The 1980s was a monumental decade for music. It was an era filled with unique sounds, groundbreaking artists, and songs that have stood the test of time. Among the many themes that captivated songwriters of the 80s Songs About Fire , fire was a prominent one. Songs about fire embodied the passion, desire, and burning spirit of the decade. From rock anthems to pop ballads, fire was used as a metaphor for the intensity of love, lust, yearning, and more. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to the 80s and explore some of the most memorable songs that incorporated the fiery element.

“Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler

This 80s classic was featured on the soundtrack for the 1984 film Footloose. With its driving beat and Tyler’s powerful vocals, this song is all about seeking a passionate hero who can save the day and “set your heart on fire.” The urgency and drama of the lyrics perfectly captured the spirit of 80s Songs About Fire pop/rock. When people hear this song, they can’t help but feel motivated to find their own hero to ignite their hearts and lives.

“I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness

As soon as the instantly recognizable guitar riff kicks in, you know you’re in for a retro rock treat with this 2003 hit. The lyrics speak of how physical desire and love can set everything ablaze and “burn like a flame.” Lead singer Justin Hawkins delivers an over-the-top, frenetic vocal performance that evokes the fire in question. The Darkness cleverly brought back the excess and bombast of 80 s Songs About Fire hard rock with this banger. It topped charts worldwide and fired up many a rock fan in the 2000s just as similar songs did back in the genre’s heyday.

“Light My Fire” by The Doors

Of course, no discussion of songs about fire would be complete without the 1967 smash by The Doors. Jim Morrison’s haunting lyrics use fire imagery to describe the all-consuming nature of passion and sex. When he sings “you know we couldn’t get much higher” and pleads to his lover to “set the night on fire,” you feel the heat. Ray Manzarek’s organ riff is like the flickering flames rising higher and higher before Robby Krieger’s guitar solo erupts in a wailing crescendo. This psychedelic rock classic is one of the most scorching tracks the 80s Songs About Fire ever produced.

“Hearts on Fire” by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

This tune played during a romantic scene in the 1983 blockbuster film Eddie and the Cruisers. With lines like “burning both ends of the night” and “two hearts of fire,” it’s clear this power ballad is all about being consumed by passion. The driving percussion, subtle guitar licks, and Cafferty’s raspy, blue-collar voice gave the song a straight-ahead, working-class rock vibe. But the lyrics express a universal desire for an all-encompassing love. It struck a chord with audiences and ignited an enduring spark for the long forgotten band that created it.

“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash

The Man in Black took on an unexpected tone with this hit in 1963. Though Cash was known for melancholy ballads, this song written by his wife June Carter Cash has an upbeat, almost celebratory feel. The lyrics compare love to burning in a “ring of fire” and being trapped in a “burning ring of fire.” Cash’s hearty baritone breezily embraces the fiery metaphor instead of shying away from it. Some unique mariachi-style trumpets whip up the flames even more. Ultimately, “Ring of Fire” became one of Cash’s signature songs because it proved he could start a toe-tapping firestorm just as well as he could dim the lights.

“Fire Woman” by The Cult

British rockers The Cult unleashed this blazing single in 1987. It combines lead singer Ian Astbury’s mystic, Jim Morrison-esque delivery with slashing hard rock instrumentation. He portrays the woman in question as an unpredictable force of nature who “comes in colors everywhere” and can easily “turn your head.” She burns “just like a flame” yet has a “coolness in her eyes.” The overall vibe is intense, hypnotic and very on-brand for occult-obsessed bands of the 80s Songs About Fire . With the right kind of mysterious, dangerous woman as the subject, fire almost seems like a prerequisite.

“Fire and Ice” by Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar was one of the preeminent female rockers of 80s Songs About Fire . Her album Crimes of Passion contained the fiery anthem “Fire and Ice.” True to Benatar’s style, it’s an empowering song that puts forth her bold, independent point of view when it comes to men and romance. She sings about her burning sexual desires then warns her partner not to play with her emotions: “Don’t play with me, cause you’re playing with fire.” Like many female artists of the time, Benatar embraced sensuality in her music but rejected victimhood or submissiveness. “Fire and Ice” burns with confidence right up to its arena-worthy chorus.

“Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads

Leave it to quirky new wave icons Talking Heads to write an infectious party anthem incorporating surreal fire imagery. Released in 1983, “Burning Down the House” saw modest initial success but grew to be one of the band’s most beloved and recognizable songs. David Byrne’s opening rap words “Watch out, you might get what you’re after!” sets an amusing tone for the off-kilter festivities to come. The lyrics vaguely reference burning/destroying a relationship or old way of life. But the urgent, horn-accented rhythms make it impossible not to move and have fun. Talking Heads may burn down the house in strange fashion, but it’s hard not to get swept up in the flames.

“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty

Rock goddess Stevie Nicks joined forces with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for this 1981 gem. It combines Petty’s bluesy, everyman rock style with Nicks’ ethereal vocals to create an organic musical chemistry. The lyrics describe both the thrill and peril of falling hard for someone. Nicks sings “If you play with fire, fire, fire, baby, you’re bound to get burned” as a warning against reckless romance. However, her effortlessly powerful delivery makes it clear the temptation may be worth the risk. That sums up the eternal allure of songs about playing with fire in the name of desire.

“In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

Phil Collins described his landmark 1981 single as being “about bitterness and revenge and being regretful and guilt.” What sparked such dark emotions? According to legend, Collins witnessed someone who could have rescued a drowning swimmer but didn’t. “In the Air Tonight” is his scathing, brooding condemnation of the stranger’s inaction. Throughout the climactic final third, Collins sings about “flames” reaching as the drums build tension towards his explosive solo. It’s the ultimate fire called down from the sky as bitter payback. The uniqueness and mystery of the lyrics coupled with Collins’ intensity made this one of the most unforgettable songs of the 80s Songs About Fire.

“The Flame” by Cheap Trick

In 1988, power pop stalwarts Cheap Trick softened their edges for the mega ballad “The Flame.” It became their only #1 hit single. Unlike many of their harder rocking songs, “The Flame” portrays the glowing embers of lasting love. Singer Robin Zander achingly sings of “the nights while you sleep” and wanting to the be the object of his lover’s undying passions. Screenwriter Bob Tischler penned the lyrics, which may explain their cinematic, poetic flair. Cheap Trick proved they could set hearts and charts ablaze with raw sentiment as adeptly as crunching guitars.

“Heart and Soul” by T’Pau

This transatlantic hit from 1987 sizzles with an intoxicating rhythm, high energy vocals, and plenty of flames. Singer Carol Decker begins belting “Heart and soul, I fell in love with you, heart and soul, like a fool would do.” The lyrics continue referencing burning love, keeping the home fires burning, and playing with fire. Meanwhile, the band provides a driving beat and dynamic instrumentation accented with 80s-style synths and effects. T’Pau’s fusion of rock, pop, and electronic elements creates the perfect sonic firestorm to match the impassioned vocals. “Heart and Soul” still retains its fiery magic to this day.

Why Are Songs About Fire So Common?

Looking at these memorable 80s songs and numerous others from past decades, it’s clear fire is one of the most ubiquitous elements used in music. But why does fire work so well as a lyrical theme and metaphor? There are several reasons:

• Intensity. Fire conjures visions of flames erupting, blazing, and burning at full force. Using it in lyrics evokes passion and energy. The unrestrained nature of fire mirrors the heights of human emotion.

• Romance. Fire is strongly linked to themes of romance, sex, and desire across many genres of music. Saying someone “lights your fire” captures the arousal and electrifying sensations of attraction and love. Songwriters tap into this fiery dynamic to sing about affairs of the heart.
• Spirit. Fire can represent confidence, defiance, soul, and a burning spirit within someone. Many empowering songs invoke fire to describe an iron will or internal blaze that can’t be extinguished. It fuels self-belief and overcoming the odds when the flames inside you rage on.
• Transformation. A flame’s ability to burn, incinerate, and transform its fuel source means it often signifies rebirth or destroying the old. Fire clears the path for growth and reinvention out of the ashes. For songs about moving forward, shifting identities, or destroying the past, fire provides the perfect social imagery.
• Elemental Force. As one of the basic elements, fire lends itself well to songs with primal, survivalist themes. It can represent raw human desires, impulses, or skills honed over the eons. Many classic rock songs portray fire as an ancient, almost supernatural force of nature that lives within us.
• Religious Symbolism. Fire holds importance across many faiths and belief systems as a sacred symbol. It takes on mythic proportions whether it’s the flames of hell or the tongues of fire representing Pentecostal spirituality. Hymns and spiritual songs lean on these established metaphors.

Whatever the specific context, fire remains one of the most adaptable and resonant symbols for songwriters. It provides the spark of inspiration to ignite lyrics in virtually every musical style. As long as hearts burn with passion and the human spirit blazes, fire will continue influencing popular music.

Notable Performers Known for Their Fiery Songs

Certain acts have embraced fire-related themes more frequently and fully throughout their careers. Here are some notable perpetrators of musical pyromania over the decades:

The Doors – Frontman Jim Morrison fixated on fire as a poetic device. Hits like “Light My Fire” and “Come on, Baby, Light My Fire” seared Morrison’s dark, mystical allure into rock history.

Johnny Cash – Between “Ring of Fire” and “Fire on the Mountain,” Cash proved his flair for flames applied to love songs and Biblical topics alike.

Kiss – These glam/hard rock icons sang “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” and many other scorchers. Their comic book personas, explosive shows, and pyrotechnics defined 70s excess.

Prince – The Purple One made passion, sensuality, and sexual fire into an art form with provocative classics like “When You Were Mine,” “Erotic City,” and more.

U2 – Bono and company lit up stadiums and the charts throughout the 80s/90s with spiritual anthems like “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Bruce Springsteen – The Boss captured working class romanticism and defiance with fiery hits like “I’m On Fire,” “Streets of Fire,” and “Blinded by the Light.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Anthony Kiedis’ raw rock energy helped make the Chili Peppers’ brand of “fire hose funk” iconic from songs like “Give It Away” to “Suck My Kiss.”

Adele – The British singer’s titanic voice and vulnerable lyrics ensure each relationship examined in her songs burns with intensity.

Taylor Swift – Swift moves deftly between emotional vulnerability (“I Knew You Were Trouble”) and scorching independence (“Picture to Burn”) when channeling fire in her lyrics.

Firestarters like these demonstrate how the blazing elemental theme suits almost any musical style or persona when handled with creativity.

5 Notable Uses of Fire in 80s Music Videos

Beyond lyrics, fire imagery commonly popped up in 80s music videos to reinforce the themes of songs visually. Here are 5 notable instances of flames appearing prominently:

Michael Jackson – “Beat It” – Jackson engulfed an abandoned warehouse in flames for the video’s menacing dance number between rival gangs. The fire set an urgent tempo and raised the dramatic stakes.

Guns N’ Roses – “Patience” – A tiny candle flame flickering in the darkness opens this power ballad video before transitioning into glittering sunset scenes. The candle represented the “little patience” needed to keep love’s fire going.

Poison – “Fallen Angel” – Set in a dingy back alley, this glam metal spectacle sees flames shoot up behind singer Bret Michaels during the video’s climactic chorus. The fire symbolized the dark, fallen angel subject of the lyrics.

Queen – “Hammer to Fall” – Freddie Mercury lights a match closeup to the camera which triggers explosive flashes illuminating him singing against a black background. The pyrotechnics embodied the song’s bold, fiery message.

Duran Duran – “Wild Boys” – Duran Duran incorporated roaring bonfires on the beach amidst their post-apocalyptic imagery. The fires evoked the primal, uncivilized title figures of the song.

Music videos provided the perfect visual canvas for literal fiery special effects and more subtle flame imagery. 80s artists knew how to harness the element’s spectacle and symbolism for maximum impact.

FAQs

What 80s song with fire in the lyrics spent the longest time at #1?

The tender ballad “The Flame” by Cheap Trick topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 1988, giving it the longest-running #1 fire song of the 80s.

Which flamboyant frontman was a standout for incorporating fire themes?

Freddie Mercury of Queen routinely delivered larger-than-life showmanship and vocals on blazing anthems like “We Will Rock You” and “Play the Game.”

What artist first recorded the song “Ring of Fire” before Johnny Cash made it famous?

Cash’s future wife June Carter Cash co-wrote the song and first recorded it with her family as Anita Carter in 1962. Cash’s iconic cover came out a year later.

What movie featured two #1 hits in 1987 related to fire?

“Shakedown” by Bob Seger and “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler both topped the 1987 charts after appearing on the Footloose soundtrack.

Which British band claimed “Relight My Fire” as their first UK #1 hit single?

Take That collaborated with Lulu on a 1993 cover of the Dan Hartman disco classic to earn their first chart-topper in their home country.

Conclusion

The 80s will be remembered for its distinctive pop culture trends. But beneath the eye-catching fashions, synthesizers, and big hair were songs that spoke to timeless themes like romance, empowerment, spirituality, and living life to its fullest. Fire provided the perfect metaphorical spark for powerhouse vocalists to capture those passions blazing within us all. Exploring the timeless allure of classical music online allows one to immerse in the elemental language of musical masterpieces, transcending genres and eras to captivate and resonate with listeners on a profound level.