Dodie Clark - Burned Out Lyrics






He was certain
So was I
There was comfort
In her sighs
Dreams and ideas should not be the same thing
You waited, smiling for this?

Oh, she'd want it
If she knew
She could take it
I thought too
Be careful, be cautious but you just wished harder
You waited, smiling for this?

"But they love you!"
Over and over, "they love you!"
Thousands and thousands of eyes just like mine
Aching to find who they are
"Oh, they love you!"
Oh, you can feel how they love you!
Coated and warm but that's all they can do
Words only get through if they're sharp

Oh, how fitting
For one so fake
Make me a fairy
Whatever it takes
And just like a tale my dream was a scam
You waited, smiling for this?

I am burnt out
I smell of smoke
It seeps through her cracks and so I start to choke
Sentences sit in her mouth that are templated
You waited, smiling for this?

"But they love you!"
Over and over, "they love you!"
Thousands and thousands of eyes just like mine
Aching to find who they are
"Oh, they love you!"
Oh, you can feel how they love you!
Coated and warm but that's all they can do
Words only get through if they're sharp

Oh, maybe I'll talk about it (maybe I'll talk about it)
I can just talk about it (I can just talk about it)
I'll never talk about it (I'll never talk about it)
No, I cannot talk about it

Don't build hope on something broken
I am not cartoon
Cry for help
I am not joking
I might just leave soon
Don't build hope on something broken
I am not cartoon
Cry for help
I am not joking
I might just leave soon





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Dodie Clark Burned Out Comments
  1. L.... C....

    You're absolutely amazing! I'm listening to every single song on here one after one now that I've discovered you for myself. You remind me of Regina Spectre (my favorite)!!

  2. B.... B....

    Boxing day/christmas day vibes 🤪🤪

  3. G.... B....

    It is the first time I have ever cried upon listening to a song for the first time. Incredible how you switch from minor to major key and reveal the contrast and contradictions of your own feelings. Truly amazing. x

  4. T.... B....

    ‘Make me a fairy, what ever it takes’ you already are magic

  5. p.... o....

    you don't even know how good you are. i love your music.

  6. G.... ....

    *sharp words* Now these words are sharp, I've got your attention. We love you no matter what! <3

  7. J.... J....

    "Cry for help ...i
    Am not joking
    I might just leave soon"
    ...why do these lyrics scare me?

  8. C.... W....

    Maybe I'm getting old or going gay but nevertheless this is really fucking heartbreakingly beautiful and deserves greater exposure. Radio1 has a new music channel and I can only advise you to submit this for their assessment. It's rare for me to listen to a piece of music 3 or 4 times over. Maybe Grimes or H.E.R. Love it X

  9. E.... ....

    Listening to this while just found out I'm burned out from stress. I feel like a faliure. Will I ever be the same again?
    This song is comforting though. Thank you Dodie!

  10. k.... ....

    4th December 2019, and i still am utterly in love with this song.

  11. A.... M....

    Why am I crying

  12. S.... C....

    That part at the end where she looks into the camera, like she’d forgotten it was there. That speaks volumes....

  13. r.... m....

    the chord progressions and dissonance make me so emotional... add the lyrics on top of it and im a crying mess lmao

  14. C.... B....

    'Human' touches me. Made me feel sad for US, ya know? But maybe I was just sad for me listening to words I don't truly understand. But for a solid moment I felt like you understood the things that keep me separate from everybody else; keep this bull out of the china shop. *Heat Emoji*

  15. s.... ....

    I needed this today. And yesterday. And tomorrow.

  16. M.... A....

    No words for this song. Woow. Every single line make me think a lot.
    Greetings from Venezuela.

  17. A.... ....

    I don't idolize u I just feel like your art is very relatable.

  18. n.... e....

    there was comfort in her sighs.

  19. D.... R....

    OK. Basically, this probably gets to everyone in some way, and I'm crying.
    Good day

  20. o.... k....

    haven’t listened to this song in forever and i’m happy im back

  21. k.... w....

    I love how you write your lyrics. You are a wordsmith of great skill. I can feel that you believe these words, too. I was in just such a place a year ago, and it is so difficult to come out of. Songs like this helped me to get out of that dark place, so thank you for reaching out with this music. It just feels so alone, but like another song says, You Are Not Alone.

  22. u.... ....

    She is bi-polar and needs to be on medication....................WTF

  23. Y.... ....

    my favorite lines:
    "dreams and ideals cannot be the same thing"
    "Words only get through if they're sharp"
    "I am burnt out
    I smell of smoke
    it seeps through her cracks and so I start to choke"

  24. A.... P....

    Much love, Dodie

  25. I.... K....

    its like dodie took my head, flattened it, and turned it into a beautiful song that felt like the inside of my head. so incredible

  26. I.... K....

    This song feels like my brain

  27. W.... W....

    Dodie your music is so beautiful and amazing❤️

  28. s.... ....

    This song makes me weep everytime

  29. S.... ....

    WOW the Major chorus is incredibly powerful. This song would be great with a minor chorus as well but it ads SO much to the song. Well done!

  30. H.... S....

    You're good enough. You're so much more than good enough and have helped me through more than you'll ever be able to imagine and with the most sincerity I can possibly muster up I thank you. Your cries are always heard and valid and understood.

  31. I.... L....

    Listened to this everyday while walking home from school. I love this song. It sounds like what my brain feels like.

  32. C.... D....

    When you hear this song and you just want to give Dodie a big hug to tell her it's gonna be ok

  33. g.... ....

    Would love this song on spotify, or is it already on spotify?

    g.... ....

    gayjovve on spotify!

  34. a.... g....

    Hey folks! I just posted a cover of this on my account. it's my first video and id appreciate it if you could check it out💕

  35. M.... V....

    I haven’t felt this much connection to a song in so long 💗

  36. o.... d....

    The verses sound so distressed, and i can feel the "burned out" feeling. But then the chorus hits you and they're the most comforting words :)

    Thank you for this dodie !
    Cus we love you <3

  37. N.... E....

    Came to this from a radio request and I- 😍😭💖

  38. y.... r....

    masterfuckingpiece

  39. G.... G....

    0:57 Gets me every single time. Always gives me chills, and it gets stuck in my head all the time. Not a bad thing, to be honest.

  40. M.... C....

    You waited, smiling for this?...

  41. I.... 5....

    This song is what made me realise that what happened wasn’t okay. Thank you so much

  42. J.... T....

    this is amazing.

  43. T.... S....

    Yes, Dodie, they do love you. What they see is a kind, generous, tender, beautiful, wildly talented young woman of the finest character. They love it. We love it. I love it. Keep blessing us with it.

  44. A.... B....

    This gives me Regina Spektor vibes. Love it <3

  45. a.... i....

    Good job dodie :)

  46. C.... B....

    "cry for help I am not joking" .. Dodie? Are you ok? I'm genuinely worried, I was listening to this song recently, and it kind of sounds like a final goodbye. I hope you're ok. <3

  47. R.... ....

    It's how depression works. Sometimes you feel like you're ugly or not loved enough and that your friends or family members just pretend to love you. But in the other hand we have a good mood that tells you that you can make your dreams come true, that you loved, take cared of.
    Your mood just falls and you think you're not worth.
    Maybe Dodie has something different, but I think that that is the meaning of the song.

  48. A.... M....

    … He was certain
    So was I
    There was comfort in her sighs
    Dreams and ideas should not be the same thing
    You waited smiling for this
    Oh, she'd wanted if she knew
    She could take it
    I thought too
    Be careful, be cautious but you just wished harder
    You waited smiling for this

    … But they love you
    Over and over
    They love you
    Thousands and thousands of eyes
    Just like mine
    Aching to find who they are
    Oh, they love you
    Oh, You can feel how they love you
    Coated and warm
    But that's all they can do
    Words only get through if they're sharp

  49. c.... ....

    This song never ever ever ever fails to resonate with me.
    The verses sound like cold, grey pavement and the choruses sound like honey and rain clouds

  50. J.... G....

    Your voice is so clear and it makes me feel safe.

  51. J.... N....

    You've done it again

  52. N.... A....

    0.75x speed

  53. a.... ....

    "you waited smiling for this..?







    "But they love you."


    That hit really hard. I'm known as being the bright enthusiastic wholesome encouraging one of my friends, and I love that I can put smiles on their faces with my own, but the consequence is that after that they eventually forget you frown. I'm so tired of pretending to be bubbly, not letting one hint, one small whisper for help out that I'm dying here. But, like this song. I always remember. "But they love you. Oh, you can feel how they love you." and then I decide to keep my calls for help silent. It really hurts, so I decided recently to take a break from texting so I can refresh and not be on the verge of saying that I'm not okay. Yet I know that when i come back, I will still return to the facade that caused me to temporarily go.

  54. r.... ....

    omg these lyrics are pure genius. you're a pure genius. your voice and the melody is genius. your music is genius and beautiful

  55. Z.... K....

    But I love you,
    Over and over, I LOVE YOU
    Thousands and thousands of times I'm for you
    Watching how awesome you are.

  56. S.... ....

    Omggggg this brings back so many memories coz this was the first dodie song I ever listened to and now I love her so much! Also this song makes me cry every time ily~

  57. F.... G....

    Your words are sharp!

  58. C.... C....

    No DONT leave

  59. J.... ....

    I want an explanation video, I'm curious what was going through your head while writing this

  60. S.... ....

    The line "Oh they love you! Over and over they love you!" makes me think about how my family compliments my long wavy hair and only my hair. I've wanted to cut it all off for quite some time because I'm so self conscious about it. However, the reason I want to cut it all off is I'm so anxious all the time about how it looks and if people like how it looks because my family make it sound like my hair is my only redeeming quality. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I have no hair to make me anxious I can be at peace. Plus, this line (more like the entire song) inspires me to do what I think is best for me.

    Thank you dodie.

  61. J.... M....

    brilliant.


    I write original songs too! would love for you to check them out:)

  62. E.... B....

    Dodie.....

  63. r.... s....

    What is this song about :((

  64. D.... C....

    Your lyrics and melodies are amazing! love this x

  65. E.... d....

    This song could be Dodie asking her listeners, almost begging them, not to invest themselves too deeply in her. The first set of lyrics detail her emotional state during her rise to fame. She was certain - certain of her desire to become a song artist, to write poignant and impactful music to better the lives of those who listened. Someone - maybe someone in her life, or perhaps an apprehensive component of her own conscience (she's only referred to as "her" or "she") - warns her that perhaps this isn't all she wanted. That "Dreams and ideas are not the same thing" and that she should be "careful " and "cautious". But, of course, Dodie didn't listen. Whoever this reluctant compatriot of her's might be, "she could take it" and "she'd want it if she knew" - that is, she'd want all the baggage associated with becoming a musician. Perhaps the knowledge that she was positively influencing the lives of "thousands and thousands."

    But, alas, "she" was right. By the time Dodie finds herself in the position of her dreams, she sees herself as "fake." Her fans only know her by way of the music she creates, and so construct flawless, idealistic images of who she is and what she means to them. They "make her a fairy" - a mythical granter of wishes, not a person, who gifts them with beautiful music to nourish their beleaguered souls. She realizes just what she says - "her dream was a scam." Despite what she once thought, her fame wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and she's starting to see that it might not have been worth it. Undoubtedly, feeling responsible for the emotional sustenance of so many people must be absolutely overwhelming. She's "burnt out". Smoke is seeping through "her cracks" - in this case, "she" is the idealized image of Dodie built by her fans, the cracks suggesting wear. She's having difficulty keeping up the image.

    She wants to talk about it - to tell her fans that this idealized vision of her is fake, and unworthy of being venerated or admired. And yet she can't - it's already gone too far, and there's no turning back. "Thousands and thousands" listen to her, and there's no way she can convince them to abandon the notions of her which they've constructed. She'll "never talk about it."

    And so we arrive at her desperate final warning. "Don't build hope on something that's broken." Referring to herself, of course. In constructing this flawless notion of Dodie as someone who perfectly speaks to their feelings, her fans have invested a large part of their emotional well-being in her music. In her. But, as we've already discussed, she isn't that idyllic effigy. She's merely human, just as flawed and broken as the rest of us, and may not always be able to adequately supply the emotional nourishment these people need. Already she's suggesting that it's burned her out, and that all she has to offer are "templated" sentences which "sit in her mouth," to be recited but not felt. She isn't this "cartoon" - the totally fictitious fabrication constructed by her hopeful fans - and so she begs her listeners to "cry for help". To seek emotional fulfillment from those actually present in their lives. When she says "I might just leave soon," a number of possible meanings could be entertained. Of course, it could be taken literally - of course, she'll eventually stop writing music, and so won't always be around to provide for her fans. However, I'm more inclined to think that she means that, just as all artists do, she will evolve. Her style of music will invariably change, and may well fall out of emotional resonance with large portions of her followers. Her "leaving" is just her ceasing to make the kind of music some of her fans so powerfully identify with.

    And, finally, the chorus. Despite all this, all of these doubts and insecurities, she realizes that her fans love her. Thousands of broken, searching people, just like her, looking to discover themselves - in this case, through her music. The only part I can't clearly understand through this lens is the final line in the chorus - "words only get through if they're sharp". I suppose she could be referring to this very song - how her fans will understand her concerns only if she clearly and explicitly points them out, as I think she tries to do in this piece.

  66. S.... W....

    You may never see this and I guess that’s okay. But, I wanted to say I really love your song ‘burned out’. I just wish I knew the meaning behind it? I know why I like it, but I wanted to know the story behind it.

  67. r.... ....

    I just want someone that understands... Like not the basic 'i care about you' that's nice... But what am I supposed to do? Put my problems on you? The 'help' you got me didnt help and im just hurting so much

  68. L.... A....

    very beautiful and original song. You should do a video and better recording. It would be amazing and succesful.

  69. R.... G....

    Still such a wonderful song. Even if its sad I enjoy the sound of the song. Easily in my top 5 for sure of Dodie songs :)

  70. K.... ....

    Can someone make an hour loop of this song?

  71. l.... d....

    pleas just spend five yearsmaking a musical coz your such a good songwriter its just agh

  72. P.... A....

    "Words only get through if they're sharp." I feel this as an artist as well. (I write and draw and sing.)

  73. W.... A....

    😭😭😭🏸so good

  74. A.... I....

    Dodie writes the kind of music that makes me want to write more music. Most artists don't, but her music reminds me that music is where magic lives.

  75. L.... B....

    you should listen to @zozaleenie ‘s cover it’s absolutely breathtaking

  76. l.... m....

    I'll be honest. I've seen and read a lot about depressed people, and the people around me always portray depressed people as those you should give extra care to. As a kid, I didn't get much positive attention, and so, I understood that as "People will only care about you if you are mentally ill. So, BECOME mentally ill."
    I know. That's screwed up, and I know it too.
    I absolutely despise myself for feeling like that because I know that depressed people are going through so much more than I could even begin to imagine, and so whenever I am sad, I force myself to not be sad, telling myself, "No, stop that! Stop trying to 'become depressed'! Stop being an attention seeker!" and I constantly force myself to be happy and now whenever I feel something like anger or sadness, I'll tell myself that others are going through worse, and I'm over here, crying over this stupid little thing? And maybe it's gone out of hand, but I don't know and i never will know because I'll always be constantly afraid of concluding that it's unhealthy, and then think that I'm trying to look for attention, and then shut down the thought entirely. It doesn't help that I feel like a little ball of insecurity and anxiety, constantly seeking for validation.

    I love this song, and I sing it over and over again because it cuts deep. "Words only get through if they're sharp". "But they love you". "I'll never talk about it," lines, as though wanting to think something is true, but changing your mind. God, this song is amazing.

    l.... m....

    I’m not crying. My eyeball are just sweating. Get your exercise folks.

  77. M.... ....

    Last night I told my mom I that I want to be buried in a field of sunflowers 🌻

  78. T.... S....

    Beautiful inspirational talented overall truly honest and brilliant 💜✨

  79. A.... I....

    These lyrics are so beautiful and have so much depth. I love this.

  80. g.... g....

    My God the way her hair flows is so perfect

  81. d.... ....

    This made me tear up.

  82. J.... E....

    Didn’t understand these songs until I got popular on social media I am so honestly broken

  83. T.... R....

    The chorus is really nice :(

  84. C.... t....

    What’s this song about?

    C.... t....

    Its basically about how she doesnt think she deserves to be idolized by her supporters

  85. E.... A....

    How is Dodie so aesthetic and beautiful and her voice is so gorgeoussssss 😍😍😍 Literally in love and listening to every single one of her songs

  86. P.... G....

    This is the first dodie song that I found. It brought me to tears and I immediately fell in love. 💛💛💛

  87. J.... -....

    My eyes always water on the line: "Thousands and thousands of eyes just like mine, aching to find who they are."

    And I'm still lost trying to find who I am. It's just confusing sometimes when you ask yourself who you are, well to me. My mother says some things that she think is who I am from everything she observed about me, but it just doesn't feel like me. I'm just, lost.

  88. L.... B....

    I remember when this came out. I was a senior in high school and I sat outside in the rain during lunch. Most of my friends were either off in college or didn’t have the same lunch as me. Lots of people asked me if I was okay since I sat outside in the pouring rain and I felt worse cause of it. I listened to this during one of those days and sitting outside in the rain eating my lunch didn’t feel like a bad thing after that.

  89. B.... H....

    this song breaks my heart, but in such a beautiful way. i feel like it understands me...sorry this is weird.

  90. A.... M....

    You hear the raw emotion, I love it.

  91. Y.... B....

    I randomly stumbled upon a playlist of yours and was mindlessly listening to you while working.
    Then this song came on : You swept me away for real !! :o
    The music and the lyrics both are reminiscent of Tori Amos...
    Sorry to say I stopped the playlist and broke your replay button on this video !!

  92. c.... m....

    this has become my calming song whenever the episodes are back. thank you. ive been listening to this at least once a month since january last year. thank you so much for creating this<3

  93. S.... 1....

    I regret not finding you, an amazing and beautiful person, sooner.

  94. A.... Y....

    Dear Dodie.
    Do not look at me like that again. It gives me chills. Actually, no, scratch that. PLEASE DO.

  95. F.... G....

    Your words are sharp

  96. s.... n....

    the look she give in the beginning of the video broke my heart into a zillion peices
    dont worry
    youll be sunny again

  97. p.... B....

    did you really mean it when you said ''dreams and ideas should not be the same thing''?

  98. I.... R....

    All of her songs are so beautiful 😢

  99. A.... S....

    is the shadow from her cheeks really dark in this video or did she have bruises or smth on her cheek at the time