Kerosene (song)
Encyclopedia
"Kerosene" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American
country
artist Miranda Lambert
. It was released in September 2005 as the third single and title-track to her debut album Kerosene
. It reached number 15 on the Hot Country Songs
charts, becoming Lambert's first Top 20 country hit. It also peaked at number 61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The working title of the song was "Kerosene (Loves Givin' Up on Me)."
The song was Lambert's first to be certified Gold by the RIAA on March 6, 2006.
that is backed with electric guitar and harmonica. The narrator, who is being cheated on by her boyfriend, expresses her being through with love; "I'm giving up on love / 'Cause love's giving up on me". Instead of letting him off easy, she takes revenge by burning down his house after soaking it in kerosene to ease the pain.
Although Lambert wrote the song, she gave co-writer's credit to alt-country singer Steve Earle
after others noted the similarity to his "I Feel Alright". She said in an interview that she had unconsciously copied the melody and structure, saying "I didn't purposefully plagiarize his song -- but unconsciously I copied it almost exactly. I guess I'd listened to it so much that I just kind of had it in there."
. In the video, Lambert carries a tin of kerosene, letting it spill out leaving a trail as she walks through the countryside. After she finds her boyfriend cheating on her in a bed in the middle of a road, she lights a match and lets fire to the kerosene. The flame burns all the way back to her boyfriend's house and sets fire to it.
The music video reached the top spot of CMT
's Top Twenty Countdown
for the week of March 2, 2006. It was also featured on CMT's 100 Greatest Videos, where it was ranked at number 78.
chart for the week of October 15, 2005. After twenty-two weeks on the chart, it peaked at number 15 on March 11, 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert is an American country music artist who gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star, where she finished in third place and later signed to Epic Records. Lambert made her debut with the release of "Me and Charlie Talking", the first single from her 2005 debut...
. It was released in September 2005 as the third single and title-track to her debut album Kerosene
Kerosene (album)
- Personnel :Musicians* Richard Bennett – guitar* Chad Cromwell – drums* Eric Darken – percussion* Natalie Hemby – background vocals* Joey Huffman – keyboards* Jay Joyce – guitar* Miranda Lambert – background vocals, lead vocals...
. It reached number 15 on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, becoming Lambert's first Top 20 country hit. It also peaked at number 61 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The working title of the song was "Kerosene (Loves Givin' Up on Me)."
The song was Lambert's first to be certified Gold by the RIAA on March 6, 2006.
Content
"Kerosene" is an up-tempo song in the key of G majorG major
G major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
that is backed with electric guitar and harmonica. The narrator, who is being cheated on by her boyfriend, expresses her being through with love; "I'm giving up on love / 'Cause love's giving up on me". Instead of letting him off easy, she takes revenge by burning down his house after soaking it in kerosene to ease the pain.
Although Lambert wrote the song, she gave co-writer's credit to alt-country singer Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
after others noted the similarity to his "I Feel Alright". She said in an interview that she had unconsciously copied the melody and structure, saying "I didn't purposefully plagiarize his song -- but unconsciously I copied it almost exactly. I guess I'd listened to it so much that I just kind of had it in there."
Music video
A music video was released for the song, directed by Trey FanjoyTrey Fanjoy
Trey Fanjoy is a country music and pop music video director. Fanjoy has directed over 150 major label music videos. Her videos have appeared on CMT, VH-1, GAC, The Nashville Network, CMT Canada, and MTV.-Music videos:...
. In the video, Lambert carries a tin of kerosene, letting it spill out leaving a trail as she walks through the countryside. After she finds her boyfriend cheating on her in a bed in the middle of a road, she lights a match and lets fire to the kerosene. The flame burns all the way back to her boyfriend's house and sets fire to it.
The music video reached the top spot of CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
's Top Twenty Countdown
Top Twenty Countdown
Top 20 Countdown is a show on CMT.The show counts down the biggest videos in country music and was originally hosted by Lance Smith. Top Twenty Countdown airs every Friday at 11:00 a.m. and reruns on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Besides showing the biggest videos, Lance also shows...
for the week of March 2, 2006. It was also featured on CMT's 100 Greatest Videos, where it was ranked at number 78.
Chart performance
"Kerosene" debuted at number 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart for the week of October 15, 2005. After twenty-two weeks on the chart, it peaked at number 15 on March 11, 2006.
| Chart (2005-2006) | Peak position |
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