"Stop This Flame" is a song by British singer and songwriter
Celeste. The single was released on 9 January 2020 through Both Sides and
Polydor Records as the second single from her debut studio album Not Your Muse. It was written by Celeste and
Jamie Hartman, who produced the track with
John Hill.[2] The song samples
Nina Simone's version of "
Sinnerman" and Nina Simone is credited as a co-author.
"Stop This Flame" was Celeste's first single of 2020, the year in which she was critically tipped for success by many major publications. Celeste told Dork, "In essence, 'Stop This Flame' is a song about seeing it through to the end. Whether it’s about not letting go of love, not letting go of a dream or stridently coming through some form of adversity. The song has always evoked those feelings within me.”[6] She told Apple Music, "For me when I sing the song, it's about like never ending determination to get that point."[7] The song is "driven by an insistent minor-key piano vamp."[8]
Music video
The song's music video was directed by Leonn Ward and shot in
New Orleans. It premiered on YouTube on 7 February 2020,[9][10] and was later nominated for Best British R&B/Soul Video at the
2020 UK Music Video Awards.[11]
Critical reception
The single was described by Robin Murray of Clash as "a piano-driven stomper that carries a level of euphoria that rivals club culture", whilst comparing it to "
You've Got the Love" by
Florence and The Machine.[12] Peter Helman from Stereogum described as "a catchy and vaguely jazz-indebted uptempo R&B song".[1] The song was described by The Times as "up-tempo, piano-driven
Amy Winehouse".[13]
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ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202023 into search. Retrieved 8 June 2020.