Flames

"Flames" is a powerful and uplifting anthem centered on themes of resilience, perseverance, and inner strength. The lyrics deliver a motivational message, encouraging a loved one—and by extension, the listener—to push through difficult times. The song is a dialogue of encouragement, urging someone to overcome their struggles by taking one step at a time and not succumbing to despair ("Gotta keep those tears at bay"). The central metaphor of "flames" represents a person's inner spirit, passion, and determination. Rather than being extinguished by hardship, these flames are to be fueled by adversity, burning brighter and consuming the pain. It’s a call to transform suffering into a source of defiant power. The repeated exhortation to "just keep moving" and "don't stop" serves as a mantra for endurance, emphasizing that progress, however small, is crucial. The song suggests looking inward for strength and listening to one's own encouraging inner voice to navigate challenges. Ultimately, "Flames" is about finding the fortitude to survive today with the hope that tomorrow will bring relief from pain.

The song begins with a message of perseverance, urging someone to take things one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, one breath after another. It's a call to keep moving forward, no matter the difficulty. The listener is encouraged to find strength from within and to listen for an inner voice of encouragement that guides them to continue on their path. The pre-chorus intensifies this message with a direct command: "Go, go, go." It acknowledges that there are things to "figure out," but the most critical action is to not stop moving, to believe in one's own ability to overcome the challenges—"you can do this."

The chorus serves as the emotional core of the song, a direct address to a loved one, referred to as "my love." It’s a plea for them to keep running and to endure the hardships of the present day. The lyrics recognize the pain and the tears but insist on the need to keep them "at bay." The central metaphor is introduced here: the idea of not letting one's inner fire die out. Instead of being extinguished by sorrow, the pain and struggles should be used as fuel, sending them "up in flames." This imagery transforms suffering into a source of power and defiance.

In the second verse, the focus shifts to the promise of the future and the danger of the past. The listener is reminded that "tomorrow's another day" and a day where they will "feel no pain." This hopeful outlook is contrasted with a warning: "don't stop, the past'll trip you up." It emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, as dwelling on past sorrows can impede progress. The present moment, "right now," must be sufficient to keep going. The song then repeats the empowering pre-chorus and the fiery chorus, reinforcing the central themes of persistence and resilience. The bridge consists of the simple, powerful repetition of the phrase "in flames," solidifying the image of burning away adversity, followed by another round of the encouraging pre-chorus, driving home the message of relentless forward motion and self-belief.

"Flames" was released on March 22, 2018, as the third single from David Guetta's seventh studio album, 7. The song marks another significant collaboration between French DJ David Guetta and Australian singer-songwriter Sia, being their seventh joint project following hits like "Titanium," "She Wolf (Falling to Pieces)," and "Bang My Head." The track was written by Sia Furler, David Guetta, Christopher Braide, Giorgio Tuinfort, and Marcus van Wattum, with production handled by Guetta, Tuinfort, and van Wattum. Vocal production was done by Chris Braide. According to Guetta, Sia first sent him the song as a simple piano-vocal demo. It took a year for them to come together and fully develop the track. Guetta expressed immense pride in their collaborations, stating, "'Titanium' is still one of the tracks I am proudest of and Sia is one of my favorite artists to work with." He aimed for an international feel, where the emotion could be felt even without understanding the lyrics. The song was recorded in 2017 and mixed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach.

"Flames" employs a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme that enhances its pop accessibility and anthemic quality. In the verses, the structure is roughly AABB (babe/yeah, today/say). The chorus follows a similar pattern, rhyming "running" with "burning" and "today" with "bay." This straightforward rhyme scheme makes the lyrics memorable and easy to sing along to. The rhythm of the lyrics is conversational yet insistent, driven by repeated commands like "Go, go, go" and "Just keep moving." This creates a sense of urgency and forward momentum that mirrors the song's lyrical theme. The song's musical rhythm is built on a mid-tempo, funky beat at 94 BPM in common time. This gives the track a steady, determined pulse rather than a frantic dance energy. The interplay between Sia's powerful, sustained vocal lines in the chorus and the consistent, head-nodding rhythm of the instrumental creates the song's signature uplifting and resilient feel. The rhythmic structure is less complex than many EDM tracks, focusing instead on creating an infectious and encouraging groove.

Musically, "Flames" marks a departure from Guetta and Sia's previous, more club-oriented collaborations. It is primarily a synth-pop and electropop song with house influences and a distinct '80s vibe, featuring a more laid-back, funk-tinged beat compared to the hard-hitting EDM of "Titanium". The tempo is a moderate 94 beats per minute, and the song is in the key of F minor. Guetta's production is more subdued, creating a "pop-house hybrid" that provides a foundation for Sia's vocals without overshadowing them. Lyrically, the song uses a direct address narrative voice, with the singer speaking to a "love," which creates an intimate and personal tone of encouragement. Repetition is a key literary device, with phrases like "Just keep moving" and "Go, go, go" acting as motivational mantras. Sia's vocal performance is a significant stylistic element; she delivers the lines with her characteristically powerful and emotive voice, including subtle, controlled cracks that add to the emotional authenticity. This combination of a more pop-focused, groovy production and Sia's soaring, heartfelt vocals defines the song's unique style.

"Flames" was a significant commercial success, particularly in Europe, where it became the most-played song on radio in 2018. The single reached the top 5 in numerous countries, including France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, and peaked in the top 10 in the UK and Germany. In the UK, it peaked at number 7 on the Official Singles Chart. The song was certified Platinum in France. While it did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, it performed well on dance charts. The track received positive reviews from music critics, who praised it as an "uplifting, low-key banger" and highlighted Sia's "incredible voice" and the song's infectious, emotive quality. The official music video, directed by Lior Molcho, gained considerable attention for its cinematic, wuxia-inspired narrative. It features actor Danny Trejo as a martial arts master training three women who fight against an evil emperor, played by David Guetta himself. This action-packed video added another layer to the song's theme of empowerment and overcoming evil.

The song's primary symbol is fire, encapsulated in the word "Flames." This is not a fire of destruction, but one of resilience, passion, and purification. It represents the inner strength and spirit of an individual facing adversity. The line, "don't stop burning, gonna send them up in flames," suggests using pain and struggle as fuel. Instead of being consumed by hardship, the individual consumes their troubles, transforming them into a powerful, visible declaration of strength. The act of "running" is another key metaphor, symbolizing continuous effort and the refusal to stand still or give up. It's about enduring a difficult journey ("You gotta get through today") with relentless forward momentum. The phrase "keep those tears at bay" functions as a metaphor for maintaining composure and fortitude in the face of emotional pain, not necessarily suppressing emotion but controlling its power to overwhelm. Together, these symbols create a narrative of an emotional trial by fire, from which one is meant to emerge stronger and undeterred.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif in "Flames" is the imperative to persevere, captured in phrases like "Just keep moving," "keep on running," and "don't stop." These simple, direct commands are repeated throughout the verses and pre-chorus, functioning as a central mantra of resilience and endurance. Their repetition hammers home the song's core message, creating a powerful sense of encouragement. Another key recurring motif is the phrase "Go, go, go," which bookends the pre-chorus and serves as an urgent call to action. The titular word "flames" is the song's central image and recurs in the chorus and bridge. Its repetition, especially in the bridge, transforms it into a powerful, cleansing symbol of defiance. Musically, the song is built around an infectious synth-led melody and a funky bassline that repeats throughout, providing a consistent, uplifting sonic backdrop. Sia's powerful, belted chorus, "So my love, keep on running... gonna send them up in flames," is the main hook, its repetition ensuring the song's anthemic and memorable quality.