The Greatest Songs About Fire For A Bonfire

In songs, fire can represent a plethora of emotions. The most prominent being that of love and passion. Fire represents the burning desire within for other people. While it can be as innocent as romance and affection, most songwriters use fire as a symbol of lust and hunger.

The dangerous nature of fire plays well into the idea of anger and jealousy after a breakup. About how a person can literally add fuel to the fire. It symbolizes the hot rage a person can feel, and also the dying down to a small flame.

Historically in music, fire has also been a representation of social changes. A sign of passion for revolution and rebellion. Nowadays, charting music isn’t usually about the state of the world.

We have compiled a list of the best songs about fire that represent these ideas. It’s okay if you disagree with it, in fact, we’ve included a long list at the end of the article with all the songs which were considered to be in the top 15. Your favorite might be in there.

Spotify Fire Playlist

Top 20 Trending Fire Songs

1. “Fire and the Flood” by Vance Joy (Alternative – 2014)
2. “Fire” by The Pointer Sisters (R&B – 1978)
3. “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys (R&B – 2012)
4. “Fire” by Barns Courtney (Alternative – 2017)
5. “Fire” by Ohio Players (R&B – 1974)
6. “Firework” by Katy Perry (Pop – 2010)
7. “Fire Away” by Chris Stapleton (Country – 2015)
8. “Fire” by 2NE1 (K-pop – 2009)
9. “Fire on Up” by Paper Kings (Alternative – 2019)
10. “Fireball” by Pitbull, John Ryan (Pop – 2014)
11. “Burning Up (Fire)” by BTS (K-pop – 2016)
12. “Fire Emoji” by YB (Christian Rap – 2018)
13. “Fire On Fire” by Sam Smith (Pop – 2018
14. “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel (Rock – 1989)
15. “Fireflies” by Owl City (Electronic – 2009)
16. “Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston (Pop – 2009)
17. “Firestarter” by Prodigy (Electronic – 1997)
18. “Sex on Fire” by Kings Of Leon (Alternative – 2008)
19. “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Fall Out Boy (Alternative – 2023)
20. “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor (Folk – 1970)

Popular Songs About Fire

DragonForce – Through The Fire And Flames

Released in 2005 on the album Inhuman Rampage

Notable Lyrics: “We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days / Through the fire and the flames, we carry on”

If you ever got really good at Guitar Hero then you probably know this song like the back of your hand. The impressive power metal sound is something you never forget.

This seven-and-a-half-minute song has forever been immortalized in speed metal history.

If you love guitar solos then ‘Through the Fire and Flames’ is for you. It is what I would call a ‘battle song’, this means that it is the kind of song you would expect to be accompanied by a large fight scene in a movie.

The song itself is about being surrounded by creatures of evil and powering through them. Many people see evil as the symbol of depression, and people’s constant battle to fight it.

The fire in this song is the trials one must face in order to gain victory.

Johnny Cash – Ring Of Fire

Released in 1963 on the album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash

Notable Lyrics: “And the flames went higher / And it burns, burns, burns / The ring of fire”

Possibly the most famous country song in history, ‘Ring of Fire’ was initially released in 1963 on the album of the same name.

The original version was recorded by Anita Carter, June Carter’s (Johnny Cash’s second wife) sister. Cash later re-recorded it with the iconic mariachi horns added.

June Carter initially wrote the song about falling in love with Cash. While they were both married at the time, they quickly fell in love. This is evident through the song’s original title ‘(Love’s) Ring of Fire’.

Cash’s first wife Vivian says that June didn’t write the song, and instead Cash did while drunk and thinking about female private parts. This is what many people believe the ‘ring of fire’ is referring to.

Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start The Fire

Released in 1989 on the album Storm Front

Notable Lyrics: “We didn’t start the fire / It was always burning, since the world’s been turning / We didn’t start the fire / No, we didn’t light it, but we tried to fight it”

‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ is a list song about the affairs that happened during Joel’s life.

It is like a 4-and-a-half-minute long history lesson about 1948-1989. Joel said he wrote the song after a conversation with then-21-year-old Sean Lennon. Lennon said that nothing happened in the 50s and Joel realized he didn’t know about the Korean War or the Suez Canal Crisis.

Joel has stated previously that he didn’t care much for the melody of the song, but it still carries an important message. That is that no matter how little time passes, world-changing events will still happen.

Since its release, there have been multiple parodies of the song detailing more recent events.

If you like fire, see our list of the biggest hits about hell.

Adele – Set Fire To The Rain

Released in 2011 on the album 21

Notable Lyrics: “But I set fire to the rain / Watched it pour as I touched your face / Well, it burned while I cried”

A power pop ballad. While not necessarily about fire, it is about the impossible task of burning up the rain.

Adele’s incredible vocals tell a heartbreaking story of a relationship coming to an end. After lies and deception, she decides to avoid heartbreak and do the impossible task of ending the relationship. Similar to how it is impossible to set fire to rain, she overcomes all odds and leaves him.

Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire

Released in 2008 on the album Only by the Night

Notable Lyrics: “Feels like you’re dying / You’re dying / You / Your sex is on fire”

It was written by the lead singer about his then-girlfriend (now wife).

The other band members said that the song was never meant to be about sexuality and was initially called ‘Set Us on Fire’. After one of the sound mixers misheard it as ‘Sex on Fire’ it then became a running joke and eventually led to a name change.

Despite its initial intention, the song has become an anthem of lust, and the music video reflects this in its suggestive imagery.

Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls Of Fire

Released in 1957 as a single

Notable Lyrics: “You broke my will / But what a thrill / Goodness gracious, great balls of fire”

This rockabilly single quickly rose up the charts. Jerry Lee Lewis’s career was set to skyrocket, however, a year later he was involved in a marriage scandal. Lewis was revealed to be married to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Lewis.

In 1989 a movie sharing the name of the song was released about the scandal. The movie was based on the book written by Myra.

You need fire to light a candle. See our list of songs about candles.

The Trammps – Disco Inferno

Released in 1976 on the album Disco Inferno

Notable Lyrics: “disco inferno / (Burn baby burn) burn that mother down y’all / (Burn baby burn) disco inferno / (Burn baby burn) burn that mother down”

While it didn’t receive immediate success it was later featured in the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’. The version featured in the movie was almost 11 minutes long and became a staple of disco.

The fire in this song is referring to the literal hot moves of disco dancing. Something I believe we can all relate to.

The song was later covered by Tina Turner in 1993 and Cyndi Lauper in 1998.

The Prodigy – Firestarter

Released in 1996 on the album The Fat of the Land

Notable Lyrics: “I’m the pain you tasted, fell intoxicated / I’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter / You’re the firestarter, twisted firestarter”

‘Firestarter’ became an instant rave classic. While it was initially criticized for promoting arson, the band stated that it is about stirring up a crowd.

In 2019, fans of The Prodigy got ‘Firestarter’ back to number one in order to raise awareness for suicide in men. This was to honor the lead singer Keith Flint who took his own life that year.

Elvis Presley – Burning Love

Released in 1972 as a single

Notable Lyrics: “Like a sweet song of a choir / And you light my morning sky / With burning love”

‘Burning Love’ was Elvis Presley’s last top 10 hit. It was originally released by Arthur Alexander and became an instant success.

This rock ‘n’ roll classic is about the desire for a woman, it is said that Presley was initially hesitant to record the song because he had just separated from his wife Priscilla.

Metallica – Fight Fire With Fire

Released in 1984 on the album Ride the Lightning

Notable Lyrics: “Fight fire with fire / Ending is near / Fight fire with fire / Bursting with fear”

‘Fight Fire with Fire’ tells a story of nuclear war.

While the song starts slow it soon progresses into a heavy riff. This could symbolize how quickly we can progress into apocalyptic territory when everyone fights each other.

Bloodhound Gang – Fire Water Burn

Released in 1996 on the album One Fierce Beer Coaster

Notable Lyrics: “The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire / We don’t need no water, let the motherfucker burn / Burn motherfucker, burn”

‘Fire Water Burn’ has featured lyrics from the song ‘The Roof is on Fire’ by Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three.

The song references popular culture and is purposefully done in a monotone, nonsensical way.

The censored version comically has a donkey braying instead of the typical ‘beep’.

There is a fire when people make love. See our list of songs about sex.

Katy Perry – Firework

Released in 2010 on the album Teenage Dream

Notable Lyrics: “Baby, you’re a firework / Come on, let your colors burst / Make ’em go, “Oh, oh, oh”

If you didn’t hear this song in 2010 when it came out, then you were definitely living under a rock. This song immediately became a dance-pop anthem.

The lyrics speak of self-empowerment and believing you are worthy. The fireworks in the song are about how bright your personality can be.

Take That – Relight My Fire

Released in 1993 on the album Everything Changes

Notable Lyrics: “So baby don’t turn away / Listen to what I gotta say / Relight my fire / Your love is my only desire”

Featuring Lulu, this saucy rendition of the 1979 song by Dan Hartman became a disco classic. The Take That cover was released in 1993.

Many people praised Lulu’s vocals on the song as she had big shoes to fill, as Loletta Holloway was on the original song.

Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire

Released in 2012 on the album Girl on Fire

Notable Lyrics: “She got her head in the clouds / And she’s not backing down / This girl is on fire”

This R&B track was intoxicating with its powerful lyrics and thumping beat.

Keys said that the song was inspired by the birth of her son and is a toast to women’s achievements everywhere.

BTS – Fire

Released in 2016 on the album The Most Beautiful Moment In Life: Young Forever

Notable Lyrics: “Throw your hands up, scream, burn it up / Burning up / Set everything on fire, bow-wow-wow”

It’s impossible to talk about music in this day and age without mentioning BTS. This South Korean boy group has been making waves with its intense choreography and meaningful lyrics.

The catchy lyrics have the message of living without fear.

Next, see a list of songs about the wind.

More Tunes With Fire In Lyrics

Here is a list of other great songs about fire. The list is in alphabetical order by artist, and to keep it fair we tried to keep it to one song per artist as well.

• ABBA – Kisses Of Fire
• AC/DC – Baptism By Fire
• Aerosmith – She’s On Fire
• Al Green – Full of Fire
• Alabama – Fire On Fire
• Alice Cooper – House Of Fire
• Alter Bridge – Calm The Fire
• Amaranthe – Inferno
• Amon Amarth – Death In Fire
• Anvil – Forged In Fire
• Arctic Monkeys – Fire And The Thud
• Arthur Brown – Fire
• Audioslave – Original Fire
• Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd Of Fire
• Bastille – Things We Lost In The Fire
• Bathory – Enter The Eternal Fire
• Big Country – Fields Of Fire
• Blackpink – Playing With Fire
• Black Veil Brides – Heart Of Fire
• Blindside – About A Burning Fire
• Blue Öyster Cult – Burnin’ For You
• Bob Dylan – The Wheel’s On Fire
• Bob Marley – Catch A Fire
• Bob Seger – Fire Lake
• Bon Jovi – To The Fire
• Brandon Flowers – Playing With Fire
• Bright Eyes – Firewall
• Bruce Springsteen – I’m On Fire
• Bullet For My Valentine – Hearts Burst Into Fire
• Busta Rhymes – Fire
• Chaka Khan – Through The Fire
• Cher – Fire & Rain
• Clean Bandit – Heart On Fire
• Cyndi Lauper – Brimstone And Fire
• Dan Fogelberg – Face The Fire
• David Bowie – Set The World On Fire
• Dead By Sunrise – Fire
• Dead Kennedys – Forest Fire
• Death Cab For Cutie – Grapevine Fires
• Deep Purple – Fireball
• Def Leppard – Comin’ Under Fire
• Diana Ross – Fire Don’t Burn
• Dierks Bentley – Feel That Fire
• Disturbed – Inside The Fire
• Drake – Fireworks
• Dwight Twilley – I’m On Fire
• Earth, Wind & Fire – Serpentine Fire
• Ed Sheeran – I See Fire
• Elton John – Hoop Of Fire
• Eminem – On Fire
• Fear Factory – Freedom Or Fire
• Fleetwood Mac – Bright Fire
• Flyleaf – Set Me On Fire
• Funeral For A Friend – Someday The Fire
• Gorillaz – Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey’s Head
• Grateful Dead – Fire On The Mountain
• Gwen Stefani – Spark The Fire
• Halestorm – I Am The Fire
• Halsey – Angel On Fire
• Iron Maiden – Quest For Fire
• James Blake – I Need A Forest Fire
• James Taylor – Fire And Rain
• Jamie T. – Earth, Wind & Fire
• Jessie J – Fire
• Jet – Black Hearts
• Jimi Hendrix – Fire
• John Mellencamp – Paper In Fire
• Josh Turner – Firecracker
• Journey – Line Of Fire
• Kasabian – Fire
• Kelis – 4th Of JulyKid Cudi – Baptized In Fire
• Killswitch Engage – This Fire
• Kiss – Firehouse
• Kylie Minogue – Soul On Fire
• Leona Lewis – Fire Under My Feet
• Leonard Cohen – Who By Fire
• Lil Wayne – Start A Fire
• Madina Lake – Fireworks
• Man – Daughter Of The Fireplace
• Marilyn Manson – Into The Fire
• Mary J. Blige – City On Fire
• Meat Puppets – Lake Of Fire
• Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning
• Modest Mouse – Fire It Up
• Morrissey – Hairdresser On Fire
• Motorhead – Fire, Fire
• N-Dubz – Playing With Fire
• Nickelback – Song On Fire
• Nicki Minaj – Fire Burns
• Nine Inch Nails – Burning Bright
• One Direction – Fireproof
• Our Lady Peace – Fire In The Henhouse
• Ozzy Osbourne – Fire In The Sky
• Passenger – Hearts On Fire
• Pink – Just Like Fire
• Pitbull – Fireball
• Queen – Put Out The Fire
• Rage Against The Machine – Sleep Now In The Fire
• R.E.M. – Fireplace
• Regina Spektor – Firewood
• Revolting Cocks – Attack Ships On Fire
• Rihanna – Fire Bomb
• Rob Thomas – Fire On The Mountain
• Rush – Cold Fire
• Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire
• Ryan Cabrera – House On Fire
• Sam Phillips – Circle Of Fire
• Sammy Hagar – Baby’s On Fire
• Sarah McLachlan – World On Fire
• Sean Kingston – Fire Burning
• Seventeen – Hot
• Scars On 45 – Heart On Fire
• Scissor Sisters – Fire With Fire
• Sia – Fire Meets Gasoline
• Slash – World On Fire
• Snow Patrol – Set The Fire To The Third Bar
• Solar – Spit It Out
• Soulfly – Blood Fire War Hate
• Speech Debelle – Blaze Up A Fire
• Steely Dan – Fire In The Hole
• Stevie Nicks – Rooms On Fire
• Stevie Wonder – Light My Fire
• Switchfoot – On Fire
• Talking Heads – Burning Down The House
• The Bangles – Eternal Flame
• The Chainsmokers – Setting Fires
• The Clash – Londons Burning
• The Cult – Fire Woman
• The Darkness – Open Fire
• The Doors – Light My Fire
• The Feeling – Set My World On Fire
• The Rolling Stones – Play With Fire
• The Village People – Fire Island
• Tina Turner – Fire Down Below
• U2 – Fire
• Vangelis – Chariots Of Fire
• Wanna One – Burn It Up
• Willow Smith – Fireball

Do you have a favorite fire song? Please share your song below in the comments!