Through the Fire (song)

"Through the Fire" is a song recorded by Chaka Khan from her sixth studio album, I Feel for You (1984). The David Foster-produced track was the third single from the album and reached number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 15 on the R&B singles chart.^[3] It was one of the few Khan hits to cross to the Adult Contemporary chart.

"Through the Fire"
Single by Chaka Khan
from the album I Feel for You
B-side	"I'm Every Woman" "La Flamme"
Released	April 1985 (U.S.)[1]
Recorded	1984
Genre	R&B quiet storm[2]
Length	4:47
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	David Foster Tom Keane Cynthia Weil
Producer(s)	David Foster
Chaka Khan singles chronology
"This Is My Night" (1985) "Through the Fire" (1985) "Eye to Eye" (1985)
Music video
"Through the Fire" on YouTube

Foster revealed in his 2011 PBS concert The Hit Man Returns that this was the only melody that he ever wrote with someone in mind, and that the working title of the piece was actually called "Chaka" because he was very confident that Khan would perform the song.^[4]

Legacy

The song was covered by Peabo Bryson for his 1994 album of the same name.

It was sampled by Kanye West on "Through the Wire",^[5] the breakout single from his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout.

In 2010, Japanese-American singer Ai covered "Through the Fire" on her studio album The Last Ai with Khan. Alongside another song Khan was featured on, "One More Try", the duo were nominated for and won the International Collaboration Artists of the Year award at the 2010 Billboard Japan Music Awards for the two songs.^[6]

Gospel artist Donald Lawrence included a cover of the song, performed by Tobbi White-Darks and Tommi White, on his album YRM (Your Righteous Mind) (2011).^[7]

"Through the Fire" was used as the theme song for the 2021 film My Amanda.^[8]

Music video

The video was filmed in Los Angeles' Union Station. It features Khan singing while strolling among several romantically involved couples. It was directed by Marty Callner.^[9]

Personnel

Musicians

• Chaka Khan – lead and backing vocals
• Nathan East – bass guitar
• John Robinson – drums
• Michael Landau – guitar
• David Foster – keyboards, synthesizer

Production

• David Foster – producer, musical arranger
• Humberto Gatica – producer, audio mixing

Chart history

Chart (1985)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	77
US Billboard Hot 100[11]	60
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[12]	16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13]	15

References

1. "45cat - Chaka Khan - Through The Fire / La Flamme - Warner Bros. - USA - 7-29025". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
2. Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 321.
4. Foster, David (2011). The Hitman Returns: David Foster and Friends. Reprise.
5. Kellman, Andy. "AllMusic Review: The College Dropout (2004)". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
6. "Billboard Japan Music Awards Name Exile Artist Of The Year". Billboard. March 1, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
7. Ruhlmann, William. "AllMusic Review: Donald Lawrence & Co./Donald Lawrence, YRM (Your Righteous Mind)". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
8. Mauricio-Arriola, Tessa (15 July 2021). "Piolo and Alessandra declare 'Through the Fire' a BFF song". The Manila Times. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
9. IMDB.com "Through The Fire" video. Retrieved Aug. 17, 2023.
10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
11. "Chaka Khan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
12. "Chaka Khan Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
13. "Chaka Khan Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2024.