Songwriters simply love to use the metaphor of fire when it comes to describing the passionate intensity of an incident.
Whether it’s a blazing inferno that quickly consumes everything in its path or a slow-burning ember that slowly dies out, the image of fire is evocative and often reflects the dramatic ups and downs of life.
And while there are many songs written about house fires, have a look at our list of 12 of the best ones.
1. House Burning Down – Jimi Hendrix
Look at the sky turn a hell fire red, Somebody's house is burnin' down down, down downDown, down, down
According to many sources, this song is about the confrontation between the narrator and riots against Vietnam War in the late 1960s.
Some even say that the song is about Civil Right Movement and was influenced by Martin Luther King’s assassination. Whatever the case, this song is definitely one of those songs where we can hear Jimi’s musical genius at work.
2. Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
My house is out of the ordinary, That’s right, don't wanna hurt nobody, Some things sure can sweep me off my feet, Burning down the house
A chart topper by the New wave band Talking Heads, this song is about destroying something safe that entrapped you as said by David Byrne ( Band’s lead singer ).
The lyrics perfectly capture that feeling of being consumed by the moment and forgetting everything else. But it is also a reminder to break free from the things that hold us back.
3. The House Is on Fire – AC/DC
She got me runnin' for shelter Needing quarantine She got me red hot and wired Call on emergency She bring on the flames And it's burning it's burning My body's achin' tossin' and turnin' This house is on fire
Although not as popular as their other songs, this one by the Australian rock band AC/DC is a great song about house fires.
The lyrics talk about a woman who is so hot and passionate that she sets the narrator’s body and the house on fire. But the lyrics can also be a metaphor for a relationship that is so intense that it burns everything else around it.
4. Fire in the Hen house – Our Lady Peace
Fire in the hen house Protests in the deep south It's Shangri-La in reverse Time to call the wet nurse Markets on the rebound Riots in the ghost towns Dirty little secrets Always change and change and change
Not a political song but a “call to action” of sorts, “Fire in the Henhouse” is about the world is in chaos and people need to take action to make it right.
The lyrics talk about different problems that are happening all over the world and how we need to come together to fix them before it’s too late.
Here “Shangri-La in reverse” means a utopia that is the opposite of what it should be.
5. House On Fire – Mimi Webb
I saw you out, it was zero degrees And you had your hands right under her sleeves Oh, you said you don't get cold, you liar Now I'ma set your house on fire
” House on Fire ” is a song about finding out that the person you love is cheating on you and feeling so betrayed and hurt that you want to set their house on fire.
The lyrics are powerful and captures the feeling of anger and betrayal perfectly while also being catchy and fun to listen to.
6. House on Fire – Sia
Babe, I'm gonna drink you in
Like oxygen, like oxygen
Baby, I'm a house on fire
And I wanna keep burning
Boy, I'm going up in flames
And you're to blame
Yeah, you're to blame
A more recent song about house fires, “House on Fire” by Sia is a song about being so in love with someone that you feel like you’re on fire.
The lyrics talk about how the narrator is consumed by their love for the other person and how they want to keep burning.
7. Burning House – Cam
I had a dream about a burning house
You were stuck inside, I couldn't get you out
I laid beside you and pulled you close
And the two of us went up in smoke
Love isn't all that it seems I did you wrong
I'll stay here with you until this dream is gone
A metaphor for a dying relationship, “Burning House” by Cam is a song about how sometimes the things we love can end up hurting us.
The lyrics talk about how the narrator had a dream about their relationship burning down and how they stayed with the other person even though it was hurting them.
8. Set the House Ablaze – The Jam
I think we've lost our perception
I think we've lost sight of the goals we should
Be working for
I think we've lost our reason
We stumble blindly and that vision must be restored
“Set the House Ablaze” is a song about how hatred and bigotry can blind people and how it’s important to fight against them.
The lyrics are very powerful and capture the feeling of frustration and helplessness that many people feel in the face of bigotry. But it’s also a reminder that we should never give up hope because eventually, love and reason will always win.
9. fire on your house – Trevor Hall
All of that karma coming back around, oh no
Do what you do, I cannot help you now
You made your bed and now you sleep in pain
Down on your knees, you better pray for rain
This song is about how sometimes people can be so hurt by someone that they trusted that all they can do is watch as the person self-destructs.
The lyrics talk about how the narrator tried to help the other person but they just kept making bad choices and how now all they can do is watch as they suffer the consequences.
10. The House On Fire – The Clientele
midnight coming back around the summer heat that wears me out is drifting through a firmament of cranes & the friends I've left behind are speechless in my sunlit mind as through the door to summer through the door to summer they pass away if there's a stillness in your eyes the unreal city's closing all its summer doors on you tonight yeah won't you step into the light the arcades that have blossomed just to fade into the shadows of the night through all the trains still moving in my mind the gas fire flares into the light & I am in this house on fire but I was only watching clouds go by
11. I Was in the House When the House Burned Down – Warren Zevon
I had the shit till it all got smoked I kept the promise till the vow got broke I had to drink from the lovin' cup I stood on the banks till the river rose up I saw the bride in her wedding gown I was in the house when the house burned down I may be old and I may be bent But I had the money till it all got spent I had the money till they made me pay Then I had the sense to be on my way I had to stay in the underground I was in the house when the house burned down
12. Setting Fire to Your House – Blank Dogs
Wrapping Up
We hope that you enjoyed this list of songs about house fires. These are just a few of the best songs out there that capture the devastation, heartbreak, and hope that comes with this tragedy. If you know of any other great songs about house fires, be sure to share them with us through our contact us page.
