Catching Fire

Album: Order In Decline (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Following the suicides of music friends Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington and his own wife's attempt to kill herself, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley found himself one day sitting at home alone. Feeling lonesome, he reflected on what would have happened if he'd lost his wife. Whibley's melancholic contemplation spurred him to write this twisted love song for her.
  • Whibley wrote the ballad from the perspective of the person who's left behind. In their grief they believe they failed the person who'd passed on and regret that it's too late to do something about it. He said: "Writing this song was cathartic for me in dealing with my emotions for the first time about almost losing my wife to suicide. When I first played it for her, it was the beginning of us having an open conversation about what she went through."
  • Sum 41 released a reimagined version of "Catching Fire" featuring the TikTok creator/musician nothing,nowhere on May 28, 2021. John Asher, who previously directed the clip for "Never There," shot a black-and-white video to accompany the remix. The vision behind the clip is to shine light on suicide prevention and help tackle the stigma behind mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Comments: 1

  • Sum 41 FanI'm sorry for what you went through. I'm going through almost the same situation.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."