“Feed The Flames” by Gemma Hayes – A Song Feature

 

     The vocals of “Feed The Flames" have a gripping intimacy as the song explores the fragility of a relationship. The voice of Gemma Hayes is simultaneously vulnerable, seductive and courageous as she uses the metaphor that relates fire to a romance. Our understanding of the lyrics is included at the bottom of this post, but there might be errors.
 
     In explaining the motivation for “Feed The Flames,” Gemma Hayes said:
  “I originally began writing the song after watching ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Knowing a bit about their relationship off screen I was really taken by the depth of their connection; it was a living, breathing fire.
  What I got from delving into their relationship is that you can love something or someone so much only for your human fallibility to come along and destroy it.”
 
     The instrumental arrangement is also noteworthy. The lower complexity and texturing during the first verse of “Feed The Flames” ensures that the focus is on the lyrical description and vocal emotion. The texturing and power vary during the almost three and a half minutes, with a peak during the layered vocals and backing anguish within the final minute.
 
     The song is the second that will be included on an upcoming album, which will be the first LP from Hayes in a decade. In promotion of the new music, an Irish tour has been scheduled (for dates, visit the website identified in this post). The video was shot in West Cork, to where the Tipperary-born musician recently relocated. 
 
     “Feed The Flames” by Gemma Hayes

Streaming and download opportunities: https://slinky.to/FEEDTHEFLAMES
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemmahayesmusic
Website: http://gemmahayes.com/

Lyrics of “Feed The Flames” by Gemma Hayes
The hush of night woke up
I’m waiting for it now
I’m gonna gather up sticks and stones
Go somewhere I don’t know
 
I see you and know that you see me
But it’s hard to meet your eyes
I wanna tell you
I wanna tell you, but I just can’t say it
 
Hey man, our house is burning now
Can’t seem to care
I keep trying
When we feed the flames
All I feel is free. Free
 
I think you got something to say to me
It’s just beyond your mouth
I wanna tear it out
 
We try, but I won’t hold on to the memories
Now that I keep walking
Till I reach my hallowed ground
When I turn to look, you’ve left for the people
 
Hey man, our house is burning now
Can’t seem to care
I keep trying
When we feed the flames
All I feel is free. Free
 
Hey man, I think you’re losing me
All your talk, but the words won’t catch
Come on and feed the flames
And set us, set us free. Free
 
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna, but I just can’t say it
 
Hey man, our house is burning and
Can’t seem to care
I keep trying
When we feed the flames
All I feel is free. Free. Free
 
Hey man, I think you’re losing me
All your talk, but the words won’t catch
Come on and feed the flames
And set us, set us free. Free. Free
 
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna tell you but I…
I wanna