The World Is On Fire

Album: Furnaces (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sparse track is a warning about the threat that humanity poses to the Earth. Ed Harcourt told The Quietus about the apocalyptic song.

    "We don't own this goddamn world. We are the ultimate arrogant species and we seem to be losing in a pointless battle against Mother Nature. Hey! Let's destroy everything that gets in our way for the sake of comfort! We will always lose and we are losing now unless we stop being so f---ing ignorant. There are animals that have more style and grace than many humans yet we use phrases like 'pig-headed' or 'dog-eared'. She's a bitch. You're a cow. YOU DIRTY RAT! YOU LYIN' SNAKE! We're the worst of the lot!

    We have pillaged, plundered and ransacked this earth, stripping it of its natural resources. There is much beauty to be experienced and enjoyed whilst we're alive and we are destroying our future for our descendants.

    I feel angry at the sheer repugnant disrespect some people have for each other, the celebration of narcissism, the lack of empathy running in correlation with our immersion in unnecessary technology, that somehow cutting yourself off from other people is progression. We are losing touch with reality and we are becoming desensitised to suffering.

    So... this song is that we are basically insignificant. Perhaps we can only survive if we realise this. Otherwise you might as well throw yourself into the flames love."
  • The song features percussive thumping from Warpaint drummer Stella Mongawa.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.