| Writer | Jimi Hendrix |
| Producer | Chas Chandler |
| Label | Track |
| Album | Are You Experienced (1967) |
| Influenced By | ‘The Red Rooster’ by Howlin’ Wolf (1961) |
| Influenced On | ‘Sex on Fire’ by Kings of Leon (2008) |
“Fire” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in early 1967. Six months later, it was released as a single and was part of their debut album, “Are You Experienced.” The album was a critical and commercial success and is regarded as one of the greatest ever. Among other great tracks, this album featured songs like “Purple Haze”, “Hey Joe” and “The Wind Cries Mary.”
“Fire” is one of Hendrix’s most well-known songs, thanks partly to the fantastic drumming by Mitch Mitchell. The song is fast, funny, and delightfully intense. Jimi Hendrix’s guitar work is always top-notch—listen to the solos, and you’ll hear his sheer joy while playing. The Experience frequently kicked off their live shows with this electrifying song. It’s no wonder numerous artists have put their spin on “Fire,” including Five by Five (1967), Red Hot Chili Peppers (1988), Trick Bag (1990), Kingston Wall (1992), Nigel Kennedy (1993), The New Mastersounds (2001) and Joan as Police Woman (2009).
But what is the song “Fire” about? What is the origin of this song and the meaning behind its lyrics?
“Fire” Lyrics
Alright
Now dig this, baby
You don’t care for me
I don’t care about that
You got a new fool
Hah, I like it like that
I have only one burnin’ desire
Let me stand next to your fire
(Let me stand next to your fire) hey, let me stand next to your fire
(Let me stand next to your fire) whoa, let me stand, baby
(Let me stand next to your fire) let me stand
(Let me stand next to your fire) yeah, babyListen here, baby
An’ stop actin’ so crazy
You say your mom ain’t home, it ain’t my concern
Just don’t play with me
And you won’t get burned
I have only one itchin’ desire
Let me stand next to your fire
(Let me stand next to your fire) yeah, let me stand, baby
(Let me stand next to your fire) let me stand
(Let me stand next to your fire) oh, let me stand
(Let me stand next to your fire) ohAh, move over Rover
And let Jimi take over
Yeah, you know what I’m talkin’ about
Yeah, get on with it, babyOh
YeahThat’s what I’m talking about
Now dig this, ha
Now listen, baby
You try to give me your money
You better save it, babe
Save it for your rainy day
I have only one burnin’ desire
Let me stand next to your fire, ha
(Let me stand next to your fire) ow, let me stand
(Let me stand next to your fire) oh, let me stand, baby
(Let me stand next to your fire) I ain’t gonna do you no harm
(Let me stand next to your fire) owYeah
Jimi Hendrix – “Fire“
You better move over, baby
I ain’t gonna hurt you, baby
Aw, I ain’t done with your ol’ lady
Ow
Ah, yes, it’s Jimi talkin’ to you
Yeah, baby
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” Meaning
Jimi Hendrix always had a sexual side associated with him. Look at the list of girlfriends he had in a little over four years of his career. In 2008, some sex tapes even surfaced online, giving the song “Fire” a new meaning.
Although Jimi Hendrix had written many lyrics about women and sex, he encouraged people to feel the same desire he did in this song, as seen in the lyrics: ‘I have only one burning desire / Let me stand next to your fire.‘ In a sense, “Fire” reminds us of Robert Johnson singing, ‘Squeeze my lemon till the juice runs down my leg,’ from his 1937 song “Travelling Riverside Blues” and later by Led Zeppelin on “The Lemon Song.”
One chilly New Year’s Eve, after a gig, Noel Redding, the bass player for The Experience, took Jimi to his mother’s house in Folkestone, England. Feeling the cold, Jimi asked Noel’s mum if he could stand by the fireplace to warm up. She said yes, but her German Shepherd was blocking the way. So Hendrix quipped, “Aw, move over, Rover, and let Jimi take over.” Later, Hendrix would joke about the moment with a twist on an old nursery rhyme, saying, “Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to find her poor dog a bone, but when she bent over Rover took over, ’cause Rover had a bone of his own! Shakespeare, page 35!“
Jimi Hendrix’s First Guitar Fire Stunt (And It Wasn’t at Monterey)
Before their album was released, The Experience went on a tour of English cinema houses. These British dates reminded Jimi Hendrix of the revue shows he used to playback on the Chitlin’ Circuit. The headliners were the Walker Brothers, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cat Stevens, and The Experience, who were sharing the bill.
Backstage on the first night of the tour, Jimi, Chas Chandler, and journalist Keith Altham were brainstorming ways for Jimi to stand out amidst such an eclectic lineup. Altham threw a wild idea: “It’s a pity you can’t set your guitar on fire.” Jimi loved the suggestion and immediately sent a roadie out for lighter fluid.
When it was time for the show, and The Experience wrapped up their short five-song set with “Fire,” Jimi poured lighter fluid on his guitar and tossed a match at it. It took three tries, but finally, the guitar caught fire. Jimi spun it around like a windmill, creating a spectacular sight before a stagehand rushed onstage to douse the flames with water.
The first time occurred on March 31, 1967, at The Astoria in London, Monterey Pop Festival was months later, on June 18, 1967.
