Sex on Fire#Certifications
{{Short description|2008 single by Kings of Leon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Sex on Fire
| cover = SexOnFire.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Kings of Leon
| album = Only by the Night
| B-side = Beneath the Surface
| released = {{start date|2008|8|11}}
| recorded = {{start date|2008|04|23}}{{cite magazine|last=Tingen|first=Paul|title=Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Jacquire King|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec08/articles/it_king.htm|magazine=Sound On Sound|publisher=SOS Publications Group|date=December 2008|access-date=February 23, 2022}}
| studio = Blackbird (Berry Hill, Tennessee)
| genre = Alternative rock
| length = * 3:24 (album version)
- 3:33 (radio edit)
| label = RCA
| writer = * Caleb Followill
- Jared Followill
- Matthew Followill
- Nathan Followill
| producer = * Angelo Petraglia
| prev_title = Charmer
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = Use Somebody
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{External music video
|{{YouTube|RF0HhrwIwp0|"Sex on Fire"}}
}}
}}
"Sex on Fire" is the first single released from American rock band Kings of Leon's fourth studio album, Only by the Night. The song gave Kings of Leon their first number-one single in Australia, Finland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, charting at the top spot on digital downloads alone in the latter country, before its physical release. In September 2009, it was Britain's second most-downloaded digital single ever.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8240696.stm | work=BBC News | title=Lady Gaga is queen of downloads | date=September 6, 2009 | access-date=May 23, 2010}} The song has sold 1.2 million copies in the United Kingdom as of November 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2012/nov/04/uk-million-selling-singles-full-list |title=UK's million-selling singles: the full list |author= Ami Sedghi |work=The Guardian |date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=November 4, 2012}} It has also gained significant popularity in the United States, reaching number one on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's second highest-charting song there on the latter chart.
In 2008, the song earned the band their first Grammy nominations. The song was nominated for Best Rock Song,{{cite web|url=http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b71618_complete_list_of_nominees_51st_annual.html|title=Complete List of Nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards|date=December 4, 2008|website=E! Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616153716/https://www.eonline.com/news/71618/complete_list_of_nominees_51st_annual|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2024}} and won the award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 2009 at the 51st Grammy Awards.https://www.grammy.com/awards/51st-annual-grammy-awards{{cite web |title=Winners: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Written about a one night stand Caleb had in 1998 in Hollywood. |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/212 |website=Grammy.com |access-date=November 21, 2018}} In addition, the album earned a nomination for Best Rock Album. Channel V Australia named the song as the third biggest hit of 2008. It was voted number one in Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 2008. Following the success of the follow-up single "Use Somebody" in the United States on pop radio, the track was re-serviced[http://www.allaccess.com/site/coolNewMusic/index.php?bs=sk&sn=coolNewMusic&d=top40M&f=body&ng=top40M&ag=77]{{dead link|date=August 2014}} to US pop radio in November. Remixes of both songs were used for the runway soundtrack in the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
Composition
Musically, "Sex on Fire" has been described as alternative rock.{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Brad |date=October 15, 2010 |title=Kings of Leon: Bad boys, but good at playing the game |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/kings-of-leon-bad-boys-but-good-at-playing-the-game/article4329225/ |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=The Globe and Mail}}{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=February 3, 2014 |title=Kings of Leon plans to go big with tour kickoff in Atlanta |url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/music/kings-leon-plans-big-with-tour-kickoff-atlanta/xbjtzBzTldx1qwAQa5VI0O/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} The song was written about lead singer Caleb's then-girlfriend (and now-wife), model Lily Aldridge.{{cite news| url=http://www.elle.com.au/news/celebrity-news/2014/12/need-to-know-lily-aldridge/ | work=Elle Magazine | title=Need to know: Lily Aldridge | date=December 3, 2014 | access-date=May 27, 2016}} In an interview with Robbie, Marieke and the Doctor on Australian radio station Triple J, Nathan Followill explained that the band never intended the song to be named "Sex on Fire" and that it was not intended to be about sexuality.
{{quote|They were totally different lyrics. Depending on whether a song starts with a melody or starts with lyrics, you know if it starts with a melody you just keep playing the melody over and over until you get it down and just throw in any lyrics that fit the verbal flow. It was actually going to be "Set Us on Fire", but one of the sound mixers in the studio walked in as we were playing and said, "'Sex on Fire', huh?" And it just kind of became a running joke, and we stuck with it.}}
Nathan also said that some lyrics tried were "Socks on Fire", "Snatch on Fire", and "Cocks on Fire".{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s2484480.htm |title=Triple J music news: Kings Of Leon didn't want Sex On Fire |website=ABC |date=February 6, 2009 |access-date=August 24, 2014}} The song is played in the key of E major at a tempo of 153 bpm. The vocal range is B{{small|3}}–G{{sharp}}{{small|4}}.{{cite web |title=Kings of Leon: Sex on Fire Sheet Music |work=Sheet Music Direct |publisher= Martha Street Music/Followill Music/McFearless Music/Coffee Tea Or Me Publishing. |url=http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/43033/Product.aspx }}
Critical reception
"Sex on Fire" received generally positive reviews. Digital Spy rated the song four stars out of five, describing it as "a truly stirring single that will be a definite highlight on their winter arena tour".[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a128726/kings-of-leon-sex-on-fire.html Singles Reviews – Kings Of Leon: 'Sex On Fire' – Digital Spy]. Digital Spy. Retrieved September 15, 2008. Planet Sound also rated the song 9/10. However, Caleb Followill originally thought the song was "terrible";[https://www.spin.com/2008/09/kings-leon-sex-fire-terrible/ Kings of Leon: 'Sex on Fire' is 'Terrible' – Spin] Spin Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2008 according to Spin Magazine, it was almost ditched during recording. Despite giving the album a 4 out of 5, Spin thought the song was "silly". The song was number 40 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008."[https://web.archive.org/web/20081229022437/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/10 The 100 Best Songs of 2008]". Rolling Stone, December 25, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2008. The song was used for the trailer of the 2009 movie Stay Cool.{{cite web|url=http://www.staycoolthemovie.net/ |title=Stay Cool |publisher=Staycoolthemovie.net |access-date=August 24, 2014}}
In 2016, Johnny Borrell of Razorlight called this song "the apex, death and afterlife of landfill indie all in one go" and noted its similarity to Stereophonics's "Dakota" from 2005.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/landfill-indie-johnny-borrell-razorlight-the-strokes-kooks-definitive-history/|title=The Definitive History of Landfill Indie in Seven Songs, Narrated by Johnny Borrell|date=April 5, 2016}}
Chart performance
In the United Kingdom, "Sex on Fire" entered the official UK Singles Chart at number one on September 14, 2008 ― for the week ending date September 20, 2008 ― and went on to an unbroken 42 weeks on the chart, only dropping out due to the surge in sales of Michael Jackson titles immediately after his death, but after a two-week absence it was back for another 37 weeks, re-entering the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart at number six in September 2009. Further reappearances extended its tally of weeks to 90, making it the third most charted single of all time.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
In Germany, the single debuted at number 97 on the German Singles Chart, and began to rise and fall in the next several weeks. In its 32nd week on the chart, the song finally reached its peak of number 33. As of February 2011, the song had been on the chart for 60 weeks, a huge effort for a single that did not reach the top 20. In February 2011, due to the long stay on the German Singles Chart, the single was certificated with Gold for more than 150,000 copies sold.{{cite web |url=http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/#topSearch |title=Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank |publisher=Bundesverband Musikindustrie |access-date=August 24, 2014 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213102958/http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/#topSearch }}{{cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/KINGS+OF+LEON/single |title=Die ganze Musik im Internet: Kings of Leon Charts, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche |publisher=Musicline |language=de |access-date=August 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113618/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/KINGS+OF+LEON/single |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Music video
The director of the music video for "Sex on Fire" was Sophie Muller. In the video, the band is seen playing in a room at an abandoned factory. Other scenes show Caleb's brothers holding Caleb, who is tied to a mattress; Nathan washing his hair in a black water tub; Matthew explaining to Nathan and Jared about Caleb, and eating a chicken wing; and Caleb looking at strange shadows while lying on a soft mattress. At the end of the video, Caleb opens his mouth and smoke starts coming out of it.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2008/08/new-kings-leon-video-sex-fire/|title=New Kings of Leon Video: "Sex on Fire"|last=Goodman|first=William|date=August 27, 2008|magazine=Spin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413170218/https://www.spin.com/2008/08/new-kings-leon-video-sex-fire/|archive-date=April 13, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2024}}
Track listings
7-inch vinyl
- "Sex on Fire"
- "Beneath the Surface"
CD single
- "Sex on Fire"
- "Knocked Up" (Live @ Oxegen '08)
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2008–2013)
!scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Australia|1|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|29|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|2|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|22|artist=Kings of Leon|artistid=509854|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|1|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true|access-date=February 3, 2023}} |
| scope="row"| Czech Republic Modern Rock (IFPI){{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/21/kings-of-leon/sex-on-fire/146430|title=CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Sex on Fire|publisher=IFPI Czech Republic|accessdate=December 15, 2023|language=Czech}}
| 2 |
| {{single chart|Denmark|3|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| European Hot 100 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2008/BB-2008-10-04.pdf|title=Hits of the World – Euro Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=120|issue=40|page=66|date=October 4, 2008|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
| 6 |
| {{single chart|Finland|1|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|France|169|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|33|songid=498651|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true|access-date=January 27, 2020}} |
| scope="row"| Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/eltemadeluisfonsinomedoyporvencidoencabezapreferenciasradiales-258492.html|title=El tema de Luis Fonsi 'No me doy por vencido' encabeza preferencias radiales|accessdate=September 23, 2017|date=November 17, 2008|publisher=Vanguardia|language=es}}
| 9 |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|29|year=2008|week=43|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|16|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|2|date=20081004|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia|60|year=2009|week=11|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|16|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|54|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UK|1|date=20080914|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|56|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|15|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|18|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|1|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|10|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2024)
!scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|200|artist=Kings of Leon|rowheader=true|access-date=September 17, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Portugal|165|artist=Kings of Leon|song=Sex on Fire|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2024}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2022)
!scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2022/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=January 4, 2023}}
| 87 |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2023)
!scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2023/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2023|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=January 12, 2024}}
| 86 |
| scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20231231/37501|title=End of Year Singles Chart – 2023|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=January 3, 2024}}
| 100 |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2024)
!scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2024/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2024|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=January 13, 2025}}
| 63 |
| scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20240101/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart – 2024|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=January 1, 2025}}
| 70 |
=Decade-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2000–2009)
!scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2009/end-of-decade-singles-chart|title=2009 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart|publisher=ARIA|date=January 2010|access-date=January 16, 2020}}
| 9 |
| scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC)Radio 1 Official Chart of the Decade, as broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on December 29, 2009, presented by DJ Nihal.
| 14 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|title=Sex on Fire|artist=Kings of Leon|award=Platinum|number=16|certyear=2024|access-date=December 24, 2024}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|title=Sex on Fire|artist=Kings of Leon|award=Platinum|certyear=2014|relyear=2008|access-date=June 17, 2014}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|title=Sex on Fire|artist=Kings of Leon|award=Platinum|certyear=2011|relyear=2008|relmonth=9|access-date=November 22, 2011|nosales=true}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|title=Sex on Fire|artist=Kings of Leon|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-august|title=Danish single certifications – Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire|publisher=IFPI Denmark|access-date=May 8, 2013}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|access-date=November 22, 2011|certyear=2009|salesamount=6,752}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|access-date=May 4, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2018|id=5357|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|access-date=March 12, 2018}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Mexico|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|certyear=2023|relyear=2008|award=Diamond+Platinum+Gold|number2=3|access-date=February 3, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|award=Platinum|number=8|type=single|relyear=2008|id=2024-09-06|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|award=Platinum|number=4|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|id=file_2024-08-16-11-55-56.pdf|access-date=August 16, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|id=kings-of-leon-sex-on-fire|access-date=26 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|relmonth=9|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|access-date=November 22, 2011|certyear=2010}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|artist=Kings Of Leon|title=Sex On Fire|type=single|id=10825-878-1|access-date=May 10, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|relmonth=9|artist=Kings of Leon|title=Sex on Fire|access-date=November 22, 2011|digital=true|certyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
Cover versions
In 2010, British singer-songwriter Tina Cousins released a dance version of the song.{{cite web | url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7balLZLHePMUkJbKEBRNsr?si=1mMTleFnTUO-5H00_eS2cA | title=Sex on Fire (Radio Edit) | website=Spotify }} In 2011, American singer Beyoncé performed a cover of the song during her historic headlining 2011 Glastonbury Festival Performance to much acclaim.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/21/beyonce-glastonbury-warm-up-gig|title=Beyoncé warms up for Glastonbury with Queen and Kings of Leon covers|first=Michael|last=Cragg|date=June 21, 2011|via=The Guardian}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kings of Leon}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal}}
{{Triple J Hottest 100 winners}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in Finland
Category:Song recordings produced by Jacquire King
Category:Songs written by Caleb Followill
Category:Songs written by Jared Followill
Category:Songs written by Matthew Followill
Category:Songs written by Nathan Followill
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal