"Keep the Fire Burnin' is a song by REO Speedwagon from their 1982 album Good Trouble. This single was the only track from the Good Trouble album to make the top ten on the pop charts, cresting at number seven.

Background It is also the only tune from the album to feature Kevin Cronin on keyboards (piano), which, although primarily the band's lead singer and acoustic/rhythm guitarist, he had begun using (in the studio) on the You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish album.REO-Speedwagon – Keep the Fire Burning/I'll Follow You single

This is the only song from the band's Good Trouble album to have been performed live in its entirety following its supporting tour in 1983. Despite that fact, however, it is still a significant rarity in the band's setlists that has only been performed a handful of times over the last 35 years. In the past couple of decades, Kevin Cronin has played a shortened version of song during solo acoustic sets during REO concerts. More recently, in 2022 and 2023, the entire band has played a remixed version of the song in its entirety at select concerts. For unknown reasons, the song is the only one of the band's hit singles that was not included on their compilation album The Hits.

Cronin later said of the rushing to complete this song for the album:

Reception Cash Box said that "the song isn't much different from a lot of the band's material since 'Roll with the Changes' and it's just a tad more melodic and uplifting than 'Don't Let Him Go.'" Billboard said that "urgent uptempo rhythms, surging organ and vaulting vocals all continue the platinum style perfected on Hi Infidelity."

Personnel REO Speedwagon Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic piano, acoustic guitar Gary Richrath – electric guitar Neal Doughty – organ Bruce Hall – bass Alan Gratzer – drums

Additional personnel Tom Kelly – backing vocals Richard Page – backing vocals

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1982)PeakpositionCanada (CHUM). CHUM. Retrieved 19 February 2015.2Canadian RPM Singles Chart10Germany Media Control Charts 68US Billboard Hot 100 7US Top Rock Tracks2US Cash Box. Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2015.10US Radio & Records (R&R)REO Speedwagon8

Year-end charts Chart (1982)PositionCanada (RPM Top 100 Singles)88US Billboard Hot 10050US Cash Box. Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2015.63

References