She's just a girl, and she's on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, lonely like a highway
She's living in a world and it's on fire
Filled with catastrophe but she knows she can fly away

Ooh-oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she's burning it down
Ooh-oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she's not backing down

This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Looks like a girl but she's a flame
So bright, she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
She's on top of the world
Hottest of the hottest girls say

Ooh-oh, we got our feet on the ground
And we're burning it down
Ooh-oh, got our head in the clouds
And we're not coming down

This girl is on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire (ooh)

Everybody stares as she goes by
'Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes
Watch her as she's lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl
And it's a lonely world
But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby

This girl is on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire (fire, fire)
This girl is on fire

Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, ooh-oh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh, oh

She's just a girl but she's on fire


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Esethu 2009

Girl on Fire Lyrics as written by Jeffrey Bhasker Alicia Keys

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Girl On Fire song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I think this is about female powers. When you look at the video, you can see a woman cleaning the household, caring for kids, cooking food, etc. without a man coming along to help. Most probably she is a single mother. So the song is about emancipation, about being able to do everything, even alone.

    Any woman who has a single mother or has raised kid herself will know what I'm talking about. There is always so much to do, you feel like it's consuming yourself, like fire. And then, in the evening, when the kids are asleep, there are those quiet, lonely minutes, where you are totally broken up and just want to cry, feeling burned out. But your not, you will get up the other day and do it all over again, because the flame has not vanished in your eyes. A strong girl, strong woman, who will make it, even on her own. Love that song.

    frozenvirus85on January 26, 2013   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    i think it's about girl power and how she is strong on the inside even if people let her down

    you107845on April 23, 2013   Link
  • +2
    Link(s)
    Katiebudgeton July 30, 2013   Link
  • +2
    Song Fact

    From Alicia Keys herself:

    "Dear Fam,I’m so honored to share my fifth studio album, Girl On Fire, with all of you. WOW!!! What a journey!! Over the last two years, I’ve given my all to the songs and sounds that make up this album— I took myself out of my “comfort zone”, collaborated with artists across different genres, and took control of my life in a way I never had before. And with every step I took, you all inspired me to pour my heart into every beat, and my soul into every lyric.Girl On Fire is about new beginnings, new perspectives and fresh starts. It’s about finding your own inner strength and channeling it in a way you’ve never tried before. To be “on fire” is to allow yourself the freedom to take full control of who you are and how you want to live your life. To live your passion and shine your light unabashedly!! It’s that moment you choose to claim your power and be extraordinary!With this album, I hope to empower you in the way you have me… I hope to move you to be your own phenomenal self in life. Thank you for your tremendous support throughout my career and for being a part of my journey as an artist. I’m so proud to share Girl On Fire with you all. I can’t contain the flame!!!! Never contain yours!!!"

    moosequestrianon February 08, 2017   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    What I think is, you can always shine in this world, no matter how lonely you are, if you don't have support from family and friends, it's who YOU are, not who the others are.

    LilaGabbyon January 01, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby This girl is on fire"

    This song is about a bladder infection. Or maybe gonorrhea. Does chlamydia burn?

    slappytrkyon January 12, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Sounds like its about a ditzy party girl with her head in the clouds, burning up the night.

    tsortoreon February 23, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Damn. Even the guys gotta admit this song is the shit. Alicia Keys has it.

    If I was a woman I’d be blasting this all day everyday and not give a damn what anyone thinks.

    movietangoon February 15, 2023   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is fantastic ❤️???? amazing

    Tsakion March 21, 2023   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion

    Everytime I hear this song all I can think is, "WOW Alicia Keys is full of herself."

    linangel85on February 11, 2013   Link

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