fireplace

National Vinyl Record Day: songs about fire

While vinyl records have been mostly supplanted by CDs and now downloads, many people are still devoted to the discs. And it’s not just folks old enough to remember when a long-playing record was a novelty. Some young musicians are so captivated by records that they release their music in this format.

Some of the world’s biggest enthusiasts have proclaimed August 12 National Vinyl Record Day. The date’s significance? August 12, 1877 was the official date when Thomas Alva Edison finished making his first phonograph. According to its mission statement, the nonprofit behind VRD established it to promote enjoyment of music, preservation of the cultural influences of both the music and cover art, and education on best practices for preserving vinyl records. They also want to stimulate consumer demand.

We salute these disc-loving musicians. Here at Old World Stoneworks, our favorite songs are about fireplaces and fires. Here are some of our top picks to listen to on National Vinyl Record Day.

“Great Balls of Fire,” Jerry Lee Lewis 1957

You’ll probably want to push back your rug and dance in front of your fireplace when you put this raucous single on your record player.

Play along with Jerry Lee on the piano while enjoying our Capri mantel:

capri mantel

“Ring of Fire” Anita Carter 1962

We all know the Johnny Cash version. But did you know “Ring of Fire” was written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore, and first recorded by Anita Carter, June’s sister? It’s on her 1963 Mercury Records album Folk Songs Old and New.

“Fire,” Jimi Hendrix, 1967

One story goes that Jimi Hendrix was vying with a friend’s dog for a space in front of the fireplace when inspiration for this song struck. We, too, find fireplaces very inspiring.

“Light My Fire,” Doors, 1967

Rumor has it that Doors guitarist Robby Krieger was relighting his pilot light when he was inspired to write this song. Just kidding. It has more to do with the Lizard King’s passionate feelings.

“Burning Love,” Elvis Presley 1972

“Burning Love” was the King’s last top 10 hit, and his biggest single in the US since “Suspicious Minds” in 1969.

A perfect dance floor in front of our Calais mantel:

calais mantel

“The Fire Down Below,” Bob Seger, 1976

Bob Seger warms our hearts with his love for fire. For VRD, listen to his songs “Fire Down Below” and “Fire Lake,” or his album Fire Inside.

“Burnin’ For You” Blue Oyster Cult, 1981

This rock song hit number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart and spent three weeks in the Top 40. The album? Fire of Unknown Origin.

“I’m on Fire,” Bruce Springsteen, 1984

The Boss and his band wrote this hit song together while fooling around at the beginning of their Born in the U.S.A. recording sessions. Fans will note it’s one of the band’s first use of synthesizers, which were mighty popular in the 1980s.

“Fireplace,” R.E.M. 1987

Band frontman Michael Stipe claims that fire is the central theme of this entire album.

“Building a Fire” James, 1994

This Manchester, England-based indie rock group formed in 1982, but reached wider success in the ‘90s. “Building a Fire” is on Wah Wah, the band’s sixth full-length release, which was produced by the famous Brian Eno. We salute any song about responsible fire building.

 “Girl on Fire” Alicia Keys, 2013

While fans have paid for more than four million downloads of this song, VRD celebrants will be thrilled to know that you can buy this recording on vinyl.

Now, we hope you’ll be inspired both to listen to vinyl records and give your fireplace some TLC. If that involves a shiny new mantel, give us a call! We’ll turn down the music long enough to answer all your mantel questions.