This song was written by singer Bonnie Newman about drummer/boyfriend James Ferrell. Broken Self was put on hold for a few months while James went on tour with a band called Phoenix Mourning. When the tour was over, James quit and returned to Broken Self. Phoenix was the first Broken Self song written when he returned. Lyrically, it's about Bonnie's feelings on dealing with being away from James. Musically, it marks a departure from their previous pop-punk sound to a heavier, more balls out sound.