“Heat Above” by Greta Van Fleet
Greta Van Fleet are sort of like early 21st century hippies. For instance, the music video to this song (“Heat Above”) was inspired by what has been referred to as “a ‘70s glam aesthetic”. And if you want to try to decipher the band’s “surreal” explanation behind the meaning of this track, then it’s up to you to interpret what “the cult of Heaven” and other related, shall we say encrypted terminology actually means.
But luckily bass guitarist Sam Kiszka, who seems to be the most-vocal member of the group, gave what is for the most part a more-simple explanation.
And the way he put it is, fundamentally this song is symbolic of the group’s belief in love, even at a time when the world may appear lacking in such.
Then he mentions something about “rising to the stars together”, which is again enter-at-your-own-risk territory, which we’ll get more into later.
Lyrics of “Heat Above”
Indeed we’re feeling you, Greta Van Fleet. The group is utilizing such colorful metaphors to get a point across. For instance, it can be argued that in the first verse yes, they see the current state of society as being hateful, if you will.
But an opportunity also lies therein. For it is in such a setting where one can learn “what life is worth”. Or put otherwise, the ultimate challenge to our human existence is something like being able to love one another even when times are trying.
Then the second and third verses feature the singer presenting himself and likeminded individuals as being soldiers in a fight. However, they are not engaged in a “war”.
Instead they are “a peaceful army” who are endeavoring to spread love and what have you. And again, that is definitely reminiscent of hippyism.
Meaning of the Title (“Heat Above”)
Meanwhile concerning the title of this song, the word “fire” is mentioned in the chorus. Within the context of the rest of the passage, “fire” reads like a metaphor for something “dreadful”.
The said “fire” may not be related to the title though. Rather the “heat above”, as mentioned in the pre-chorus, is something which is also associated with the singer’s “love”.
And it is also connected to the idea of “ascending to the stars as one”, which reads like an allusion to some sort of nirvanic existence between people – the cult of Heaven, if you will.
Or perhaps what the singer is saying is that just as pervasive as negativity, i.e. the aforementioned “fire”, may be, so is his love. Like the two of them are intermingled, which is why the love is also “rising with the heat above”. But the first explanation in the previous paragraph is probably more plausible.
Either way, there are two main points that come through on this song. One is the band acknowledging that the world is kinda messed up. But more importantly is that they themselves, despite the current trend, have contrarily decided to embrace love.
Peaceful Army
Concerning the “peaceful army” mentioned in this song, it should be noted that Greta Van Fleet’s debut full-length album was entitled “Anthem of the Peaceful Army” (2018). That particular project reached number 3 in the US and number 12 in the UK, in addition to being certified gold in Canada, where it peaked at number 2 on the Canadian Albums Chart.
Heat Above
Meanwhile “Heat Above” is from the band’s second full-length, “The Battle at Garden’s Gate”. It is yet to be released as of the issuance of this song, which took place on 10 February 2021.
The reason this song came out prior is because it is one of the project’s singles, as deemed by Lava Records and Republic Records. And the two singles from Garden’s Gate that came out before it, both in 2020, are “My Way, Soon” and “Age of Machine”.
And “My Way, Soon” has performed the best out of the three so far, scoring a number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
On March 19th, 2021, the band released a fourth single from the album titled “Broken Bells“. It too performed very well around the globe.
Greta Van Fleet
Besides Sam Kiszka, Greta Van Fleet, as of this track’s release, consists of his older twin brothers Jack and Josh Kiszka and drummer Danny Wagner. Josh is the lead singer, and Jake is the main guitarist.
And the entire crew is from an inconspicuous part of Michigan known as Frankenmuth.
The reprise at the end of Heat Above gives hope. I CAN feel the love.
So much meaning to this song. I love it so much
Honestly thought it was about saving the planet from global warming and self destruction.
I pictured it as a stance against to current state of Americas military industrial complex. “…Fight for those who do so” I took as trying to stop the wars killing those fighting within it
great song Thankyou!!
you wrote twins jack and josh and then referred to jack as jake
Hello, thanks for spotting that slip and bringing it to our attention. It has been swiftly corrected (:
I took it as an anthem about unconditional love, especially that of the Peaceful Army. I feel like the hope that is portrayed in this song really displays what GVF and the Peaceful Army are all about. It’s beautiful.
This is a pure song. The rock and roll Gods have touched these men to deliver to us a beautiful anthem.
We are blessed to be here to listen and absorb it’s meaning.
Mind blowing, the message of peace, god, love, and triumph over evil, lets ascend to the stars as one! These guys have tapped into universal gold, and my ears ,head , heart and spirit are alive again!
Southern yodeling love it!
This is the song my fiancé and I are using as our “first dance” song. To me, it’s more about how the song makes you feel. I’ve listened to it 1000x and still get goosebumps. To feel what this song makes you feel and to be dancing with the one you love, that’s a priceless moment.