Catley has started his musical career in band Magnum (founded in 1972). Following Magnum's demise in 1995 and the short-lived Hard Rain project, Catley joined up with Ten vocalist and songwriter Gary Hughes to release the album The Tower (1997), shortly followed by the supporting live album Live At The Gods (1997). Hughes again wrote the material for 1999's Legends release, and the critically acclaimed concept album Middle Earth (2001), which was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Despite rejoining Magnum following their reformation in 2002, Catley has continued his solo career with keyboardist Paul Hodson writing and producing 2003's When Empires Burn, his heaviest solo release to date. His latest solo album, Spirit Of Man (2006) saw yet another change in songwriting as Dave Thompson and Paul Uttley of Lost Weekend, and Vince O'Regan of Pulse did the honours.
As well as his career with Magnum and as a solo artist, Catley has lent his vocal talents to other projects by such artists as Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman, Gary Hughes, Ayreon and Tobias Sammett of Edguy (Avantasia).
Magnum's latest album, Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow was released in 2007 to excellent reviews and Catley has announced plans to record a new solo album towards the end of the year, set for release in 2008.
Fire and Ice
Bob Catley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's got you going crazy
You feel the fever rise
Senses alive
She shades the moonlight
She pales the light of day
She spins your world around
Blinding your eyes
It's just not fair
Your fate is black
You're unaware
As she attacks
Because she's fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
She's got a web of ice
From which there's no escaping
A place where he who dares
Never returns
I tell you no lies
She'll blow your mind away
You think you're safe in there
That's when you burn
The dangers there
Can never pass
This silken lair
This tender trap
She's fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
Away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
Away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
I want to hear you now
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
Not just to dream away
Fire and ice
This could be hell, it could be paradise
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
Not just to dream away
The lyrics of Bob Catley's song "Fire and Ice" describe the intense and unpredictable nature of a romantic relationship. The opening lines of the chorus, "she's fire and ice, this could be hell, it could be paradise," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is deeply attracted to this woman, but recognizes the danger that comes with being in a relationship with her. She is described as having a "web of ice" that entraps those who attempt to escape her, and she is capable of "blowing your mind away."
Despite the dangers, the singer cannot resist this woman's allure. He acknowledges that being with her is like being "so close to heaven," but he also recognizes that it could all come crashing down at any moment. The final lines of the song, "not just to dream away," suggest that the singer wants this relationship to be something real and tangible, rather than just a fleeting fantasy.
Overall, "Fire and Ice" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of passion and the risks that come with pursuing intense relationships. It acknowledges that the thrill of the unknown can be alluring, but it also warns against getting too caught up in the moment and losing sight of the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
You're burning hot tonight
You're feeling so much passion and desire right now
She's got you going crazy
She has the power to drive you wild with desire and need
You feel the fever rise
Your body is heating up with desire and lust
Senses alive
Your senses are heightened and you're fully engaged in the moment
She shades the moonlight
She exudes a mysterious, alluring energy that captivates and intrigues you
She pales the light of day
Her presence is so vibrant and intense that it makes everyday life seem dull in comparison
She spins your world around
Her influence and effect on you is so powerful that it changes your perception of the world around you
Blinding your eyes
You're so caught up in her energy and essence that it's hard to see clearly or think straight
Your fate is black
You're headed for trouble, danger, or some kind of negative outcome
You're unaware
You're oblivious or ignorant of the dangers and risks involved
As she attacks
As she exerts her power and control over you, drawing you deeper into her spell
She's got a web of ice
She has a trap or a seductive lure that's hard to resist, but also cold and dangerous
From which there's no escaping
Once you're caught in her snare, it's hard to break free or resist her pull
A place where he who dares
Only those who take risks or have a bold, fearless attitude can hope to survive or thrive in her domain
Never returns
Those who fall prey to her charm or seduction never come back the same or at all
I tell you no lies
Believe me when I say that this is serious and dangerous
She'll blow your mind away
Her influence and power will overwhelm you and leave you reeling
You think you're safe in there
You might believe that you're in control, but in reality you're at her mercy
That's when you burn
That's when you suffer the consequences of being too close to the flame or too deep under her spell
The dangers there
The risks and perils of being drawn into her web or seduced by her allure
Can never pass
Once you're in, you're in for good, and there's no turning back
This silken lair
This sensual, seductive trap that she has woven around you
This tender trap
This alluring, irresistible snare that she has set to capture you
I want to hear you now
The singer wants to hear the listener's response or reaction to the song's warning about the dangers of fire and ice
Not just to dream away
Don't just let yourself be carried away by fantasy or illusion, but be aware of the real risks and consequences of being drawn into the seductive power of fire and ice
So close to heaven, every hour, every day
The seductive power of fire and ice is so intense and captivating that it feels like a taste of heaven, even though it's actually a dangerous trap
This could be hell, it could be paradise
Depending on how you play your cards or respond to the seductive power of fire and ice, it could either lead to pleasure or pain, heaven or hell
So close to heaven, gone yesterday
The intense, alluring experience of fire and ice is fleeting and temporary, and can quickly lead to regret or sorrow
Away
A repetitive, haunting refrain that has multiple possible meanings, such as the singer urging the listener to move on from the seductive power of fire and ice, or the listener being lost or trapped in the cycle of desire and danger that fire and ice represent
Contributed by Max I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.