Don Williams – We’ve Got A Good Fire Going: A Radiant Celebration of Domestic Warmth and Lasting Contentment
In the winter of our lives, we come to realize that the most precious warmth doesn’t come from the sun above, but from the hearth we have spent decades building with the person we love. Don Williams, with his steady hand and soul-deep baritone, understood this better than anyone. In 1986, he released “We’ve Got A Good Fire Going,” a song that felt like a sanctuary from the cold, frantic energy of the mid-eighties. Serving as a cornerstone of his album New Moves, this track effortlessly climbed to the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. For those of us who remember its debut, it wasn’t just a hit; it was a gentle affirmation of the quiet, enduring success of a happy home.
Released under the Capitol Records banner, the song arrived at a time when country music was beginning to favor high-gloss production. Yet, Don Williams remained the “Gentle Giant,” refusing to let the machinery of the industry drown out the intimacy of his message. Written by the talented Dave Loggins, “We’ve Got A Good Fire Going” is a masterclass in atmosphere. It paints a vivid picture of a world outside that is “cold and gray,” contrasted against the flickering, golden safety of a shared life. To the mature listener, the “fire” in the song is clearly a metaphor for a relationship that has survived the dampening rains of youth and has finally settled into a steady, reliable glow.
The story within the song is one of beautiful, intentional simplicity. It captures that magical hour between the end of the day and the beginning of sleep—a time for “pouring a glass of wine” and “leaving the world behind.” For those who have navigated the long years of raising families and chasing careers, these lyrics speak to the ultimate reward: the peace of the “afterward.” It celebrates the stage of life where the “rushing” is over and the “being” has begun. Williams sings with a soft, knowing smile in his voice, reminding us that while the winds of change may howl against the windows, they cannot touch the warmth we have cultivated inside.
Musically, the track is quintessential Williams. It features that iconic, thumb-picked acoustic guitar rhythm that feels like the ticking of a well-loved clock. The arrangement is spacious, allowing the listener to breathe between the notes. There is a nostalgic comfort in the way the melody sways, evoking memories of rainy evenings spent in the company of a good book and an even better partner. It is a song that honors the “slow burn” of a long-term commitment, proving that the brightest flames aren’t always the ones that produce the most heat.
As we look back on this classic today, “We’ve Got A Good Fire Going” stands as a testament to the power of contentment. It encourages us to look around at the walls we’ve built and the memories we’ve gathered and realize that we are truly rich. Don Williams gave us more than just a melody; he gave us a reason to pull our chairs a little closer together. It is a song for the twilight years, a reminder that as long as we have each other, the fire will never truly go out.