Build A Fire

Album: It's About Time (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Build a Fire" is about Patty Smyth's 25-year relationship with tennis legend John McEnroe. She told Spin that their relationship was still strong. "The deeper you go with somebody the deeper your fire can get."
  • Before this song (and the rest of It's About Time), Smyth, who fronted the band Scandal, hadn't released a solo album since before getting together with McEnroe. It had been 28 years.

    Her last solo release was in 1992, with Patty Smyth, which featured her hit duet with Don Henley, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough."
  • Smyth told American Songwriter that "Build a Fire" was "an older song." It had started with a different title, and she wrote it with two Nashville songwriters, but didn't specify who they were.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.