Burn in My Light is a song performed by the band Mercy Drive and composed by Jim Johnston in 2004. It is also the entrance theme of World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Randy Orton.

History

Burn in My Light was first written as a theme song for Randy Orton, following the storyline of Orton getting kicked out of Evolution. Several weeks before the theme debuted, another song called "Away" was used in a video package depicting the success of his early career, to winning the World Heavyweight Championship. While some expected "Away" to be Orton's new theme, it was never used again. Instead, Johnston hired Mercy Drive to produce a song that would reflect Randy Orton and his values, and would instantly make him a fan favorite and draw cheers from the crowd.

Burn in My Light would prove to be one of Mercy Drive's most popular songs because it became an instant hit with many WWE fans. It was labelled as one of the most sought after songs on the internet, to the point where people would make clear edits of the theme using clips of live tapings.

At the time, Mercy Drive were intending to use the song in their upcoming debut album, yet were denied to do so by WWE. This led to a court case, which WWE won after reviewing the WWE contract. The contract stated that WWE retains the rights to all property used. Mercy Drive, released their album without the popular track on the album in which WWE fans and fans of Mercy Drive expressed displeasure.

A WWE edited version of the song, almost reaching the 4:00 mark, got leaked on the internet in December 2005 by 2 people who claim they have over 50 unreleased WWE produced themes. While it was the first time the track was heard in its almost full length (the WWE edit has a verse missing), the track wasn't quite CD quality.

On May 3, 2006 a clip from an alternate studio version of the song was posted on the website of the band's drummer Corey Lane. This version is believed to be a second version of the song as some lyrics are different. Mercy Drive is rumored to be releasing this version on their website in the near future.

The song was finally released on the WWE Wreckless Intent CD.

The full version that appears on that album is the complete and unedited form of the song. The version that Orton uses/used is edited and cut up from this full version.

On November 20th, 2006, WWE mixed this song with "Metalingus" by Alter Bridge as the new theme song of Rated RKO (Edge and Randy Orton).

Interpretation

Despite being a wrestling theme that is somewhat based on Randy Orton, the song could have several meanings. A general theme is the overcoming of difficulties, and the satisfaction of accomplishment.
The line "Burn in My Light" suggests that those who doubted the subject will feel the discomfort of recognizing their success.

The other possible meaning is the "Randy Orton meaning". The song is supposed to reflect the image of Randy Orton and how he was suddenly more popular than the rest of his Evolution stablemates. Considering the fact that Randy Orton is the youngest WWE World Heavyweight Champion in WWE History, it is an accomplishment in itself-and the fact that Triple H failed to defeat Chris Benoit, yet Randy Orton managed to do so.

Trivia

This song made its WWE debut on August 30, 2004, two weeks after Randy Orton won the World Heavyweight Championship.

Despite being a well popular entrance theme in which draws cheers or boos from the fans (depending on Orton's status as a heel or face), Orton has stated on a UK Radio Show Interview with 1Xtra's Ace and Invisible that he dislikes the song, claiming that the lyrics sounded like they were written by kindergardeners. He did, however, express his appreciation for Mercy Drive for allowing him to use the song.

Orton's dislike for the song eventually led him using a song from Killswitch Engage titled "This Fire Burns". However, within a week of using the theme, he reverted back to his old theme, after claims from the fans that his new theme was unrecogniseable and that it didn't suit Orton at all. "This Fire Burns" has since been used as a theme song for CM Punk.

Orton has used two separate (WWE) edits of the song. The first (used on its debut) contains the opening verse ("The nebula rising..."), while the second edit (the version he currently uses) completely omits the opening verse. Both versions contain extra lyrics of "Hey!", "Say!" and "Shine!" echoed after the same words are sung in the song.

The song was originally slated for release on WWE ThemeAddict: The Music, Vol. 6 (as shown on an insert from the WWE No Mercy 2004 DVD), but was eventually scrapped from the final track list.

External links

WWE.com (Official Website of WWE)

Randy Orton WWE.com Index

MercyDrive1.com (Official Website of Mercy Drive)

Blog/Forums Based On The Meaning Of The Song