Billy first became known to fans in the early 1990s with his appearance on "Star Search." He later earned a recording contract with Liberty Records and rose to national stardom with a string of Top 10 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. His debut song, 1991's "Only Here For a Little While," rose into the Top 5, while the follow up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart," repeated the feat. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" won the 1992 Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year; he also took home the ACM's New Male Vocalist award..
Dean's string of hits continued in the early- and mid-1990s, with songs like "You Don't Count the Cost" (1991); "Only the Wind," "Billy the Kid" and "If There Hadn't Been You" (all 1992); "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" (1993); "We Just Disagree" (a remake of the 1970s Dave Mason hit) (1993); "It's What I Do" and "That Girl's Been Spying on Me" (both 1996).
In 1991 Dean wrote and sang the theme song to the ABC animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. It is titled "Up on the Mesa".
During the late 1990s, his career slowed down a bit, although he made several television appearances, including "One Life to Live" and "Wings." He and Alison Krauss sang backup on Kenny Rogers' 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose". At the time, the song made Kenny the oldest artist to score a country #1; it also marked the only time that Dean reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
In 2004, Dean was signed to Asylum Curb, where he began a comeback with the single "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (a remake of John Denver's classic). In early 2005, he released the album Let Them Be Little, which featured both "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and the title track. "Let Them Be Little" was co-written by Richie McDonald, who at the time was the lead singer of Lonestar; Lonestar also recorded the song on their 2005 album Let's Be Us Again. Dean's version of the song became his first Top Ten hit on the country charts in nearly nine years.
Tryin' To Hide A Fire In The Dark
Billy Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should think of an alibi
Though I'm innocent, I've still got a guilty mind
There's no place that I can turn to
When she turns out the lights
To keep her from seein' you burnin' in my eyes
It's like tryin' to hide a fire in the dark
I cannot conceal it, I cannot put it out
It's like tryin' to hide a fire in the dark
Tryin' to fight a flame I never meant to start
It's out of control and nothin' can help me now
At first it was no problem
Flickering thoughts of you now and then
Nothin' intimate that she could call a sin
Then you sparked my imagination
Temptation 'bout to drive me wild
These flares of desire you can see for miles
It's like tryin' to hide a fire in the dark
Carryin' around this torch in my heart
I cannot conceal it, I cannot put it out
It's like tryin' to hide a fire in the dark
Tryin' to fight a flame I never meant to start
It's out of control and nothin' can help me now
The lyrics to Billy Dean's "Tryin' To Hide A Fire In The Dark" describe the struggle of a man who finds himself truly taken by another woman while already in a committed relationship. He acknowledges that he should come up with an alibi, even though he is not guilty of anything, because his guilty mind and the way he feels is enough. He finds himself unable to control his feelings when he is around this other woman, and even though he tries to hide it, his girlfriend or wife can see right through him. He compares it to trying to hide a fire in the dark, stating that even though he cannot conceal his emotions or put them out, he did not intend to start this flame in the first place.
The character in the song admits that it started as mere thoughts of the other woman, but it has now turned into a full-blown, out-of-control feeling that he cannot ignore. He is beyond the point of temporary infatuation, and the temptation of the other woman is driving him wild. He says that he is carrying around this torch in his heart, which signifies the intensity and persistence of his feelings, despite the fact that he knows they are not right.
This song is a perfect example of the classic trope of being torn between two lovers. The character's internal conflict is palpable, as he grapples with his desires, trying to reconcile them with the guilt and shame of betraying his partner. Nevertheless, the lyrics are beautifully written and convey deep feelings in a way that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
From the thoughts that I've been thinkin'
I am consumed by unfaithful thoughts
I should think of an alibi
I need a convincing excuse in case I get caught
Though I'm innocent, I've still got a guilty mind
Despite not acting on my thoughts, I feel guilty for having them
There's no place that I can turn to
I have nowhere to go to escape my desire
When she turns out the lights
When my partner is not watching me
To keep her from seein' you burnin' in my eyes
I am afraid my desire for someone else will be visible in my eyes
It's like tryin' to hide a fire in the dark
My desire is strong and cannot be hidden
Carryin' around this torch in my heart
I cannot stop my feelings from burning inside of me
I cannot conceal it, I cannot put it out
My desire is too strong to hide or ignore
Tryin' to fight a flame I never meant to start
I did not intend for my desire to become so strong
It's out of control and nothin' can help me now
My desire has become overwhelming and uncontrollable
At first it was no problem
My attraction was not initially a big issue
Flickering thoughts of you now and then
I had occasional, fleeting thoughts about someone else
Nothin' intimate that she could call a sin
I had not acted on my attraction in a way that my partner would consider cheating
Then you sparked my imagination
My attraction grew stronger
Temptation 'bout to drive me wild
I am struggling to resist my desire
These flares of desire you can see for miles
My attraction is becoming more obvious and noticeable
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BILLY DEAN, TIM NICHOLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joshua Brooks
Billy Dean was one of the 90's many underrated singers.
Kim
I love Billy Dean!! His voice is one of a kind when it comes to telling a story!! I listened to them when he first came to country music! I loved them then & still love them in 2022!!❤️❤️❤️
Jennifer Hancock-Abdelnabi
The most underrated country song from the early 90’s
jscountrygirl_326
Billy Dean was really becoming one of my favorite artists when this song came out, and I was only seven. I even had it recorded from the radio on one of my mixed country tapes from back then. I remember enjoying this video too when I first saw it, and now, I still think it's still one of the coolest videos that he's ever done! It fits the song so perfectly.
Ashley Gilliland
Such an amazing voice & he was so completely underrated.
K_H
Song reminding me of a special woman! A older woman who was so happy to have a younger man adore her! A woman who been through Hell & made it out. So glad she is being properly treated now. Thank you for remembering me ☺️
MrHgavino
It made it to # 14 on the Country Charts. It is a good song.
bmon85
MrHgavino #5 actually
MrHgavino
Good song and video. Too be bad you don't here many country songs from the 80's and 90's on country radio any more.
bmon85
It really is. Thank god for You Tube though