Light 'Em Up: Zippo's Ultimate Lighter-in-the-Air Anthem

A landmark poll commissioned by flame icon Zippo reveals which song holds the top spot as the greatest song to spark a stadium light show

Few concert rituals carry the nostalgic weight of a sea of glowing flames held high during a power ballad. Long before smartphones transformed modern arenas into oceans of bright LED flashlights and glowing screens, flicking open a Zippo was the default way for music fans to signal their reverence and connect with a band. It was a iconic rite of passage—thousands of flicked steel casings, small flickering yellow flames, and a unified crowd swaying together in the dark.

On September 7th, 2010, lighter manufacturer Zippo officially surveyed rock fans to name the definitive "lighter in the air song of all time". When the votes were tallied, the crown went to Queen’s 1975 epic, "Bohemian Rhapsody." Taking roughly a third of all votes cast, the Freddie Mercury-penned tour de force proved to be the ultimate catalyst for igniting crowd participation. Blending delicate piano balladry, soaring operatic harmonies, and heavy guitar riffs, the track offers the perfect dynamic build for fans eager to spark a light and sing along at the top of their lungs.

Coming in at number two was another foundational rock masterpiece: Led Zeppelin’s 1971 classic, "Stairway To Heaven." Widely regarded as the blueprint for the modern stadium power ballad, its slow, acoustic burn into an explosive guitar-driven climax made it a natural frontrunner for the silver medal.

Rounding out the top three was Meat Loaf’s grand, bombastic 1993 hit, "I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)." Written by Jim Steinman, the sprawling track captured the dramatic, theatrical flair that defined 1990s rock radio, earning its place among the most cherished sing-along anthems in music history.

Though these days real open flames have largely been replaced by the safe glow of mobile phone flashlights and concert app screens, the spirit of the gesture remains unchanged. Whether illuminated by a classic Zippo flame or a smartphone display, raising a light in a darkened arena remains the ultimate sign of respect between an audience and the stage—and "Bohemian Rhapsody" still stands as the ultimate track to ignite the room.

Sources

• Zippo Manufacturing Company Survey Results (September 2010)
• Contactmusic News Archive
• This Day In Music Archive