Album: The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This fast-paced, hard-driving track finds 5FDP frontman Ivan Moody unleashing his fury. The vocalist recalled: "When I started writing the lyrics I was so fed up. We were about halfway through the album and we had whole bunches of stuff still to do and the stress level just got me and this was just one of those lashings where you rip open your chest and let the monster come out."
  • Five Finger Death Punch sometimes do a bit where they bring kids on stage to sing parts of their songs. In 2014 they tried it with "Burn MF," which not a kid-friendly selection, even by 5FDP standards.

    The band took some heat when a video was posted to YouTube showing 9-year-old Olivia Douglas encouraged to swear while Ivan Moody performs the song on stage. A Florida TV station picked up the story, and a number of sources were quoted as being disgusted by the clip, which shows Ivan Moody hugging the little girl while trying to make her chant "Burn motherf---er burn." Olivia appears to be uncomfortable and does not join in, looking towards her father for reassurance.
  • Five Finger Death Punch, who covered LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out," were probably at least aware that "burn mother---er, burn" is a famous chant in the world of hip-hop, originated in 1984 in "The Roof Is On Fire" by Rock Master Scott and The Dynamic Three.
  • The song first appeared on the band's 2013 album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1. In 2023 a new version was released featuring Rob Zombie.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?