Through the Fire

Through the Fire

Chaka Khan

“Through the Fire” is a song from Chaka Khan’s 1984 album, I Feel for You. This romantic song is about someone who is so certain that she’s met the love of her life, she’s willing to put it through any test. It was written by David Foster, Tommy Keane and Cynthia Weil.

Kanye West famously sampled the hook in his 2002 single “Through the Wire.” A terrible car accident almost killed Kanye in October 2002, leaving his jaw was broken in 3 places. He had emergency surgery to have a a metal plate put in his chin. When he was in his hospital bed, with his mouth wired shut, he heard Chaka Khan’s song “Through The Fire” playing in the background on a CD player. He was just lying back, then he heard her voice melodically singing the line, “Right down to the wire, even through the fire.” The emotional appeal inspired Kanye to write and record a song about his own experiences, sampling Chaka Khan.

Kanye sped up and pitched up the hook, giving rise to his classic “Chipmunk Soul” sample style. This was a big hit, and the sample helped jump-start Kanye’s career.