Motivation Mondays: Girl on Fire

Alicia Keys has done it again and her timing could not have been better. Keys released her new song ‘Girl on Fire’ at the MTV Video Music Awards in September. The powerful lyrics accompanied by a catchy beat have captivated me, sending the song to number one on my iTUNES shuffle.

This is not Alicia Keys’ first time providing an empowering female anthem. Her hit ‘Superwoman’ was released in 2007 and won her a Grammy award. In many different interviews, Keys talks about her single mother who worked two jobs to provide for her. She always wants to give her audience a message of strength and hope. ‘Girl on Fire’ does the same, giving girls everywhere the courage to become girls on fire too. The song debuted at the MTV Video Music Awards where Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas performed a routine to the music. Using Douglas as a visual representation of a girl on fire was an awesome idea. No, she wasn’t literally on fire but figuratively, Gabby was on fire after winning two gold medals in London. She was the perfect example to use in order to articulate the song’s message.

Keys released the song at a time when the ‘girl on fire’ idea couldn’t be hotter. The main character from The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen was branded the ‘girl on fire’ because of her illuminating costume at the games. Hunger Games fans can listen to Keys’ song and envision Katniss fighting fearlessly throughout the games. Maybe they will even use the song in future Hunger Games movies. The already impactful song has been strengthened by associating both Katniss and Gabby Douglas as girls on fire.

On this dreary Monday, I hope ‘Girl on Fire’ can impart its message of hope and passion on to you. We each have the ability to transform into girls on fire; girls whose passion is so intense, it can be felt from a million miles away.