The subject of firefighting and firemen has influenced many songwriters when discussing both literal and metaphorical topics. For example, there are many tribute songs for firemen that have been written, specifically after tragedies.
However, other artists write about firemen in a more metaphorical way — and often when they’re discussing romance.
Below, we’ve listed 20 great songs about firefighting in different ways, and in different genres!
1. “The Fireman” by George Strait
George Strait’s hit song “The Firemen”, released on his 1984 album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, compares firefighting to romance. In this song, Strait calls himself a fireman. He goes around town putting out fires — which he says are women.
In the chorus, he sings the lyrics, “Well, they call me the fireman, that’s my name / Making my rounds all over town putting out old flames.”
2. “Fireman” by Lil Wayne
In Lil Wayne’s song “Fireman”, the rapper talks about his life, success, money, and more. There are many different topics discussed in this song. However, above all else, Lil Wayne talks about how he is a “Fireman”.
Now, this could mean different things. Some listeners believe this hints at his past drug dealing. Others believe he is talking about how he is on fire (not literally) and cannot be put out — in his career and his life!
3. “People In Your Neighborhood” by Sesame Street
On the other hand, we have a great preschool song from Sesame Street that also talks about firefighting! In this song, kids learn about all the different people (and their careers) in their neighborhoods.
They talk about what to do if there was a fire. The lyrics say, “Oh, a fireman is brave it’s said / His engine is a shiny red / If there’s a fire anywhere about / Well, I’ll be sure to put it out.”
4. “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” by Cream
Cream’s 1966 song “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” is an old blues standard that has been covered by so many artists over the years. While the initial song deals with heartbreak, Cream’s version doesn’t cover all of the lyrics, so much of the original meaning of the song is lost.
However, at the end of the song, they do mention firemen when they sing, “Engine driver blows that whistle / Fireman rings that bell.”
5. “Mean Old Fireman” by Fleetwood Mac
“Mean Old Fireman” by Fleetwood Mac, originally released in 1971, talks about a romantic relationship that has ended. The song also plays off the classic blues song “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”, lyrically at the very least, which we discussed above!
The band sings, “He was a mean old fireman / And a cruel old engineer / Yes, takin’ way my sweet woman / And left me standing here.”
6. “Casey Jones” by Jo Stafford
“Casey Jones” is another old classic song that talks about firefighting and firemen. It’s a song that’s been covered many times, though we’ll only discuss Jo Stafford’s version here.
This song tells the story of Casey Jones and the family he leaves behind to work. In this song, the narrator also talks to a fireman with him. The lyrics say, “He turned to his fireman and this is what he said / Boy, we’re going to reach Frisco, but we’ll all be dead.”
7. “Kingdom Come (The Fireman’s Song)” by Judy Collins
“Kingdom Come (The Fireman’s Song)” was released by Judy Collins as a tribute song to the events of 9/11. Throughout this song, Collins sings about the events of 9/11 and how many people have tried to process what happened months after the fact.
She also talks about those who lost their lives as they tried to help. She sings, “And saw the number 343 / The number of the Firemen / Who were lost upon that day / The numbers of those heroes / Ground Zero was their grave.”
8. “I’m On Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis’ song “I’m On Fire” opens with the lyrics, “Well, help me, mister fireman, please / You know I’m burnin’ from my head to my knees / I’m a-flame with such a burning desire / The little girl set my soul on fire.”
The rest of the song details how Lewis feels about this girl — and how she affects him!
9. “Flapper Girl” by The Lumineers
The Lumineers’ 2012 song “Flapper Girl”, which appears on their self-titled album, also mentions firefighting and firemen! This song is set in the 1920s and describes a “Flapper Girl” of the times.
To help set the scene, theme, and mood of the song, the band sings about firemen. They sing, “Local boy, local news / Power lines hanging boots / Firemen in their trucks cut loose / A local boy’s shoes.”
10. “Give It To Me Strait” by Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw’s 1994 song “Give It To Me Strait” follows McGraw as he deals with heartbreak. The song opens with McGraw sitting down at a bar and talking about how he’s going to drink away his miseries. He then mentions that he’d like to listen to George Strait on the jukebox to help him with his heartache.
Through this, he also talks about a fireman — and possibly mentions the Strait song “The Fireman” which we discussed above! McGraw sings, “It’s gonna take a fireman / To put this old flame out / So, come on give it to me Strait / Before I come unwound.”
11. “Grapevine Fires” by Death Cab For Cutie
“Grapevine Fires” by Death Cab For Cutie talks about firefighting in both a literal and metaphorical way. Therefore, the song literally talks about a wildfire that people try to escape from. However, the band also sings about how love can be overwhelming in all instances.
The entire song talks about wildfires potentially getting out of control. At the end of the song, the band sings, “The firemen worked in double shifts / With prayers for rain on their lips / And they knew it was only a matter of time.”
12. “Fireman” by Frankie Cosmos
In the song “Fireman”, Frankie Cosmos sings from the point of view of a girl whose father is a fireman. The short song, which doesn’t have a lot of lyrics, is haunting in the end.
Cosmos sings, “My daddy is a fireman / He is brave / He is strong / Today he is here / Tomorrow he’s / Gone.”
13. “Independence Day” by Martina McBride
Martina McBride released her song “Independence Day” on her 1993 album The Way That I Am. McBride sings from the point of view of a young girl whose mother is abused by her father. On Independence Day, the girl’s mother sets herself free by setting the home on fire.
McBride sings, “Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July / By the time that the firemen come / They just put out the flames and took down some names / And sent me to the county home.”
McBride doesn’t necessarily condone this arson. However, she does sing about freedom and how the guilty eventually have to pay in one way or another!
14. “Penny Lane” by The Beatles
The Beatles’ 1967 song “Penny Lane”, which appears on the band’s album Magical Mystery Tour, also mentions firemen and firefighting! The band describes a street named “Penny Lane”, which also happens to be the street where McCartney and Lennon used to meet when they were younger!
The song details all the different types of people on this street on a regular day. As a result, the band naturally talks about a fireman who is on the street.
They sing, “In Penny Lane, there is a fireman with an hourglass / And in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen / He likes to keep his fire engine clean / It’s a clean machine.”
15. “Bellerin’ Plain” by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band released the song “Bellerin’ Plain” in 1970. The band discusses and describes many different things in this song. Therefore, you can expect a fireman to be talked about!
The band sings the lyrics, “Poured the engineer’s voice whistlin’ down low / ‘n piped like clacks by the ol’ scarecrow / ‘n pots ‘n pans burn the fireman’s hands till the / Kettle leaped fire round the belly ‘o’.”
16. “God Bless This Mess” by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow’s “God Bless This Mess” describes Crow’s views and criticism of the Iraq War. Through this displeasure, she also mentions the tragedy of 9/11 — and the firemen who lost their lives that day.
She sings, “Heard about the day that two skyscrapers came down / Firemen, policemen, people came from all around / The smoke covered the city and the body count did rise.”
17. “Comes Love” by Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell released her song “Comes Love” on her 2000 album Both Sides Now. Mitchell explains in this song that people can do nothing when they fall in love. Even if people try to, say, not fall in love, Mitchell explains that they will.
To help get this point across, the brings up how firemen can help solve the solution of a fire. However, she then says that when it comes to love, nothing can be done.
She sings the lyrics, “Comes a fire, firemen come and rescue me / Blow a tire, you can patch the innertube / But comes love, nothing can be done.”
18. “Rollin’ Blues” by John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker’s classic song “Rollin’ Blues” describes another version of the Cream song we discussed above. However, the lyrics differ here and, therefore, seem to tell a different story about the narrator’s romance.
In the end, Hooker sings about leaving his woman. As a result, he mentions firemen. He sings, “Engineer blow the whistle now / Fireman rung the bell / Lord, I didn’t have time / Tell my baby, fare you well.”
19. “A Penny Loafer Saved Is A Penny Loafer Earned” by Relient K
Relient K’s 2002 song “A Penny Loafer Saved Is a Penny Loafer Earned” talks about a lot of different things. For example, the song originally opens with a discussion on penny loafers. However, by the second verse, the band moves on.
They sing, “The Matchbox tires spin out on the welcome mat / And the firemen are tired men / Who can’t put out the rug burn and they say / Cut your hair short, and then walk through an airport.”
20. “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis
Finally, the last song on our list! “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis, released in 1972, also talks about firefighting and firemen! This very long song talks about a variety of different subjects, as it has different parts.
However, the band does mention firefighters. They sing, “I know a farmer who looks after the farm / With water clear, he cares for all his harvest / I know a fireman who looks after the fire.”