The lead single from 2015’s Toto XIV was a hauntingly beautiful ballad. “Burn” was co-written by David Paich and Joseph Williams, and credited by Paich as being the first song written specifically for Toto’s new album.
Opening with a gentle piano motif, “Burn” presents itself simply and delicately, immediately setting an atmospheric stage and encouraging a contemplative state for the listener. The piano motif itself is quite beautiful and essentially serves as the foundation of the song, repeating throughout. Its origin as a musical device stems from Paich picking up on it at the tail end of a demo from Joseph Williams.
“That came from a song Joseph had written, a whole song,” Paich told Billboard in 2015, “and I said, ‘I really love that.’ And he said, ‘Oh, you like the song?’ I said, ‘No, [just] the very little ending.'”
As the introduction builds, this motif is underscored by Keith Carlock’s evocative tom work, before Williams takes the lead on vocals:
I can hear you cry
From behind the door of your troubled mind
You locked yourself inside
A lonely prison of your own design
It creates an arresting mental image – one of torment and anguish.
The second verse follows with this same pattern, before literally exploding in a bombast of power and proclamation.
I would burn it down for love
Watch the smoke roll out of my broken heart
Burn it down for love
There’s no force on earth can keep us apart
The production, co-credited to Toto and CJ Vanston, is big and the dynamics here are extreme. All at once, “Burn” jumps from whispering contemplation to assertive destruction. Forceful drums, crashing cymbals, chugging guitar, and luscious harmonies give the chorus the lift and immediate power that makes this such a compelling Toto track. Of particular note: Joseph Williams’ vocal is electric, full of passion and fire. This is a standout performance.
And then, suddenly it drops out:
Take my hand I’ll lead the way
Through the darkest parts of these castle halls
No more masquerade
We’ll fight ghosts and demons
And we’ll breach these walls
This narrative is rich in imagery and symbolism and shows how far Williams and Paich have come as lyricists.
A middle eight and double chorus follows, before petering out with that haunting piano motif once again.
“Burn” is an epic Toto ballad, and it serves to remind you how accomplished the band is – not only as musicians, but as songwriters and producers. One hopes for more.
- Toto, “Spanish Sea” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - June 15, 2021
- Toto, “Devil’s Tower” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - May 11, 2021
- Toto, “Alone” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - April 27, 2021
