Songs About Fire: The Burning Top 10

Many songs have been written to describe intense emotions of love and passion. One word frequently used to illustrate this point is "fire." Even though many of the songs are not literally about the word fire it definitely gets our attention. Fire can cause serious damage or make us warm during the winter. These top ten songs about fire represent different eras, genres and interpretations of this element. There is one song that put a new twist on a classic. Sit back and get ready for some scorching music.

10.) We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel

When I first heard this song I was intrigued by the list of so many historical events, pop culture references and moments in sports over a forty year period. The song opens with Harry Truman who was President when Billy Joel was born. It starts off in 1949 and ends in 1989 the year the song was released. For the younger generation that did not live through the Cold War (US and Russia) this may not resonate with them. In a weird way the song is like a history lesson. Over the years it has been panned by a number of critics, because it has no melody. Whatever you want to call "We Didn't Start the Fire" it's definitely unique. The title refers to the Baby Boomer generation inheriting problems from its predecessor.

9.) Fire and Rain - James Taylor

Here is a prime example of the word "fire" and "rain" describing polarities James Taylor was experiencing when he wrote the song in 1968 at the age of 20. At the time he lost a friend who committed suicide. Then he dealt with drug addiction, depression and his 5-month stint in rehab. "Fire and Rain" is a mellow ballad with clear vocalization and excellent lyrics that was released in 1970. This was Taylor's first Top 3 hit.

8.) Fire - The Ohio Players

Now we come to a funky song by the 1970s R&B/Funk group, The Ohio Players. In the beginning of it you hear the actual sirens of a fire engine truck. It's also heard in parts throughout the song "Fire", appropriately enough. This group likes using real sound effects in some of their very popular songs. They also had another hit that is in the annals of urban legend with a certain sound effect used. "Fire" reached #1 on both the R&B and pop charts in 1974.

7.) Jump Into the Fire - Harry Nilsson

If you've seen the film "Goodfellas" this song was prominently used in the soundtrack. It features a heavy bass line in the opening that uses one chord and drum solo in its extended version. This is one of the Top 40 tracks off of Harry Nilsson's most successful album of his career, "Nilsson Schmilsson" released in 1971.

6.) Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Not to be confused with the movie of the same name starring Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis and Winona Ryder as his teen bride. One of the biggest hits for Jerry Lee Lewis that charted in the Top 5 not only on the pop chart, but the R&B and Country charts too in 1957. This song features a lot of sexual innuendos much like his earlier hit. It was released in England at the same time Lewis married his 13-year old cousin. However, he can sure kill it on the piano when he bangs on those keys. They don't call him "The Killer" for nothing.

5.) Streets of Fire - Bruce Springsteen

Once again another song that's not to be confused with the same movie title from the 1980s. Coincidentally, Springsteen was asked permission to use his song for that movie, but he refused. There are a lot of Springsteen's musical influences in the film's soundtrack. His "Streets of Fire" is a track from his stellar album "Darkness on the Edge of Town." This album was released after his enormous success with "Born to Run" in 1975.

Afterwards, there was a three-year legal battle with Springsteen's manager. Even though he did not record in three years after his first big hit this 1978 album was not successful with the singles released. However, the "Darkness on the Edge of Town" success overall was its ability to stay on the album chart for 97 weeks. "Streets of Fire" is one of the songs reflecting those frustrations and turmoil with his music career at the time. It is a song he performs in concert. The black & white video is where he performed it live in 1978. Springsteen is incredible to watch from beginning to end in it. Here is a current version of this song.

4.) St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) - John Parr

David Foster, a Canadian songwriter, initially wrote this song for a Canadian athlete name Rick Hansen. He was paralyzed from the waist down, but began his "Man In Motion" wheelchair tour all over the world to raise money for spinal cord research. Hansen later became a Canadian hero with Foster paying tribute to him in this song. In 1985 it was later used in the Brat Pack movie of the same name.

Two versions of "St. Elmo's Fire" were released and played extensively on the radio, even today. One is the version with vocals by John Parr who is a British singer/songwriter. He later dropped out of the music scene completely. The second version is the instrumental love theme. St. Elmo's Fire is an actual nautical term referring to a spectral light around a ship's mast. In the film it's the name of a bar the characters in the film hang out at.

3.) Fire - The Pointer Sisters

During the time Bruce Springsteen was embroiled in a legal battle from recording music in 1975 to 1978 he was busy writing songs. One song in particular was "Fire" about a couple lusting for one another. Springsteen wrote it for his idol, Elvis Presley as he felt the song was a good fit for him musically. He sent Elvis a demo in 1977 shortly before Elvis' death. Initially in 1978 the song was later recorded by a friend of Springsteen's. Later that year the Pointer Sisters recorded "Fire" where it reached #2 on the chart. The Pointer Sisters have extraordinary harmonies in this version. "Fire" was recently featured in the hit TV series "Glee."

2.) Ring of Fire - Adam Lambert (Johnny Cash)

On season 8 of "American Idol" for Grand Ole Opry Week Theme show during their finals one of the contestants took on this Johnny Cash classic. The song was co-written by Cash's wife, June Carter. Her sister Anita Carter first recorded it. Johnny Cash's recording of "Ring of Fire" was the biggest hit of his career. It was a Top 40 hit on the pop chart and stayed at #1 on the country singles chart for seven weeks.

Adam Lambert's version he did on "American Idol" features a Middle Eastern influence. Randy Travis, the country music artist who was the mentor, was perplexed by this version. Some of the judges couldn't figure it out. This was one of my favorite performances overall I've ever seen on this show. Lambert later recorded a tamer studio version of "Ring of Fire." For the purists here is the version that started it all from Johnny Cash.

1.) Light My Fire - The Doors

From their debut album in 1967 this signature song by The Doors catapulted them from LA's underground music scene to iconic pop status that still holds true today. Oliver Stone's film "The Doors" is about the band's rise and fall due to the death of their frontman, Jim Morrison. Co-written by band members Robby Krieger and Morrison it was Krieger who wanted to write a song about one of the elements: fire, water, earth and air. The keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, came up with the "Light My Fire" organ intro. Later on they sold the song rights to Jose Feliciano who had a Latin cover version hit in 1968. When the song was released for The Doors it instantly reached the top of the charts.

You just might be hot and sweaty after listening to all of these songs about fire. They ranged from a streams of consciousness list of world events to bouts of drug addiction and depression to a raucous, screaming roll and rock anthem to sexual innuendos to frustration with legal battles to paying tribute to an athlete to a lustful couple and finally to one of the four elements featuring fire, water, earth and air. You can download these fiery songs at Amazon or iTunes. If you need something to keep you warm at night these songs should do the trick.

SOURCES:

Jen-Jen, "What songs with the word "fire" in their titles do you know?", Answerbag

Broadcast Yourself, YouTube

Song Meanings at Songfacts, Songfacts

The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia