1001 Songs Challenge #971: Sex on Fire (2008)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire (2008)

 

 

We’re remaining in the US today, dear reader, but moving on from Connecticut and stopping over in Nashville, Tennessee. Kings of Leon were formed in 1999 and are made up of three brothers – Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill – as well as their cousin, Matthew Followill. Very much a family affair then. We join the quartet in 2008 with the release of their fourth album, Only by the Night, and from there 1001 Songs have got all hot under the collar and selected Sex on Fire. 

Sex on Fire was not the original intended title for the song but came about when the phrase “Set us on fire” was misheard as “Sex on fire” and the title stuck. The song itself is all about sex and, in particular, the most satisfying, passionate and fulfilling relationship that the narrator has ever had. They come together (oh behave!) in a variety of places such as alleyways and in their car to sate their lust and why not? Though the title was not as originally intended, it has been interpreted as one’s genitals being on fire. Comedian Michael McIntyre once addressed this song’s title and correctly pointed out how concerning a literal representation would be! 

Sex on Fire opens with a great guitar riff that really sets the scene and the song never lets up for the remaining three minutes or so. Going through the lyrics in more depth, there is no doubt of its sexual nature but it is a celebration for those of us lucky enough to have truly amazing sex that we never want to end, unless a fire starts of course. Only by the Night led to commercial success for Kings of Leon and Sex on Fire would top the charts in multiple charts including the UK. The group now have eight albums to their name but this remains their peak moment.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)

Snow Patrol – Run