The song gave Kings of Leon their first number-one single in Australia, Finland, Ireland and United Kingdom, charting at the top-spot in the UK Singles Chart on digital downloads alone, before its physical release. It has also gained significant popularity in the United States, reaching #1 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and #56 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their second highest charting song in their homeland on the former chart. Along with all of these achievements, in 2008, the song earned the band their first Grammy nominations. The song was nominated for Best Rock Song, and won the award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
In addition, the album earned a nomination for Best Rock Album. Channel V Australia named the song as the 3rd biggest hit of 2008. It was voted #1 in Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 2008. By September 6, 2009, the single had sold 747,713 copies. Following the success of the follow-up single "Use Somebody" in the United States on pop radio, the track was re-serviced to U.S. pop radio in November.
Remixes of both songs were used for the runway soundtrack in the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Sex On Fire
Kings of Leon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't make a sound
I know they're watching
Watching
All the commotion
The kiddie like play
It has people talking
You
Your sex is on fire
The dark of the alley
The breaking of day
Head while I'm driving
I'm driving
Soft lips are open
Them knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying
You're dying
You
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's to transpire
Hot as a fever
Rattle of bones
I could just taste it
Taste it
If it's not forever
But there's just tonight
Oh we're still the greatest
The greatest
The greatest
You
Your sex is on fire
You
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's to transpire
And you
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's to transpire
The lyrics to Kings of Leonβs βSex on Fireβ depict a lustful encounter between lovers, with a focus on their sexual chemistry. The song opens with the singer urging their partner to remain quiet, as they are aware that they are being watched. This creates an atmosphere of secrecy and danger, suggesting that the loversβ passion is forbidden or taboo in some way. The second verse describes the physical sensations they experience as they engage in sexual activity, with the line βFeels like youβre dyingβ suggesting that the pleasure is almost unbearable.
The chorus repeats the statement βyour sex is on fire,β emphasizing the intense desire and attraction between the lovers. The lyrics suggest that they are completely consumed by their passion, and that they are willing to take risks or ignore long-term consequences in order to indulge in the moment. Despite this, there is a sense of inevitability to their connection, with the line βif itβs not forever, but thereβs just tonightβ suggesting that the singer knows that their relationship may not be sustainable.
Overall, βSex on Fireβ is a sensuous and intense song that reflects the physical and emotional intensity of a sexual encounter. Through its lyrics, it explores the thrill of forbidden desire, the intensity of physical pleasure, and the fleeting nature of human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay where you're laying
Stay in your current position or situation
Don't make a sound
Remain silent
I know they're watching
I am aware that others are observing us
All the commotion
The chaos and noise around us
The kiddie like play
The immature behavior of others
It has people talking
It has generated discussion and gossip
You
Referring to the person being addressed
Your sex is on fire
You have an intense sexual desire
The dark of the alley
The shadowy area of the street
The breaking of day
The beginning of dawn
Head while I'm driving
My mind is focused on you while I am driving
I'm driving
I am operating a vehicle
Soft lips are open
Your mouth is open and inviting
Them knuckles are pale
Your hands are clenched and your knuckles are white
Feels like you're dying
You are experiencing intense pleasure or pain
You
Referring to the person being addressed
Your sex is on fire
You have an intense sexual desire
Consumed
You are fully experiencing and controlled by
With what's to transpire
With what is about to happen
Hot as a fever
Intense and passionate
Rattle of bones
The sound of bodies moving and shaking
I could just taste it
I am eagerly anticipating the pleasure to come
If it's not forever
If this is not a forever commitment
But there's just tonight
But we only have this one opportunity
Oh we're still the greatest
We are still the best together
You
Referring to the person being addressed
Your sex is on fire
You have an intense sexual desire
Consumed
You are fully experiencing and controlled by
With what's to transpire
With what is about to happen
And you
Referring to the person being addressed
Your sex is on fire
You have an intense sexual desire
Consumed
You are fully experiencing and controlled by
With what's to transpire
With what is about to happen
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill, Caleb Followill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1dforever952
Lyrics
Lay where you're laying
Don't make a sound
I know they're watching
They're watching
All the commotion
The kiddie-like play
Has people talking
They're talking
You
Your sex is on fire
The dark of the alley
The breaking of day
Head while I'm driving
I'm driving
Soft lips are open
Them knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying
You're dying
You
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's just transpired
Hot as a fever
Rattling bones
I could just taste it
Chased it
But it's not forever
But it's just tonight
Oh, we're still the greatest
The greatest
The greatest
And you
Your sex is on fire
You
Your sex is on fire, ah, ah
Consumed
With what's just transpired
And you
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's just transpired
@dana2862
Lay where you're laying
Don't make a sound
I know they're watching
They're watching
All the commotion
The kiddie-like play
Has people talking
They're talking
You
Your sex is on fire
The dark of the alley
The breaking of day
Head while I'm driving
I'm driving
Soft lips are open
Them knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying
You're dying
You
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's just transpired
Hot as a fever
Rattling bones
I could just taste it
Chased it
But it's not forever
But it's just tonight
Oh, we're still the greatest
The greatest
The greatest
And you
Your sex is on fire
You
Your sex is on fire, ah, ah
Consumed
With what's just transpired
And you
Your sex is on fire
Consumed
With what's just transpired
@blxssinggb2158
Letβs be honest this wasnβt recommended, we all searched for it
@jacobsaunders1092
Nah I got it recommended lol, don't generalise!!
@intensacidstabz7167
Ha Youβre wrong
@nikthinks
I searched
@ICEMAN_GLX
Actually... lol
@wowBritneyfears
Definitely searched ππ
@geraldchristianluna8077
Youβre in a nostalgic marathon of great songs, arenβt you?
@TonyEnglandUK
From here to Muse to Red Hot Chili Peppers
@leonardparkes3249
How tf u know
@detarso
Absolutlely right!