‘Light A Fire’ by Gavin Adcock – Lyrics & Meaning

It's apparent throughout his new studio album, Own Worst Enemy, that Gavin Adcock really is just that: his own worst enemy.

It seems, however, that several factors have fueled such a self-destructive truth, like heartbreak, for instance. 'Light A Fire', the album's third offering, especially shows what happens when such anguish befalls the rising star.

Own Worst Enemy, which arrived on August 15th, is a 24-track collection of all that Adcock has become and all that he has learned on his meteoric rise to country stardom. 'Light A Fire' showcases the unbridled intensity he has brought to the genre while on his ascent.

"Over the last 4 years I’ve spent my life writing, traveling, and trying to find time to breathe," the artist shared of the release in a post on social media. "It doesn’t always add up on paper like it would seem, but through the happiness, hard times and self-destruction I’ve found the best part of my job is letting out music for my fans. I can’t thank y’all enough for sticking with me for this long. I’m the furthest thing from perfect and I don’t ever plan to be."

Here, we're examining a song that captures the artist in the midst and on the other side of those hard times he mentioned.

Hushed percussion, measured strings, musing steel flourishes – 'Light A Fire' opens with caution, as if the artist is unsure (or doesn't yet trust his thoughts) in the moment.

With the chorus, however, he comes to his senses and allows himself to let go, the song erupting into an impassioned and enraged flurry of sharp rhythms and stinging riffs.

In this way, the tune's composition and contents mirror one another, crackling with unease before getting engulfed in fury.

"Listen to the hum of that kerosene choir dancing off dry oak
It's just me and the dogs out here trying to stay out the way of the smoke
She left the ring of gold on top of the note
Said I should know, she had to go
Whoa, buddy, that's all she wrote"

'Light A Fire' finds Adcock fresh off of a heartbreak. A woman has left what listeners can assume is an engagement or wedding ring behind, along with a note heralding the end for their relationship.

It's a harsh finale, but Adcock has an even more brutal encore planned.

Her possessions, their memories together, the very thought of her – it all has to go and it's leaving his life in smoke.

"Now she's driving, driving, driving me out of my mind
It's too damn quiet, you're flying for the first time in a while
But it's good timing, because I've been getting her shit in a pile
When love leaves you that cold, sometimes you've gotta light a fire, gotta light a fire"

That's right, he's burning whatever she's left behind. He rattles off, "Half-empty bottle of Trader Joe wine, picture of us and a couple hair ties / T-shirt I bought you down in Gulf Shores." They're all being subjected to the flames one by one as he attempt to singe away the pain she's caused.

The flames rise and the neighbors begin to grow nervous, but he pays it no mind, determined to "sit here and let them memories burn, burn, burn..."

"Now she's driving, driving, driving me out of my mind
It's too damn quiet, you're flying for the first time in a while
But it's good timing, because I've been getting her shit in a pile
When love leaves you that cold, sometimes you've gotta light a fire, gotta light a fire"

“Listen to the hum of that kerosene choir dancing off dry oak
It's just me and the dogs out here trying to stay out the way of the smoke
She left the ring of gold on top of the note
Said I should know, she had to go
Whoa, buddy, that's all she wrote

Now she's driving, driving, driving me out of my mind
It's too damn quiet, you're flying for the first time in a while
But it's good timing, because I've been getting her shit in a pile
When love leaves you that cold, sometimes you've gotta light a fire, gotta light a fire

Half-empty bottle of Trader Joe wine, picture of us and a couple hair ties
T-shirt I bought you down in Gulf Shores
Toss them all in one by one, they'll be ashes by the morning sun
She ain't here to need them anymore

Now she's driving, driving, driving me out of my mind
It's too damn quiet, you're flying for the first time in a while
But it's good timing, because I've been getting her shit in a pile
When love leaves you that cold, sometimes you've gotta light a fire, gotta light a fire

Flames are getting ‘bout pine tree big
Neighbors are probably gonna call it in
But I'm just gonna sit here and let them memories burn, burn, burn

Now she's driving, driving, driving me out of my mind
It's too damn quiet, you're flying for the first time in a while
But it's good timing, because I've been getting her shit in a pile
When love leaves you that cold, sometimes you've gotta light a fire, gotta light a fire”

--

For more on Gavin Adcock, see below: