"House on Fire" is a song by British singer and songwriter Mimi Webb. It was released on 18 February 2022 through

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...

as the lead single from her debut studio album '' Amelia''. The song debuted at number six on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

, making it her highest debut on the chart.

Critical reception

The song was described as a "catchy, self-incriminating song". Taking her previous singles into account, Tomás Mier of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' called Webb the "queen of breakups". The "upbeat production" was viewed as the singer showing another side of the singer. ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' writer Jason Lipshutz included the song on the "10 cool new pop songs" list of the week, saying that "Webb has dropped a wondrous, biting pop track". He also drew comparisons to Canadian singer Tate McRae: by "singing in this tale of heartbroken arson", Webb combines elements of both "a major-key pop refrain and hit a revenge-fantasy pose". In a mixed review, Jenessa Williams of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' awarded the song 3 out of 5 stars, praising her vocal abilities while calling her songs "unimaginative" and sticking to a "well-rehearsed formula".

Commercial performance

In Ireland, Webb earned her highest chart entry with the song so far. Debuting at number six in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2022, she also reached her highest charting song there, surpassing "

Good Without "Good Without" is a song by British singer Mimi Webb. It was released on 26 March 2021 through Epic Records. The song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. Initially finding an audience due to its use in TikTok videos, the song went o ...

", which had previously peaked at number eight in early 2021. In the United States, the song also surpassed "Good Without" as her highest charting effort on

Mainstream Top 40 Pop Airplay (also called Mainstream Top 40, Pop Songs, and Top 40/contemporary hit radio, CHR) is a 40-song music chart published weekly by Billboard (magazine), ''Billboard'' Magazine that ranks the most popular songs of pop music being played o ...

, before being later surpassed by " Red Flags".

Music video

The music video was released on 18 February 2022 and was directed by KLVDR. It features shots of Webb setting the house of her ex-boyfriend on fire after he had cheated on her. She is then seen dancing with firefighters and posing next to nurses.

Cover versions

Fellow British singer George Ezra covered the song during a BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performance, in addition to performing his song " Green Green Grass" on 19 May.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Mimi Webb 2022 songs 2022 singles Epic Records singles Mimi Webb songs Songs about infidelity Songs written by Pablo Bowman Song recordings produced by Cirkut (record producer)