burnout' which implies exhaustion or stress, the song reclaims the phrase to describe a positive, albeit finite, explosion of energy. The central message suggests that it is better to expend all of one's energy and love in a brilliant, blinding display of affection than to conserve it and live moderately.

The lyrics operate on a dichotomy of light versus dark and existence versus extinction. The protagonist is aware that the 'light' (the relationship or the party) will eventually go out, but they choose to focus on the intensity of the shine in the present moment. This aligns with the classic carpe diem (seize the day) philosophy often found in Electronic Dance Music, which frequently focuses on the 'here and now' nature of the club experience.

Furthermore, the song touches on the concept of romantic urgency. The lyrics "until we burn out" imply a mutual agreement between two people to ride the wave of their attraction until it naturally dissipates or crashes. It speaks to the fear of missing out and the desire to maximize human connection before reality sets back in.

The song begins with an immediate admission of intense physical and emotional attraction, where the narrator describes a sensation akin to a medical emergency, metaphorically referring to the feeling as a 'heart attack.' This hyperbole sets the stage for a narrative centered on overwhelming passion that cannot be ignored. The protagonist is completely captivated by their partner, suggesting that there is no turning back from this moment of connection. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple isolated in their own world, where the surrounding environment fades away, leaving only the magnetic pull between them. The narrator expresses a desire to remain in this heightened state, questioning the need to ever come down from such a euphoric high.

As the narrative progresses into the pre-chorus and chorus, the focus shifts to the concept of time and intensity. The narrator urges their partner to embrace the moment fully, regardless of the consequences or the inevitable end. The central metaphor of 'burning out' is introduced not as a negative failure, but as a glorious expenditure of energy. They compare their shared experience to a light or a star that shines its brightest right before it is extinguished. The lyrics emphasize a refusal to go home or let the night end prematurely; instead, there is a commitment to consuming every ounce of passion and energy they possess until there is nothing left. It is a declaration of living entirely in the present tense.

In the subsequent verses, the song reinforces the idea of synchronicity and shared fate. The narrator speaks of getting 'lost' within the light of the relationship, finding a sense of direction and purpose solely through their connection with the other person. There is a recurring theme of acceleration and brightness, suggesting that their love is a fast-moving, luminous force. The storytelling encapsulates the reckless abandon of youth and the thrill of a connection that feels larger than life. By the conclusion, the message is clear: the goal is not longevity or safety, but rather the intensity of the flame, ensuring that when they finally do stop, they have used up every bit of their 'shine' together.

Burn Out was released on September 14, 2018, as a collaboration between Dutch DJ/producer Martin Garrix, fellow Dutch DJ Justin Mylo, and American singer-songwriter Dewain Whitmore. The track was released under Garrix's own label, STMPD RCRDS, and licensed to Sony Music.

The creation of the song was notably tied to a major brand partnership. Martin Garrix collaborated with AXE (known as Lynx in some regions) to launch their new platform, AXE Music. The release of the song coincided with a promotional campaign that included a limited-edition Martin Garrix body spray. This commercial context influenced the song's high production value and its broad, mainstream appeal.

The official music video, which premiered the same day as the single, is a quirky narrative set in a laundromat. It features a young man who enters a fantasy world to impress a girl, with Martin Garrix making a cameo appearance as a customer. The video plays with the idea of 'confidence,' aligning with the AXE brand message, while visually representing the song's energetic and fantastical musical drop.

The song employs a straightforward, pop-oriented rhyme scheme, generally following an AABB or ABAB pattern in the verses to ensure accessibility and catchiness. For example, rhyming "light" with "bright" or "night" creates a sense of sonic closure that is pleasing to the ear.

Rhythmically, the track is set in common time (4/4) with a tempo around 128 BPM, the standard for Progressive House and EDM. The rhythm is driving and propulsive. The vocal melody features syncopated phrasing in the verses—hitting on the off-beats—which creates a sense of groove and anticipation. In contrast, the chorus features longer, sustained notes on strong beats ("til we burn ooooout"), creating an anthem-like quality that encourages listeners to jump and move in unison.

Musical Techniques:

• Progressive House Drop: The song features Martin Garrix's signature euphoric production style. It builds tension using rising synth lines and snare rolls, culminating in a drop characterized by bright, sawing synth chords and a driving 4/4 kick drum. This 'lift and drop' technique mirrors the lyrical theme of rising intensity.
• Vocal Chops: In the drop, vocal samples are chopped and pitched to create a melodic hook that acts as an instrumental counterpoint to the main singing, adding a playful and rhythmic texture.
• Dynamic Range: The verses are relatively stripped back, allowing Dewain Whitmore's soulful vocals to take center stage, while the chorus introduces layers of harmony and electronic instrumentation to maximize impact.

Literary Techniques:

• Simile: The line "Shine just like a star" compares the couple's energy to a celestial body.
• Hyperbole: Phrases like "heart attack" exaggerate the physical response to love to convey intensity.
• Repetition: The phrase "burn out" is repeated rhythmically, reinforcing the central theme and creating a hypnotic hook that is easy for audiences to sing along to.

Burn Out solidified Martin Garrix's status as a crossover king between the EDM festival world and mainstream radio pop. Upon release, the song performed well globally, charting significantly in the Netherlands and on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

Its cultural footprint is largely tied to its integration with the AXE Music campaign. This partnership demonstrated the growing trend of high-profile collaborations between EDM artists and lifestyle brands, using music videos as vehicles for storytelling advertising. The song remains a staple in Martin Garrix's live sets at major festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, often used to create a moment of euphoric unity among the crowd. It serves as a prime example of the 2018-era Progressive House revival, blending radio-friendly vocals with club-ready production.

The song relies heavily on celestial and luminescent imagery to convey its emotional weight:

• Burning Out (The Star Metaphor): The title and chorus reference the lifecycle of a star. Stars shine brightest just before they die (supernova). The lyrics "shine just like a star" and "burn out" symbolize a relationship that is destined to end but is currently at its peak magnificence. It transforms the fear of ending into a celebration of the climax.
• Light: Light represents the energy of the relationship and the euphoria of the night. "Get lost in the light" suggests surrendering control to the emotion.
• Heart Attack: Used in the opening verse ("gave me a heart attack"), this hyperbole symbolizes the physical shock of sudden attraction, emphasizing that the connection is visceral and dangerous, not just emotional.
• Home: The refusal to "go home" is a metaphor for rejecting reality, normalcy, and the mundane world in favor of the heightened reality created by the music and the romance.

The primary motif is the phrase "Burn out." It serves as the lyrical anchor of the track. It is used in two distinct ways:

• Lyrically: It appears at the end of the chorus lines as a resolution to the build-up.
• Melodically: The drop melody mimics the intonation of the lyrics, creating a musical motif that resonates even when the words aren't being sung.

Another recurring element is the concept of "Shine" and "Light." These words are sprinkled throughout the verses and chorus to maintain the visual theme of brightness amidst darkness, reinforcing the optimistic nihilism of the song.