During the long road gigs, David Bellamy discovered that he had a talent for songwriting. It was his lyrics that eventually made it possible for the duo to become an international act. This breakout came eventually in form of the hit "Spiders and Snakes," which sold more than three million units and brought the Bellamy Brothers to L.A. music scene.
The duo was very well-known at the time; however, they were not yet famous internationally. That all changed with the crossover single "Let Your Love Flow" in 1976, the song becoming instant smash worldwide. It remained on charts long enough to build an appreciable international fan base, which exists to this date. For example, in Germany the song stayed a number one hit for two months.
Their music gradually became more and more country-like. By the late '70s, another hit followed: "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)". Just like "Let Your Love Flow" put them on pop charts a few years earlier, this song did just the same with the country charts.
During the early to mid 1980s, the Bellamy Brothers were among the most dominant duos in country music. In that span, they scored eight No. 1 singles on the Billboard magazine country singles chart, including "Sugar Daddy" and "Dancin' Cowboys" (1980); "Do You Love as Good as You Look" (1981); "For All the Wrong Reasons" and "Redneck Girl" (1982); "When I'm Away From You" (1983); "I Need More of You" (1985); and "Kids of the Baby Boom" (1987). They also shared a No. 1 duet with the Forester Sisters with 1986's "Too Much is Not Enough."
Other important hits in the Bellamys' discography were "You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie" (1979); "Lovers Live Longer" (1980); "You're My Favorite Star" (1981); "Reggae Cowboy" (1982); "Strong Weakness" and "I Love Her Mind" (1983); "Forget About Me" and "World's Greatest Lover" (1984); "Old Hippie" and "Lie to You For Your Love" (1985); "Feelin' the Feelin'" (1986); "Crazy From the Heart" (1987); "Santa Fe" and "Rebels Without a Clue" (1988); "Big Love" and "You'll Never Be Sorry" (1989); "I Could Be Persuaded" (1990); and "Cowboy Beat" (1992).
The Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association Awards (CMA) for most duo nominations. Throughout their career, they have released at least two dozen hit songs outside the U.S. that were never released in the United States.
Crossfire
Bellamy Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you've pushed and life won't go
Your dreams get lost and your sorrows grow
You read and try to watch TV
Take a drive out to the sea
You might break down but you can't break free
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Dream your eyes are almost blind
They photograph your mind
And leave a trace of her love in time
Night's, you live the smokey past
Try to break the spell she cast
You start out first but you end up last
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Crossfire
Live wire
Crossfire
The lyrics to "Crossfire" by Bellamy Brothers evoke feelings of being trapped and lost, unable to break free from the mental and emotional struggles one may be facing. The opening lines describe how sometimes no matter how hard one tries, their troubles won't go away, causing their dreams to fade and their sorrows to deepen. In an attempt to distract from the pain, the singer tries various activities, like reading, watching TV, and going for a drive, but they can't escape the feeling that they're stuck in a metaphorical crossfire - caught in the middle of a battle between their thoughts and emotions.
The chorus of the song continues with the image of being in a crossfire, hanging from a live wire and reaching for a lost smile - perhaps referencing the memory of a happier time before their troubles began. They are seeking something to hold onto, searching for a friend or reason to keep going. The use of the metaphor of a high wire emphasizes the dangerous nature of the situation they find themselves in, balancing precariously between hope and despair.
The second verse paints a picture of a restless night plagued by memories and regrets, suggesting that the pain of the past is still alive and well. The singer is trying to break free from the spell of a lost love, but it seems to have a hold over them, causing them to feel like they are constantly falling behind. The chorus repeats, highlighting once again the feeling of being stuck in the middle of a conflict, looking for a way out.
Overall, "Crossfire" is a poignant song that captures the struggles of feeling lost and alone, searching for something to hold onto in the face of emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep some nights it just don't show
Some nights it's difficult to fall asleep due to the overwhelming burden of all the things you've been pushing for
When you've pushed and life won't go
You've been fighting for a better life but life isn't going as planned
Your dreams get lost and your sorrows grow
As your dreams get more and more distant, you find yourself more and more weighed down by sorrow and sadness
You read and try to watch TV
To cope with the tough times, you try to distract yourself by reading or watching TV
Take a drive out to the sea
Sometimes, you try to escape your problems by taking a drive to the ocean, where you feel a sense of freedom and peace
You might break down but you can't break free
Even though you may feel like you're breaking down, you can't escape the struggles you're facing
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Feeling trapped in a dangerous and precarious situation
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Trying to find a sense of happiness and safety, but feeling like it's out of reach, like trying to catch the wind
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Looking for a purpose and a sense of connection in life
Dream your eyes are almost blind
Your dreams are so far away that they seem out of focus
They photograph your mind
Your memories and desires are so deeply ingrained that they feel like they've been imprinted in your mind
And leave a trace of her love in time
A memory of a lost love lingers on and continues to affect you even as time passes
Night's, you live the smokey past
Memories of the past haunt you, like the lingering smoke of a fire that has long gone out
Try to break the spell she cast
Trying to escape the emotional hold someone has on you
You start out first but you end up last
Even though you may have started off strong, you end up feeling like you're falling behind and losing the fight
Crossfire
A dangerous and difficult situation you're facing
Live wire
A precarious and unstable state you're in
Crossfire
A dangerous and difficult situation you're facing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Careaga, Richard Louis Holler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronan David
In manchen Nächten kann man einfach nicht schlafen
Wenn du dich angestrengt hast und das Leben nicht läuft
Deine Träume gehen verloren und dein Kummer wächst
Du liest und versuchst fernzusehen
Fährst raus ans Meer
Du magst zusammenbrechen, aber du kannst nicht entkommen
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, hänge an einem stromführenden Draht
Greife nach einem verlorenen Lächeln und verstecke mich im Wind
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, bin auf einem Hochspannungsdraht gestrandet
Ich renne aus einem Grund und bin auf der Suche nach einem Freund
Träume, deine Augen sind fast blind
Sie fotografieren deinen Verstand
Und hinterlassen eine Spur ihrer Liebe in der Zeit
Nachts lebst du die rauchige Vergangenheit
Versuche, den Zauber zu brechen, den sie ausgesprochen hat
Du fängst als Erster an, aber du endest als Letzter
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, hänge an einem stromführenden Draht
Greife nach einem verlorenen Lächeln und verstecke mich im Wind
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, bin auf einem Hochspannungsdraht gestrandet
Ich renne aus einem Grund und suche nach einem Freund
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, hänge an einem stromführenden Draht
Greife ich nach einem verlorenen Lächeln und verstecke mich im Wind
Stehe im Kreuzfeuer, bin auf einem Hochspannungsdraht gestrandet
Ich renne aus einem Grund und suche nach einem Freund
Kreuzfeuer
Hochspannungsdraht
Kreuzfeuer
Petra Hfr
Sleep some nights it just don't show
When you've pushed and life won't go
Your dreams get lost and your sorrows grow
You read and try to watch TV
Take a drive out to the sea
You might break down but you can't break free
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Dream your eyes are almost blind
They photograph your mind
And leave a trace of her love in time
Night's, you live the smokey past
Try to break the spell she cast
You start out first but you end up last
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Standin' in the crossfire, hangin' from a live wire
Reachin' for a lost smile and hidin' in the wind
Standin' in the crossfire, stranded on a high wire
Runnin' for a reason and lookin' for a friend
Crossfire
Live wire
Crossfire
Michelle Prie
This great song deserves a lot more views!!! ❤
Jeridah_Poems
It's 2021 and I'm still enjoying this hit, I can say it's a good jam for a mellow day.
David Bapty
Superb track,reached 17 in the West German charts in 1977
Julia Rose
Love , love this song 🎵 melodic indeed , how did I miss their tour in South Africa. 😢
John Middleton
Have you ever heard two voices in better sync than this ? .. fantastic song
Paul Brose
One of the Greatest Hits from the Bellamy Brothers ! , the years of best Music ever.
June Van Staden
Absolutely agree. May 2020
Doro
thank you for this Memory to parents🙏❤🙏.. when I was child, my Parents have often dance to this music, also with me🤗❤..I liked it too..the harmony sound..so great to listen this now..❤
Victor De Smet
I believe this the best song of this group, thanks endlessly for sharing it!
Lex Soft
My List :
1. Let Your Love Flow
2. Lovin On
3. Lovers Live Longer
4. If I Said You Have ......
5. Inside of My Guitar
6. ....hmm, Maybe this one or Forget About Me