Burn (Usher Song) - Composition and Theme

Composition and Theme

"Burn" is a slow jam, combining R&B and ballad genres. The song is performed with a moderate groove. It is composed in the key of B minor. The melody line of the song has influences from "Ignition (Remix)" by R. Kelly and "How to Deal" by Frankie J. "Burn" has a combination of robotic noises, synthesized strings and guitar lines.

The lyrics are constructed in the traditional verse-chorus form. The song starts a spoken intro, giving way to the first verse. It continues to the chorus, following the second verse and chorus. The bridge follows, leading to a break and finalizing in the chorus. "Burn" was considered a "window to Usher's inner thoughts", along with the controversial track "Confessions" and "Confessions Part II". The song is about breakups and ending relationships. According to Matt Cibula of Popmatters, "Burn" is constructed from "two-step concept". In the lyrics "You know that it's over / You know that it was through / Let it burn / Got to let it burn", Usher breaks up with his woman but found her sad about feeling bad about what happened to their relationship. However, Usher says that she must deal with it before she can accept the truth. For the lines "It's been fifty-eleven days / Umpteen hours / I'm gonna be burnin' / Till you return", the direction changes after Usher realized that breaking up with her was a huge mistake and that he wanted her back to him.