11 Epic Songs Filled with Fire 🔥 | Playlist 🎧

11 Epic Songs Filled with Fire 🔥 features music courtesy of Alicia Keys, Black Pumas, Katy Perry, Lil Uzi Vert, and Ohio Players. 

Don’t let the FIRE 🔥, rather the flames of  🎧 11 Epic Songs Filled with Fire 🔥 consume you! No worries as you can’t really get burned or die from this playlist 😅. The fire is metaphorical, not physical! It isn’t the first time the flames have graced The Musical Hype (see 🎧 11 Brilliant Songs Fueled by Fire (2021)), but it’s been a long, long time! 🎧 11 Epic Songs Filled with Fire features music courtesy of 🎙 Alicia Keys, 🎙 Black Pumas, 🎙 Katy Perry, 🎙 Lil Uzi Vert, and  Ohio Players among others. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into this fire 🔥, shall we? BURN, BABY BURN 🔥!!!

1. Ohio Players, “Fire” 

💿 Fire • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1974

“Cause when you’re hot, you’re hot, you really shoot your shot / You’re dynamite child, yeah.” Oh, snap 🫰! “Fire 🔥.” WOO! 🎵 “Fire” by 🎙 Ohio Players is a fiery 🔥 1970s funk classic, PERIOD.  Notably, this gem from 💿 Fire (1974) peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The record was penned by 🎼✍ Clarence Satchell, James Williams, Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner, Marshall Jones, Marvin Pierce, Ralph Middlebrooks, and William Beck. Ohio Players produced this energetic joint which speaks for itself.

While “Fire” does speak for itself, what makes it utter fire 🔥 for Ohio Players? EVERYTHING! Leroy Sugarfoot Bonner serves up mean vocals filled with nuance and expression. He was a one-of-a-kind vocalist, something “Fire” confirms.  Lyrically, the song is entertaining to the nth degree: “The way you walk and talk really sets me off / To a four-alarm 🚨, child, yes it does.” Ooh-wee! Bonner titillates when he sings, “When you shake what you got, and girl, you’ve got a lot 🍑 / You really somethin’, child, yes you are.”  Supporting Bonner’s lead and the ear-catching lyrics is a marvelous instrumental.  The groove cooks 🧑‍🍳 without a doubt.  The guitar 🎸 is rad, the bass line anchors, and the horns pack a serious bite.  50 years later, 🎵 “Fire” continues to burn, burn, burn, baby!  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Ohio Players, Fire: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 169 (2023) 

2. Dolly Parton, “World On Fire”   

💿 Rockstar • 🏷 Butterfly / Big Machine Label Group • 🗓 2023    

According to the iconic 🎙 Dolly Parton 🤩, we live in a 🎵 “World On Fire”. In the promo single from her ROCK album, 💿 Rockstar, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee asserts in the chorus, “Liar, liar, the world’s on fire / What you gonna do when it all burns down? / Fire, fire, burnin’ higher / Still got time to turn it all around.” “World On Fire” is one of the original songs from Rockstar, which is comprised of numerous covers and collaborations with numerous big-time musicians.    

“World On Fire” finds Dolly Parton sounding marvelous, as always. Well into her seventies, Parton’s voice sounds as distinct, effective, and fresh as ever.  Assertive in her performance, you buy what Dolly sells regarding the state of the world. In the first verse, Parton asserts, “Everybody’s trippin’ over this or that / What we gonna do when we all fall flat?” She has a point – we live in divisive, polarizing times.  In the second verse, the man upstairs comes into the picture: “When did we lose ‘In God we trust?’ / God almighty, what we gonna do? / If God ain’t listenin’ and we’re deaf too.” Parton even slides in some profanity, crying foul regarding “Greedy politicians, present and past / They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ‘em in the ass.” Real talk.  Parton supports the assertion that the world is on fire, even if solving the problem is the taller task. Well written and well produced, this rock version of Parton, which does not alienate her country fan base, sounds good 🤘.    

Appears in 🔻:  

• Awesome Songs: May 2023  

3. Lil Uzi Vert, “Fire Alarm” (Ft. Snow Strippers) 

💿 Pink Tape • 🏷 Generation Now / Atlantic • 📅 2023

“Ain’t no bitch never heard of me / I fuck hoes off burgundy, she said, ‘Can I get a Birkin, please.’” Ooh-wee! 🎵 “Fire Alarm” appears as the 16th track on 💿 Pink Tape, the 2023 album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper, 🎙 Lil Uzi Vert. Notably, Lil Uzi Vert is assisted by 🎙 Snow Strippers. Specifically, 🎙 Tatiana Schwaninger provides vocals in the intro (“I can’t be myself, see myself, slice myself / I can’t sell my soul, clean my soul, slice my soul”) and the interlude, while 🎛 Graham Perez produces alongside Don Cannon.  The production is ear-catching, featuring two samples: 🎵 “Stress” by 🎙 Justice and 🎵 “Siren” from 🎦 Silent Hill. The backdrop is fuel ⛽️ for Uzi Vert’s fire 🔥 which is unapologetic AF. The substance is lacking for the rapper, well, unless you consider the likes of “Takin’ these pills, and these pills got me outer space” being deep. There are multiple references to drip, and he freely uses the word bitch, sigh. “I know some bitches addicted to soda,” he asserts in the second verse, later, mentioning bitches again sexually: “She gave me head like that bitch got diploma.” “Fire Alarm” is what it is – a three-minute banger that goes hella dumb.

4. Rick James, “Fire and Desire” (Ft. Teena Marie) 

💿 Street Songs • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1981  

“I’ve got a new lady now / And it’s a little different than when I was with you,” the late, great R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 Rick James (1948 – 2004) asserts in the intro of 🎵 “Fire And Desire”. “Fire And Desire” appears on James’ platinum certified, 1981 album, 💿 Street Songs. He expounds on the seven-minute-plus, sixth track, “I think of how you changed me with your love and your sensitivity.”  Although James is with someone new, he touts how much his ex-girlfriend changed him – taught him how to love.  In the first verse, he sings about how bad he treated his girlfriends: “I was cold as ice long ago, baby, baby / I wasn’t very, very, very nice, you know / Sugar, sugar, sugar / Then I kissed your lips.” Notably,  the centerpiece of “Fire And Desire” is the chorus, which finds James showing gratitude to his ex for teaching him how to love and be a better man:      

“And you turned on my fire, baby  

And you burn me up within your flame  

Took me a little higher  

Made me live again  

You turned on my fire, baby  

Then you showed me what a love could do  

Fire and desire, baby  

Feel it coming through  

And I thank you baby.”  

Rick James sounds fantastic, showing off his robust, soulful instrument.  As electrifying as he is himself, penning, producing, and singing this epic ballad, he is joined by another late legendary R&B artist, 🎙 Teena Marie (1956 – 2010). Notably, Marie and James dated briefly. Clearly, the chemistry is awesome between the two, specifically in the collaborative chorus and outro.  Marie doesn’t enter until well into the song (second verse), flaunting an exquisite tone and an awe-inspiring range.  When Teena sings, it sounds effortless and utterly celestial.  Like Rick, she attests to how he made her love better.  Beyond the thoughtful, love-oriented songwriting, the sound of 🎵 “Fire And Desire” is gorgeous including the rhythm section, strings 🎻, and vibraphone.  Honestly, this 80s gem 💎 deserved much more attention on the charts.   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Rick James, Fire And Desire: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 67 (2023) 

5. Colm R. McGuinness, “Hellfire”  

🎵 “Hellfire” • 🏷 Colm R. McGuinness • 🗓 2023

Ah! It is always exciting to hear various musicians cover some of the greatest songs from Disney animated films.  The song from 🎦 The Hunchback of Notre Dame that draws the most attention is the dark, hellish, 🎵 “Hellfire”, which in the 1996 animated film, is paired with “Heaven’s Light.” While the “Heaven’s Light” finds Quasimodo bringing optimism, it’s Judge Claude Frollo’s lustful “Hellfire” that makes us question how The Hunchback of Notre Dame ended up being a G-rated children’s movie.  Anyways, talented Irish singer/composer 🎙 Colm McGuinness (COLM is pronounced COLUMN) delivers an alluring take on one of Disney’s darkest music classics. 

McGuinness’ 🎵 “Hellfire” fittingly begins with the haunting Latin text featured in the original. It retains the theatrical flair, but also has a hint of the spirit of rock 🤘.  Colm’s tone is otherworldly – quite distinct.  He truly catches the ear 👂 early on, channeling his best Judge Claude Frollo with his deep, passionate, and robust instrument. Colm sings with incredible expression, grit, and power 💪. This is one instance where masculinity, via his sound, is #WINNING.  Watching the music video of the cover, you can’t take your eyes off of Colm, who puts his all into these damning lyrics – he truly sells it like champ. The dramatic instrumental only fuels ⛽️ the fire 🔥, making us Disney kids reminisce back in fondness to one of the best villainous songs of all time.   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Colm R. McGuinness, Hellfire: Covers No. 28 (2023) 

6. The Pointer Sisters, “Fire”  

💿 Energy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1978 

“My words say split 💔 / But my words they lie 🤥 / ‘Cause when we kiss 😘, ooh, fire.” Fire 🔥, indeed, 🎙 The Pointer Sisters! 🎵 “Fire” marks one of the biggest hits by the iconic, 🏆 Grammy-winning, sister group comprised of 🎙️ Anita Pointer (1948 – 2022), June Pointer (1953 – 2006), and Ruth Pointer (1946 – ). Anita sings led on this gem, which performed superbly on the pop charts, peaking at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 (it debuted in 1978).  It should be noted that “Fire” is NOT an original 🤯. The Pointer Sisters made a 🎼 ✍ Bruce Springsteen song, originally intended for 🎙 Elvis Presley, and recorded by 🎙 Robert Gordon and Springsteen himself, a gargantuan hit. In addition to its chart accolades, “Fire” was certified gold by the RIAA. Likewise, the parent album, 💿 Energy, was also certified gold. 

The premise of “Fire” is matters of the heart – L-O-V-E ❤️. Essentially, Anita Pointer is giving mixed signals. She doesn’t like him, but she does, as the excerpted lyrics suggest. Prior to those fiery lines, in the first verse, Anita sings, “You’re pullin’ me close / I just say no / I say I don’t like it / But you know I’m a liar.” Oh, Pinocchio 🤥! Similarly, in the second verse, she asserts, “I say I wanna be alone / I say I don’t love you / But you know I’m a liar.”  The lyrics are self-explanatory – easy to follow and ultimately, enjoyable.  Furthermore, the vocals by Anita as well as her sisters are strong – harmonious.  Furthermore, the backdrop is distinct.  This is technically an R&B, record, but, the backdrop also has pop/rock influence, which makes it stand out.  The guitar 🎸, organ, and tambourine are some of the most delicious instruments appearing on the track 🤤. The Pointer Sisters’ 🎵 “Fire” is DEFINITELY fire 🔥🔥🔥.

Appears in 🔻:  

• The Pointer Sisters, Fire: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 170 (2023) 

7. Jerry Lee Lewis, “Great Balls of Fire”  

💿 The Essential Jerry Lee Lewis: The Sun Sessions • 🏷 Sun Entertainment Corporation • 🗓 2013

“Kiss me, baby / Mmm, it feels good / Hold me, baby / Well, I’m off to love you like a lover should.” So, 🎙 Jerry Lee Lewis, tell us, how exactly should a lover love 🤔?  Judging by the 1950s classic, 🎵 “Great Balls of Fire”, incredibly passionately. By 21st century standards, “Great Balls of Fire” is incredibly tame.  Yes, the innuendo is ripe – “I’m real nervous, but it sure is fun / Come on, baby / You drive me crazy” – but it’s not as if Lewis explicitly mentions S-E-X.  Still, for the conservative 1950s, “Great Balls of Fire” raised eyebrows, yet peaked at no. 2 (predating the Billboard Hot 100) in the US and no. 1 in the UK 💪. 

Perhaps what is more controversial than this risqué song is Jerry Lee Lewis himself.  Sure, the fact that Lewis asserts “I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs” in either anticipation for sex or just being hot and bothered was progressive for the time, more disturbing are the many controversies the late icon was part of.  The controversy that coincides with the popularity of “Great Balls of Fire,” specifically in the UK, is the revelation that Lewis, at the time 22, married his second cousin, who was 13… YIKES! This of course led to Lewis’ promising career going down the tube.  Furthermore, for some folks, it might change your perception of the hot and bothered 🎵 “Great Balls of Fire”.  Lewis clearly had his fair share of issues – an understatement – but hard to deny this song right here is a surefire, rock and roll classic.   

Appears in 🔻: 

• Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 11 (2023) 

8. Alicia Keys, “Girl on Fire”  

💿 Girl on Fire • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2012 

“She’s just a girl and she’s on fire 🔥,” 🏆 Grammy winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Alicia Keys asserts on 🎵 “Girl On Fire”. “Girl On Fire” marks the crowning achievement from her 2012 LP, 💿 Girl on Fire. Even though the girl which Keys sings about has the adversity of a crazy world against her, “She knows she can fly away.” Why? Well, because “She’s not backin’ down” and, of course, “This girl is on fire!” “Girl On Fire” just missed the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 11. It is worth noting, on the Inferno version, 🎙 Nicki Minaj assists, performing the first and fourth verses (“Dear God, if you’re here God / Make the fire disappear when they stare God”). 

Regardless of the mix, Nicki or no Nicki, Alicia Keys is the star of the show.  She sings well, painting a beautiful portrait of a strong, determined woman 💪.  The bridge marks a truly fabulous moment, where Keys makes it clear that this girl doesn’t show her flaws or insecurities in the least.     

“Everybody stands, as she goes by  

‘Cause they can see the flame that’s in her eyes  

Watch her when she’s lighting up the night   

Nobody knows that she’s a lonely girl  

And it’s a lonely world  

But she gon’ let it burn, baby, burn, baby.”   

🎵 “Girl On Fire” speaks to women – empowerment, baby – but it should also be admired by men, too.  A strong woman deserves the admiration and respect of all 💪! 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Alicia Keys, Girl On Fire: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 29 (2023)  

9. Black Pumas, “Fire” 

💿 Black Pumas • 🏷 ATO • 📅 2019

“Got a lover on my mind / That keeps me wanting, steady wanting more.” Ooh wee, that’s nothing short of – wait for it – FIRE 🔥🔥🔥! 🎵 “Fire” appears as the fourth track on 💿 Black Pumas, the 2019, debut album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated duo, 🎙 Black Pumas. 🎙 Eric Burton and 🎙 Adrian Quesada put their foot into this soulful gem.  Burton blesses us with utterly sublime vocals, while Quesada puts in work on the guitar 🎸 and behind the boards 🎛️ 💪.

With the fire 🔥 implied on “Fire,” when does Eric Burton explicitly sing about it? That would be in the chorus. “There’s a fire 🔥, call the fireman 👨‍🚒 / If you’re in pain, baby, call a doctor,” he sings, continuing, “Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I need you’ / I will understand.” Hmm, clearly, this is a different kind of fire 🔥! In the third verse, Burton confesses, “Oh, I long for your lovin’, I can’t get enough / When you tell me I can be there when you love again.” WORD! All told, this four-minute plus joint rocks 🤘!

10. Katy Perry, “Firework”  

💿 Teenage Dream • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2010

Baby, do you know what you are? “You’re a firework 🎆!” WOO! It’s hard to believe that the 🎙 Katy Perry classic, 🎵 “Firework”, arrived way back in 2010! Perry experienced the biggest success of her career, as her 💿 Teenage Dream album was chocked-full of hits. “Firework” spent four weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tallying 39 weeks total on the charts.  The song features marvelous production (🎛 Sandy Vee and StarGate), tuneful melody, a strong vocal from Perry, and most of all, inspiring, memorable, and uplifting songwriting (Perry and 🎼 ✍ Ester Dean join the production team as writers).   

The inspirational, uplifting nature of “Firework” is what has always stood out to me personally.  In the first verse, Perry paints a picture of feeling worthless, and going through ample adversity. “Do you ever feel already buried deep?” she sings, adding, “Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing.”  Following these negative feelings and vibes, Perry shifts all things inspiring.  In the pre-chorus, she tells the hopeless, “You just gotta ignite the light / And let it shine / Just own the night / Like the Fourth of July.” Why? “‘Cause baby, you’re a firework / Come on show ‘em what you’re worth / Make ‘em go, ‘Awe, aw, awe’ / As you shoot across the sky-y-y!” WOO! The second verse, following the epic chorus, embraces this newfound hope and fearlessness, contrasting with the mopey first verse.  Katy encourages us to open a new door! Even though the chorus is the sugar honey iced tea on this bombastic encouraging pop joint, the bridge must be mentioned in all their brightness! “Boom, boom, boom / Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon / It’s always been inside of you, you, you…” Just remember, whether it’s The fourth of July or nah, YOU own every night, darlings!    

Appears in 🔻:   

• Katy Perry, Firework: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 36 (2023)  

11. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire”  

💿 The Essential Johnny Cash • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 2002   

“Love is a burning thing / And it makes a fiery ring.” Indeed, 🎙 Johnny Cash (1932 – 2003), indeed.  “Bound by wild desire / I fell into a ring of fire.” Dang! 🎵 “Ring of Fire” is one of the most iconic country songs of all-time, PERIOD.  In the hands of Mr. Cash, “Ring of Fire” peaked at no. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, one of two top-20 hits by the iconic country musician. The country standard was penned by Cash’s eventual second wife, 🎼 ✍ June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. Carter Cash didn’t write it for Cash, but rather her sister, Anita Carter, per Alex Baker of Fender. Unsurprisingly, early in 🏆 Grammy history, at the 6th Annual Grammy Awards, Cash earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Country & Western Recording.  

So, what makes “Ring of Fire” the sugar honey iced tea? The theme and songwriting go a long way, particularly the catchy chorus.  Sing along if you know it!    

“I fell into a burning ring of fire  

I went down, down, down   

And the flames went higher  

And it burns, burns, burns,   

The ring of fire  

The ring of fire.”    

Of course, those expressive, nuanced vocals of Johnny Cash are the biggest attraction 💪. That baritone is nothing short of amazing.  Also, throw in the mariachi horns 🎺  and the backdrop is distinct and sweet.  The groove is infectious, reminding us just how fabulous the country/western music of the past is.  Still, the focal point is the icon himself, Johnny Cash, who made 🎵 “Ring of Fire” a gargantuan hit. The greatness of the song speaks for itself.    

Appears in 🔻:   

• Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 144 (2023)  
• 13 Songs That Totally RING the Bell (2023)  

11 Epic Songs Filled with Fire 🔥 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Butterfly / Big Machine Label Group, Capitol, Colm R. McGuinness, RCA, Sony Music Entertainment, Sun Entertainment Corporation, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Pixabay from Pexels]