Set it on Fire: Alexis' Burning Tracks

Maybe I'm just in love with fire, but it never fails - if there's speak of flames in a song, I'm hooked. From Garth Brooks to Slipknot, I wait for the fire at each concert. Whether it's the club, a bonfire, or just me in my bedroom jammin' out, most of the artists I enjoy sing about fire, or at least mention it, once or twice.

With Fun.'s upbeat attitude, this march can literally make you believe in yourself. The first time listened to these words, I was enchanted by the fact that the confidence showed in this song was compared to setting the world on fire. "We are Young" became an anthem for my friends and I, from that moment forward.

Though the subject matter of this song is suicide, the feelings here are true. As disturbing as Disturbed can be, they hit this one with perfect accuracy. The anger, betrayal, despair - it's all wrapped up in a package of flames. Also, it's amazing hearing how someone's experience with suicide can inspire them to reach out and help others. Songs like this are golden fire.

When Kenny uses his gas and flames, he's setting the world on fire with love. In this situation, there's nothing but good vibes as kindle for the flames between them. Besides the fact that fire is literally in the title, this track takes two of my favorite people and makes them explode into an almost perfect feeling.

This song is almost the definition of some of my closest, deepest friendships. "Crash and Burn" could be the soundtrack to the reason I made friends. Everyone needs someone that will let them fall apart when they need to. Savage Garden is no stranger to the feeling and they gave us this song for the moments you need a person to lean on.

In my search for fire in music, I found this little gem from Gavin DeGraw. I must admit the song was a new one to me, but I instantly fell in love with it. Gavin's an old favorite, and here is where he turns confidence into a riot that sets us all on fire. I was excited to find a song I hadn't heard, it was just a happy bonus that it was this one.

The idea of setting fire to the rain never occurred to me before Adele said it. There is no better description of love that is completely broken than this, in my opinion. I actually wasn't even a fan of Adele before she released "Set Fire to the Rain" - and it took time to grow on me. In an almost-religious experience, I understood why everyone loves her so much.

Maybe you don't consider radioactivity to be a fire reference, but I do. Here, with Imagine Dragons, you can feel the danger that lurks in their lyrics. It seems to me that they're talking about the radioactivity of what they call the "New Age". They're still ready to rock, and despite the fact that they don't say much - I heard them and it spoke volumes.

Toxic relationship always end up in flames... Not usually with someone tied to the bed, but Eminem always has had his own way of relating to life. Of all the artists Eminem has featured in his music, Rihanna will always be my favorite. She adds just the right amount of something to Eminem's rhyme.

Shinedown uses their lonely flame as a cry for help. We all know what he's doing with the candle and the spoon, but what becomes apparent is that he wants to be saved from his life of pills. With his last plea, he asks, "Please don't erase me..." and then the song is over. I've always loved this song. For me, it's always been a reminder that no matter how bad I screwed up - I wasn't where he was.

Hatebreed references to fire in their music more often than others, but "In Ashes They Shall Reap" takes it to a whole new level. Hatebreed tells us exactly how they feel about corruption of the human race, always, but this one makes their hatred almost visible to me. When it comes to metal, Hatebreed and I go way back... maybe not as far back as some, though.