Heaven's On Fire
The Radio Dept. Lyrics


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When I look at you, heaven's on fire
I wish I didn't know you better, but it's pointless
One look at you, and heaven's on fire

When I look at you, I reach for a piano wire
Fighting to keep it together, but it's pointless
One look at you and heaven's on fire,
Heaven's on fire

It seems like everyone is on your side
We're outnumbered by those who take no pride
In constantly moving against the tide
Charlatans just out of reach and out of time

I'm a little like you,
Ugly on the inside
But while I dive into the gritty
You just stand by
When I look at you
Heaven's on fire
Heaven's on fire

It seems like everyone is on your side
We're outnumbered by those who take no pride




In constantly moving against the tide
Charlatans just out of reach and out of time"

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of “Heaven’s On Fire,” The Radio Dept. singer sings about looking at someone who is so beautiful that it feels like heaven is on fire. This person is someone with whom the singer has developed feelings for or someone for whom those feelings may have already existed but were buried deep within. Having such strong emotions towards someone can result in wanting to express those thoughts and feelings through music. The line, “When I look at you, I reach for a piano wire,” can be interpreted as the desire to create something beautiful to express those feelings.


Continuing on, we see the internal struggle that the singer is experiencing due to their feelings towards the person they are singing about. The lyrics, “Fighting to keep it together, but it’s pointless,” suggests that the singer is struggling to contain their emotions and is feeling overwhelmed. The following lyrics, “I’m a little like you, Ugly on the inside,” contrasts the beauty and radiance of the person he’s singing about, giving us a deeper insight into the emotions he’s grappling with. The singer feels like he is just as flawed inside, but unlike the person he’s singing about, he’s not able to present himself as anything more than what he is.


The lines, “It seems like everyone is on your side / We’re outnumbered by those who take no pride / In constantly moving against the tide / Charlatans just out of reach and out of time” suggest that the person the singer is singing about is incredibly popular and surrounded by many people who support them. However, it also suggests that some of these people may not be genuine and may be following the person for their own selfish reasons. The use of the metaphor of “moving against the tide” suggests that the singer feels like he’s swimming against the current in his own life when compared to this person.


Line by Line Meaning

When I look at you, heaven's on fire
You make me feel an intense passion that ignites every part of me


I wish I didn't know you better, but it's pointless
I regret knowing you so well because it only intensifies my feelings, but there's nothing I can do about it


One look at you, and heaven's on fire
Just one glance at you is enough to set my soul ablaze with desire


When I look at you, I reach for a piano wire
Your presence makes me feel so overwhelmed that I feel like I need to snap, like a piano wire under tension


Fighting to keep it together, but it's pointless
I'm struggling to maintain my composure, but it feels like a futile effort


Heaven's on fire
The intensity of my feelings for you is overwhelming and all-consuming


It seems like everyone is on your side
You have a lot of supporters and it feels like the world is against me for feeling this way about you


We're outnumbered by those who take no pride
People who lack integrity and morals seem to be more abundant than those who uphold them


In constantly moving against the tide
It feels like an uphill battle to fight against the status quo and social norms


Charlatans just out of reach and out of time
People who deceive and manipulate others are always present, but their time to be exposed and brought to justice will come


I'm a little like you, ugly on the inside
I see myself in you, flawed and imperfect even in my thoughts and desires


But while I dive into the gritty, you just stand by
I am willing to explore the darker side of love and passion, while you seem content with just observing from a distance




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Desmond Child, Paul Stanley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gbrs6280

When I look at you, heaven's on fire
I wish I didn't know you better, but it's pointless
One look at you, and heaven's on fire

When I look at you, I reach for a piano wire
Fighting to keep it together, but it's pointless
One look at you and heaven's on fire,
Heaven's on fire

It seems like everyone is on your side
We're outnumbered by those who take no pride
In constantly moving against the tide
Charlatans just out of reach and out of time

I'm a little like you,
Ugly on the inside
But while I dive into the gritty
You just stand by
When I look at you
Heaven's on fire
Heaven's on fire

It seems like everyone is on your side
We're outnumbered by those who take no pride
In constantly moving against the tide
Charlatans just out of reach and out of time"



All comments from YouTube:

@chegeny

One of those songs that violently throw you back to some mythic past when everything was possible.

@DAISYDAYZz

My friend, anything is still possible. Just gotta look

@CollinsHD

Randomly remembered this gem. Timeless.

@vermaledeit1799

Calum Collins same😊🤗

@rrod999

I just discovered it👍

@razorio007

Haha same. It's been years

@dangdroideka3185

@@razorio007 same

@sarahl9398

Radio Dept makes me feel like I'm in my early twenties again (in my thirties now) so dreamy. I miss this time in music as it was happening :)

@CityofTheAncients

I miss the excitement of being in my early 20s. This song really takes me back. I remember exactly who I was when I used to listen to this band a lot. Fucking aging sucks

@stephendemetro4620

amen

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