Sunday Music: Fire That Keeps Me, Keeps Me Running

Esther Rose described her single, “Keeps Me Running” as follows,

“Keeps Me Running” is my most recklessly optimistic loner anthem to date. It’s about not being ready for a new relationship, chasing that wild lonely feeling, and being energized by it.

Yeah. I’m going to say she nailed it. Vocally it’s conversational while hesitantly flipping between liftoff and staying grounded. Melodically, you might think it’s some standard folk-pop stuff at first, but she’s got a way of leaving the ends of lines hanging in space that would make gravity anxious.

Lyrically, well, have a look for yourself. So it makes more sense, the literal “fire” here are matches she’s lighting and letting burn (as she tells us earlier in the song). Metaphorically, you can figure it out, but let me just add – the spin she puts on “running” is subtle and brilliant. Here’s the last verse into the chorus:

Fire looking back at meFire tell me what you see?Tell me how you burn so brightKeeping me company tonightYes I’m calling you my friendBut every fire needs the windChase the wind

Fire that keeps me, keeps meFire that keeps me, keeps me runningRunningFire that keeps me, keeps meFire that keeps me, keeps me runningRunning

Esther Rose is one to pay attention to. Here’s the full song.