“Fire and the Flood” is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy. It was released on July 24, 2015, as the first single from the deluxe edition of his debut studio album, “Dream Your Life Away,” which originally came out in 2014. You might also recognize this song from the Warner Bros CGI-animated film called “Storks.”
The song uses powerful metaphors such as fire and flood to convey the singer’s intense emotions. It’s a tale of love that transcends physical distance and continues to influence the singer’s life even after a break-up.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the lyrics of “Fire and the Flood” to understand the deeper meaning of this beautiful and moving song.
“Fire and the Flood” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I was only walking through your neighbourhood
Saw your light on, honey, in the cold I stood
Anywhere I go, there you are
Anywhere I go, there you are
I’ve been getting used to waking up with you
I’ve been getting used to waking up here
Anywhere I go, there you are
Anywhere I go, there you are
There you are, there you are, mm
In Verse 1, the singer takes on the perspective of a stalker who couldn’t get over his failed relationship with his ex-girlfriend. He describes a scene where he was walking through his ex-girlfriend’s neighborhood. He noticed that her light was on, suggesting that she was at home. Despite the cold weather, the singer stood outside her home.
The repeated phrase “Anywhere I go, there you are” suggests that the singer feels her presence no matter where she is or where she goes. It implies a deep emotional attachment and a feeling of being drawn to his ex-girlfriend.
Before breaking up, the singer used to wake up with his girlfriend at her home. He sings, “I’ve been getting used to waking up with you/I’ve been getting used to waking up here.” They had been together for a long time, and he had gotten used to it, making it hard for him to break this habit.
[Chorus]
You’re the fire and the flood
And I always feel you in my blood
Everything is fine
When your head’s resting next to mine, next to mine
You’re the fire and the flood
Ah-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ah-ooh, ooh, ooh
The chorus begins with the line “You’re the fire and the flood,” which suggests that the singer’s ex-girlfriend has had a significant impact on his life. The use of “fire” and “flood” may imply that the relationship was passionate but also tumultuous or overwhelming.
The following line “And I always feel you in my blood” means that the singer still carries the emotional connection with his ex-girlfriend deeply within him.
When he sings, “Everything is fine when your head’s resting next to mine, next to mine,” the singer reminisces about the experiences of being close to his ex-girlfriend, which brings a sense of comfort and contentment to him.
[Verse 2]
Since we met, I feel a lightness in my step
You’re miles away, but I still feel you
Anywhere I go, there you are (Anywhere)
Anywhere I go, there you are
Late at night, when you can’t fall asleep
I’ll be lying right beside you, counting sheep
Anywhere I go, there you are (Anywhere)
Anywhere I go, there you are
There you are, there you are, mm
In Verse 2, the first line “Since we met, I feel a lightness in my step” suggests that the singer experienced a positive change in his life when he met his ex-girlfriend. The encounter brought happiness and a sense of upliftment.
The next line “You’re miles away, but I still feel you” implies that even though his ex-girlfriend is now physically distant, his emotional connection remains strong.
This part concludes with the line “Late at night, when you can’t fall asleep, I’ll be lying right beside you, counting sheep,” which expresses the singer’s desire to be there for his lover, providing comfort and companionship during difficult times.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Fire and the Flood”
“Fire and the Flood” by Vance Joy is a song inspired by his personal experiences and emotions.
In the song, Vance Joy portrays the perspective of a stalker who can’t move on from a past relationship, haunted by memories shared with their ex.
Vance Joy released the song and music video with a statement, saying:
“I had a recurring image in my head of a guy walking in the neighborhood where his ex-girlfriend lives. He is haunting the places they used to go together. He has time on his hands and feels kind of useless. He thinks that when they are back together he’ll be at peace again.”
The song uses “fire” and “flood” as metaphors to express the singer’s intense feelings for his ex-girlfriend, even after their relationship ended.
“Fire” symbolizes passion and strong emotions, reflecting the singer’s deep love for his ex-girlfriend.
“Flood” represents overwhelming and turbulent emotions, signifying the depth of feeling and the ups and downs in the relationship.
The title captures the idea that love can be both intense and tumultuous, like a bright burning fire and a engulfing flood.
Overall, “Fire and the Flood” is a song about the lasting impact of a significant relationship, where memories and feelings persist like a burning fire and flow deeply like a flood in the singer’s heart and mind.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.