This is one of those songs that right from the first listen I loved. The accompaniment on the instruments are cool, the lyrics are risque, without being overtly perverse, and it makes me dance and smile.
I first heard of the Kings of Leon, a few years ago, they opened for another favorite artist, that my sister went to see, she raved about the entire show, and I heard a bit of their stuff hear and there. When 'Sex on Fire' was released in 2008, and I had heard it the first time... I wasn't quite sure I was understanding what I was hearing.
I looked up the lyrics, and sure enough, I understood it just right. If you are reading the lyrics for the first time, yes it is about foreplay.
Lay where you're laying, don't make a sound
I know they're watching, they're watching
All the commotion, the kiddie like play
Has people talking, talking
You, your sex is on fire
The dark of the alley, the breaking of day
The head while I'm driving,
I'm driving
Soft lips are open, knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying, you're dying
You, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire
Hot as a fever, rattling bones
I could just taste it, taste it
If it's not forever, if it's just tonight
Oh, it's still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest
You, your sex is on fire
And you, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire
And you, your sex is on fire
Consumed with what's to transpire