 The production of the song has been described as being a "jeep-friendly beat".According to Emily Manning from i-D "Hot Like Fire features a sizzling, soulful, and bouncing beat (plus an ad-lib Tim ripped from Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner")".On "Hot Like Fire" Aaliyah "hums and moans promises to her new bae that his patience will be rewarded".