Experience the Fire of These 13 Songs | Playlist

Get lit with “Experience the ‘Fire’ of These 13 Songs,” featuring Alicia Keys, Bebe Rexha, Five Finger Death Punch, Kenny Chesney, and Kids See Ghosts.

About a month before the birth of this playlist, readers were urged to Experience the ‘Burn’ of These 11 Songs.  Now, a month later, The Musical Hype has forced readers to experience a different, if related experience – fire.  The 13 songs featured on this playlist all feature the word ‘fire’ in their respective titles, plain and simple.  Artists sharing some of their fiery and ferocious music with us include Alicia Keys, Bebe Rexha, Five Finger Death Punch, Kenny Chesney, and Kids See Ghosts.  Are you prepared to get lit?

1. KIDS SEE GHOSTS, “Fire”

KIDS SEE GHOSTS • GOOD/Def Jam • 2018

“I love all your shit talkin’ / You ain’t got nothin’ better to…do with yourself?” Kanye West – one-half of KIDS SEE GHOSTS – kicks “Fire” off ferociously on the intro, before dropping an aggressive, if brief verse. Essentially, he seems to be trying to move on and rebound from failures, mistakes, and shortcomings. After allowing the instrumental to shine on its own (that thudding beat is awesome), Kid Cudi follows up with the second verse, which is patterned similarly to West’s.  “It’s so many days I prayed to God,” he begins, continuing, “All this pain, I couldn’t seem to find a way / On a mission livin’, carry on / Got my family, I’m seein’ through by the days.”  On the outro, Cudi is even more spiritually-driven: “Heaven lift me up, hmm-mmm.” Gotta love that signature Cudi hum, sigh.

2. Bishop Briggs, “The Fire”

Church of Scars • Teleport / Island • 2018

“I keep on (runnin’ toward, runnin’ toward the fire) / I keep on (runnin’ toward, runnin’ toward the fire).” Throughout the course of Church of Scars, Rising British-American alternative singer Bishop Briggs delivers a ‘short but sweet,’ underrated debut album with Church of Scars.  She has tremendous potential.  One of the better moments from Church of Scars is “The Fire.” Here, in the context of the album, the tempo picks up.  The record is anchored by an electrifying, pummeling beat.  Much more important to the record’s success is the attitude and grit an grit exhibited, which are nothing short of awesome.

3. Judas Priest, “Firepower”

FIREPOWER • Sony UK • 2018

“Firepower / Taking lives / Firepower / Neutralize.”  Judas Priest certainly seem to have the spirit of metal on lockdown on “Firepower,” the title track from their 2018 album.  This isn’t light stuff y’all – this is heavy, heavy metal by all means.

“With weapons drawn we claim the future / And then seep out through every storm / Bring in the foe to be defeated / To pulverize from dusk to dawn.”

The guitars are jagged and turned-up, the drums pummel, and Rob Halford sounds remarkable as he inches closer to 70.

“Empty the chamber / Lock and reload / This world thrives of danger / It’s bound to explode.”

4. Bebe Rexha, “2 Souls on Fire”

Ft. Quavo

Expectations • Warner Bros. • 2018

“Desire, two souls on fire / Make me feel some type of way.” On the romantic, easygoing pop duet “2 Souls on Fire”, Bebe Rexha and Quavo trade lines with one another.  Quavo embraces autotuned pitch throughout – he sings as opposed to raps.  It works, even if it’s “nothing to write home about.” As for Rexha, she maintains her vocal strength, particularly in her upper register.  The production is current and fresh, blending pop and hip-hop seamlessly.  The needle isn’t moved on this pop collaboration, but “2 Souls on Fire” packs a respectable punch.

5. Five Finger Death Punch, “Fire in the Hole”

And Justice for None • Prospect Park • 2018

They don’t call heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch for nothing! The band’s 2018 album, And Justice for None, is a prime example of the FFDP being true to themselves. “Open windows, closing doors / God can’t help us anymore / Souls forever come and go / Burn all the bridges and fire in the hole.” Like most FFDP songs, “Fire in the Hole” is dark, heavy, and hellish.  The guitars are edgy. Frontman Ivan Moody is edgy as well. The aforementioned chorus makes it clear we’re all screwed – not even God can help us, sigh.

6. Lauv, “Chasing Fire”

I met you when I was 18. • Lauv • 2018

“I hate you ‘cause I still love you / And it’s weighing on my chest / We keep our bodies tied together / To ignore what’s coming next.” Initially on “Chasing Fire”, Lauv sings in his lower register (first verse), before ascending into his middle register on the first pre-chorus.  The interpretation of the first verse is shallow to some extent, but not far-fetched.  Despite an imminent break-up, sex keeps them together.

After showcasing vocal restraint early on, he’s fully invested. The chorus is among the catchiest of the playlist, I met you when I was 18.

“I’m chasing fire when I’m running after you, you
You got that something that I never wanna lose, lose
It’s like dancing when the song’s already over
Moving without getting any closer, oh
I’m chasing fire when I’m running after you.”

7. Mike Shinoda, “Words on Fire”

Post Traumatic • Warner Bros. • 2018

“Don’t think I need to say this / ‘Cause you know what’s in my head / ‘Fucked up’ is an understatement / Can’t wait for this year to end.” Sometimes, the best way to express one’s emotions is via music.  That’s exactly what Mike Shinoda does on his full-length solo debut, Post Traumatic.  Clearly, Shinoda is attempting to process tremendous loss throughout the project, following the tragic suicide of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.  While it can be a difficult and sad listen, Post Traumatic is a truly special album.  On the penultimate track, “World’s on Fire,” Shinoda discusses how life has changed – what a bad year it was.  He ultimately summarizes the fiery state of the world saying, “The world’s on fire, all I need is you.”

8. Niall Horan, “Fire Away”

Flicker • Capitol • 2017

“There’s a reservoir in your eyes / That you’ve been holding back a long time, what’s wrong?” Niall Horan became the third member of One Direction to drop a solo album. His 2017 LP Flicker had been in the works a long time, beginning with the release of single “This Town” back in Fall 2016.  Ultimately, Flicker ended up being a solid and respectable effort that also exhibited room for growth for the Irish musician.  The song from the album pertinent to this fiery list is “Fire Away.”

“Darling, you don’t have to hold it
You don’t have to be afraid
You can go ahead and unload it
‘Cause you know it’ll be okay
Fire away
Fire away.”

“Fire Away” doesn’t take any notable risks, but as aforementioned, it gives Horan a respectable musical moment.  Vocally, it would’ve been nice if he did more with the song, particularly on the long notes on the chorus.  Still, the simplicity and radiance of the record go a long way.

9. Kenny Chesney, “Setting the World on Fire”

Ft. P!nk

Cosmic Hallelujah • Sony Music Nashville • 2016

On “Setting the World on Fire”, veteran country singer/songwriter Kenny Chesney enlisted the services of pop superstar P!nk.  That was smart. The soundly-produced record commences with a ‘countrified’ opening with the acoustic guitar. While it naturally embraces country music, it’s ‘neutral’ enough to hang with pop. Chesney handles the verses, getting a lift from backing vocals by P!nk.  The pre-chorus section finds Chesney and P!nk blending seamlessly. Rhythmic, the melodic line masterfully builds, leading into the chorus. P!nk’s big moment comes on the catchy chorus, where her powerful pipes are perfectly suited.

“Up all night and we were feelin’ so good
Yeah, we got a little higher than we probably should
We were in a hotel singin’ in the hallway lights
We were strikin’ the matches right down the ashes
Setting the world on fire, setting the world on fire.”

The chorus does a superb job of splitting the difference between country and pop – there’s a clear, crossover sensibility. Interestingly, it is the fine details that really make “Setting the World on Fire” shine.

10. Kid Cudi, “Baptized in Fire”

Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ • Republic • 2016

“A fresh n***a at large, a fresh n***a go hard / All my youngins say keep it goin’ / all my youngins they dumb and reppin’, they always knowin.” “Baptized in Fire” features dark, enigmatic production work. The record is anchored by a hard-hitting beat. Kid Cudi delivers nimble rhymes, returning to his signature sound.  Notably, he raps in an undertone. A number of memorable rhymes appear throughout, including “You b*tches in my ear, they sayin’ they love me / Uh, you don’t love Scott, you loving Kid Cudi,” excepted from the first verse.

On this particular excerpt, Cudi suggests women love his status as a celebrity – notoriety, money, shallowness.

“Nightmares kept a n***a from closin’ his lids / Since a kid I’ve been haunted by visions of death / such a trip, not normal, I customed the grip.” Arguably, his best rhymes occur on the second verse, including referencing nightmares – think Man on the Moon.  Travis Scott takes over duties on the hook:

“Life ain’t easy sober, we live so geeky
Did just what you taught us 
Kept peace, no drama
Phone home to the moon
Did you change your number?
If and when, you get this message
Need you back home...”

Ultimately, Kid Cudi flexes hard on “Baptized in Fire.”

11. Sia, “House on Fire”

This Is Acting • RCA • 2016

“Baby, I’m a house on fire / And I want to keep burning / Boy, I’m going up in flames / And you’re to blame.” Hmm, Sia is clearly infatuated with this man and it’s not good. Remember Panic! At the Disco likened a house to a relationship? Sia does the same, only this one is “on fire.” Lyrically poetic, she clearly articulates her point – there’s no hidden motives in the least.  “So, take me to the heavens now / As we burn down…” is brilliant because it signifies the pleasure and pain.  Pleasure and pain are two common contrasts in relationship-themed songs.

12. Alicia Keys, “Girl on Fire”

Ft. Nicki Minaj

Girl on Fire • RCA • 2012

“This girl is on fire / This girl is on fire / She’s walking on fire / This girl is on fire.” Simple, but telling, right? “Girl on Fire” was kind of a big deal in 2012.  No, Alicia Keys didn’t quite recapture commercial success to the same degree as her dominance of the 00s, but, “Girl on Fire” gave her a much-needed hit.  Initially, Keys released several versions of the record, but it was the ‘Inferno version,’ featuring Nicki Minaj that made the album of the same name.  Ultimately, Keys’ message is one of empowerment, something that she’s sought to capture musically throughout the entirety of her career.

“Oh, she got both feet on the ground 
And she’s burning it down
Oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she’s not backing down.”

13. Kings of Leon, “Sex on Fire”

Only by the Night • RCA • 2008

“You! / Your sex is on fire / Consumed! / With what’s just transpired!” Hmm, doesn’t take deep thought to interpret what frontman Caleb Followill is singing about.  While it took Kings of Leon a while, they finally managed to get wider recognition beginning with their 2008 album, Only by the Night.  While “Use Somebody” is the most decorated record from the LP, winning two Grammys (including Record of the Year), “Sex on Fire” would win a Grammy a year earlier for Best Rock Performance.  This is good ole, throwback, gritty traditional rock, driven by red hot sex.

Photo Credits: Capitol, Def Jam, GOOD, Island, Lauv, Prospect Park, RCA, Republic, Sony Music Nashville, Sony UK, Teleport, Warner Bros.