“Fire on Fire” by Sam Smith

“Fire on Fire” is a song of uninhibited love and passion. In this song, singer Sam Smith admits that the strong amount of emotional energy they are referencing in the track could be potentially dangerous. However, they feel that the special connection shared between they and their partner makes the relationship successful.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Sam Smith's Fire on Fire at Lyrics.org.

During this song, Smith expresses that some people are looking down, from a moral standpoint, on this relationship, referring to he and his partner as “sinners”. This may allude to the fact that the singer is openly-gay, which has resulted in him receiving negative, religious-based criticism in the past. As such, it is very much possible that in the song, Smith is addressing another male, though there is not any mention of the gender of this other person.

Fire on Fire lyrics

Facts about “Fire on Fire”

  • This is the theme song for the 2018 animated mini-series by the BBC in collaboration with Netflix called Watership Down. As such, the song is featured on the film’s soundtrack.
  • This song was written by Sam Smith and the song’s producer, Steve Mac.
  • Smith recorded this track in September of 2018 at Abbey Road Studios in London.
  • The BBC Concert Orchestra provided instrumentals for the track.
  • The official music video for this tune was published on YouTube on 20 December 2018.
  • In announcing the release of the song on Twitter, Sam Smith expressed how highly honored they felt to be part of the Watership Down project. They referred to the film’s story as a “powerful and timeless” one. They ended his statement by telling the world how thrilled he was to write a song for the miniseries.
  • “Fire on Fire” was Smith’s fourth single of 2018 (as lead artist). The song came on the heels of their hit collaboration with Calvin Harris titled “Promises“.

What was the release date of “Fire on Fire”?

It came out on December 21, 2018.

What is the miniseries Watership Down about?

The plot of this series is based on the 1972 adventure novel of the same title by English author Richard Adams. The story is about a group of rabbits and their fight to survive.

51 Responses

  1. Joe says:

    Doesn’t take a genius or even an idiot to see it’s about him being gay. Songs title says it all Fire on fire , not fire on wood or water on fire..man on man

    • Paulina says:

      Thats not necessarily true i managed to interpret the chorus and had come to a conclusion that it could hold meaning of 2 people with firery personalities that are constantly at war because of the type of people they are and people like that arent necessarily good because therefore the line “were normally killers” however the amount of love the 2 people hold is enough for them to get past all the arguments which would be “with this much desire, together were winners” and they bring the best out of the other person at the same time as bringing out the worse. Normally people like that wouldnt be paired up because it can cause a lot of commotion and people would say they are “out of control” but in the end those 2 people know how to deal with each other and block out those who are against their decision, “but dont let them ruin our beautiful rhythms”

      • Aithepathy says:

        precisely

        • Karen Walton says:

          Yeah I wouldn’t necessarily think the song is about specifically being gay. Though, parts of the song may reference experience or feelings associated with being in a gay relationship. I think it’s more about two people together, probably also gay, who happen to be passionately “firey” people. Their fire for one another and life’s pursuits in general causes their relationship to experience intense highs and lows. But what he’s saying is that, in a relationship like this, where both people are so intense, it usually doesn’t work. But it does work for them bc their desire/passion/fire for each other is so strong that they can deal with all the rest that comes with it. It’s wonderful , I think, to experience such a relationship. Dramatic, probably, but beautiful, to want someone and be wanted by someone SO much with such ferocity!

        • Anonymous. says:

          There’s a lot in the lyrics. Two partners in love,but are criticized by people. Yet they don’t care” this much desire, together we’re winners”🥺 love you Sam Frederick Smith 🥺💜🥀

      • Ahndi says:

        @Paulina there is no line “We’re normally killers” – the line is literally “Fire on fire would normally kill us…” – The song is very clearly about him being gay. “They say we’re out of control and some say we’re sinners” – this song is literally about two gay men standing fast in their love for one another despite society being stacked against them.

        • Karen Walton says:

          Yes, andhi is right. The line is “fire on fire would normally kill us.” Again, I don’t think that line is specifically referencing being gay or in a gay relationship. I think it’s more to do with the two people’s personalities. However, I do think the couple that the song is about is very clearly a gay relationship. I just don’t think their sexuality is the main point, it’s just an extra aspect brought to light when he’s describing the judgments they receive from others about their relationship. Specifically, when they’re told they’re “sinners.” Obviously the man who wrote the song is openly gay. So, if he’s going to write about his experience in love and relationships, it’ll be from his unique perspective. In his case, that’s a relationship between two men. But other than the line about being told they’re sinners, I feel like the rest of the song could apply easily to any tumultuous relationship where both partners are deeply intense and passionate people (and also deeply passionate about/towards each other!)

          • Karen Walton says:

            I’m so sorry. *Ahndi* I apologise for misspelling your name, despite the fact it was CLEARLY written right there for me to copy. 🤦 I’m a dummy.

        • Anonymous says:

          Thank you.

        • Anonymous says:

          When people use “literally” wrongly, it gives me headaches🥱

      • kevin says:

        In a way yes. But i haven’t seen you interpreting about “some say we’re sinners”

      • Anonymous says:

        but some in the song he says “some say were out of control, and some say we’re sinners” and the bible says through most of it that it is a sin to be gay so i would understand it being taken as a gay song

        • A says:

          The Bible also says fornication is a sin…. so two people who are passionate about their relationship and having a sexual relationship… would also be called sinners… not “just” gay relationships.

        • Anonymous says:

          There are so many things the bible refer to as “sin”. Most of these comments are borne out of prejudice.

      • Anonymous says:

        Well I mean it says “some say we’re sinners” and no one else is really called sinners except for LGBTQ+ people (or at least we get called it the most).

      • Anonymous says:

        I completely agree. Even knowing he’s gay, when i hear this song i hear a story about two people with a strong passionate relationship that others look down on. I actually interpreted it as maybe even young love since it talks about wild emotions and other disapproving.

    • Unknown says:

      The song is about him being gay and society having a problem with it. He literally said fire on fire, which can be interpreted as man and man. Also he said that some say we’re sinners, which is a common reference for gay people. He further went on to say when you unfold me, and tell me you love me.. he’s basically saying that their love can conquer all despite the fact that they’re gay and society hates them for it.

  2. Evelyn says:

    Really quick, Sam Smith’s pronouns are actually they/them. They are nonbinary.

  3. Hayden Nieass says:

    First, what’s wrong with him being gay and also the line ‘we fight like lions’ proves that it is about being gay because lions is a male term.

  4. Wow says:

    Wowowowowwwowoowowowwwwowowowowowowwo

  5. Gift Muyunda says:

    After listening to the song for about ten times, I had questions about the line ‘they say we’re out of control and some say we’re sinners’ I asked myself why he wrote that, How can two people in genuine love be called sinners? Unless something somewhere is wrong. I got the unswer to all of this when my friend told me that the guy is gay. The meaning of fire on fire is man on man

  6. Fuad oyedeji says:

    I have no problem wit dis song

  7. Martins Jasper Jnr says:

    To My Own Point Of View. Maybe It Extra Marriage Affairs He Meant the Word “Don’t Let Them Ruin Our Beautiful Rhythm” and “Some Say We’re Sinners” cause It’s A Sin To Have An Affair With A married Partner

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s ‘Rythms’ , not ‘rythm’ , sorry to be rude or anything.

      • Just some guy without a moustache says:

        Well. I mean. He’s gender non binary just so you know. Also just because it’s called “fire on fire” doesn’t necessarily mean he’s gay

  8. Sally says:

    Gay, straight, or whatever, this song is still amazing as hell.

  9. ChristinaNdakasha says:

    I am addicted to this song it calms me down makes me forget all the bad things in the world!!! The melody the words the instruments everything is just in sync

  10. Gracious says:

    In love with this song🔥🔥it helps me calm down.I don’t get why people are so judgemental about gay or lesbian lovers… after all love is love

    • tray 300 says:

      yes, no matter what type of love. love is love being gay does not change the fact that they fell in love just like a straight person in love with a girl it’s just another guy falling for the same gender. So what’s the problem with that?

  11. kinesthetics says:

    Its a beautiful song . Does it really matter who loves who. Either way its all fine .Everyone has their own preference who are we to judge as long as we get some great music.!

  12. Anonymous says:

    I wonder who they wrote it for.

  13. Anonymous says:

    I liked this song till I got to know the meaning of every little detail. I don’t support gay stuff so that makes me not like the song anymore
    Sorry for being judgemental though.

  14. Anonymous says:

    This song is amazing, and the first couple of times I listened to it, it made me think of two gay lovers. Again, I love the song, and LOVE IS LOVE. ❤️‍🔥

  15. Anonymous says:

    I don’t care if the song is about being gay or what. And even if it is, i don’t have any problem with that. LOVE should be celebrated in all forms. And i am totally in love with this song.

  16. C.al says:

    I love this song. because it doesn’t explain gender and not really shows its meaning in the song.
    because it is used for theme song too. this can also be interpreted that we are “fire” which is not inferior to “fire” as well. we can survive

  17. gift says:

    it doesn’t matter for being gay everyone has its sexual orientation so let them enjoy their feelings and if you find any problem on this i think its better to skip it without aword.
    sorrie and this doesn’t mean i’m also fire on fire

  18. Midas says:

    The song is about him being gay. It’s art and it is genius how he played it in. I’m trying not to be pissed at those misinterpreting. I take it they are not art oriented so I’ll let it slide.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I love the song

  20. Anonymous says:

    It is normal to have love among family members, between friends, but no matter how many billions believe, it is not normal to be sexual love.

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