The song begins with the fan-like sound of a Leslie speaker cabinet (which eventually fades out) being turned on and the drums begin at bar 2 at 240 bpm. The guitar, bass, organ and vocals join in on bar 10 in the key of A, although most of the song's riff is in Bm.
"Fireball" is an odd song for Deep Purple as it features no guitar solo. Instead it features a bass solo in the key of F#m which then modulates into an organ solo in Bm. The song ends in a fade out with ad-libbing from the organ. The beat is accented with a tambourine played by Ian Gillan.
"Fireball" (take 1 - instrumental), a bonus track on the remastered Fireball album, features a guitar solo near the end, at 3:30, after the fade-out of the original version.
It is one of the only Deep Purple songs to feature Ian Paice using a double-bass pedal; when performed live, a roadie brings on another bass drum to perform the song, only to remove it when it is finished. Hence it is not performed live very often. However, it has been performed during the ongoing Rapture of the Deep Tour.
Fireball
Deep Purple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The magic in your eye bewitches all you gaze upon
You stand up on your hill, behop all around you
They wonder where you're from, oh yeah
They wonder where I found you
Oh my love it's a long way
Where you're from it's a long way
I tried to understand you, I tried to love you right
The way you smile and touch me always sets my heart alight
Your lips are like a fire burning through my soul
And people ask me where you're from
They really wanna know
Oh my soul it's a long way
Where you're from it's a long way
Magic woman wreckin' up my soul
Things you tell me have never been told
Magic woman I don't know
Electric before me, I love you so, I love you so
You're racing like a fireball dancing like a ghost
You're Gemini and I don't know which one I like the most
My head is getting broken and my mind is getting bust
But now I'm coming with you down the road of golden dust
Oh my love it's a long way
Where you're from it's a long way
The golden light above you show me where you're from
The magic in your eye bewitches all you gaze upon
You stand up on your hill, behop all around you
They wonder where you're from, oh yeah
They wonder where I found you
Oh my love it's a long way
Where you're from it's a long way
The lyrics of Fireball by Deep Purple describe a magical and electrifying love that has enchanted the singer. The golden light and magic in the eyes of his lover bewitch all those who gaze upon her. Though she stands alone on a hill, she is adored by many who wonder where she is from. The singer has tried to understand and love her right, but she remains mysterious and elusive.
The imagery of fire is heavily present in the lyrics, with comparisons made to the lover's lips and the racing and dancing movements embodied by her. The singer's head is getting broken and his mind is getting bust, but he is willing to follow her down a road of golden dust anyway. The song portrays a love that is both powerful and fragile, with the singer struggling to keep up with his lover's enigmatic nature.
Overall, Fireball boasts lyrics that are mystical, intense and poetic, with a blend of rock and pop that perfectly complements the theme.
Line by Line Meaning
The golden light above you shows me where you're from
The shining aura that surrounds you reveals your originality and uniqueness.
The magic in your eye bewitches all you gaze upon
Your captivating gaze has the power to fascinate and charm whomever you set your eyes on.
You stand up on your hill behop all around you
You confidently own your individuality and gracefully command attention everywhere you go.
They wonder where you're from, oh yeah
Your extraordinary presence generates curiosity and wonder in those around you.
They wonder where I found you
Your extraordinary presence in my life makes others wonder how I came across someone as incredible and special as you.
Oh my love it's a long way
Our journey together is a challenging and complex one.
Where you're from it's a long way
Your origin is far from my own and has a significant influence on the person you are today.
I tried to understand you, I tried to love you right
I have made an effort to comprehend and accept every aspect of who you are, appreciating your unique qualities and loving you unconditionally.
The way you smile and touch me always sets my heart alight
Your warm and affectionate gestures towards me bring me pure joy and ignite an intense passion within me.
Your lips are like a fire burning through my soul
The intensity of our physical connection is so strong that it feels like a fiery blaze consuming my very being.
And people ask me where you're from, they really wanna know
Others are genuinely curious about your origin, as your extraordinary qualities and unique characteristics make you stand out in their eyes.
Magic woman wreckin' up my soul
You, my enchanting partner, have the power to shake up my emotions and stir my soul in a transformative way.
Things you tell me have never been told
You share your unique perspectives, experiences, and stories with me, revealing insights that are new and thought-provoking to me.
Magic woman I don't know
As extraordinary and captivating as you are, there is still so much I have yet to discover and understand about you.
Electric before me, I love you so, I love you so
Your electrifying presence and the intensity of my love for you are both incredibly powerful and indescribable.
You're racing like a fireball, dancing like a ghost
You move with a vibrant energy and passion that is both thrilling and other-worldly.
You're Gemini and I don't know which one I like the most
Your dual-nature and complexity as a person are both intriguing and bewitching, making it difficult to choose which aspect of you I love the most.
My head is getting broken and my mind is getting bust
The intensity of my feelings for you is overwhelming, to the point where my rational mind is struggling to keep up.
But now I'm coming with you down the road of golden dust
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with our journey together, I am committed to joining you in a path of discovery and adventure.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN GILLAN, IAN PAICE, JON LORD, RITCHIE BLACKMORE, ROGER GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arjay1140
So freaking glad I was around to see Deep Purple live, damn, I was 15 years old. Set list:
Highway Star
Nobody's Home
Strange Kind of Woman
A Gypsy's Kiss
Perfect Strangers
Under the Gun
Knocking at Your Back Door
Lazy
Child in Time
Difficult to Cure
Space Truckin'
Black Night
Speed King
Smoke on the Water
Wow....what a concert!
@deeppink6031
This is yet another classic example of the superiority of the Deep Purple Mark II.
Ian Paice = extremely underrated big band hard rock drummer. Technique, feel and speed.Virtuoso.
Roger Glover = extremely underrated rock bass player, smooth as Jaco just as well as boomy as Entwistle. Virtuoso.
Jon Lord = best rock keyboarder ever. The Hammond and his Lord. A classical music composer of sky high quality as well. R.I.P. Jon. Virtuoso.
Richie Blackmore = extremely underrated rock guitar player. Insanely cool guitar solos. Right up there with Jimi, Eric, Jimmy, Jeff, Duane and Rory. Virtuoso.
Ian Gillan = best rock singer ever. Period. Range and power! Child In Time, anyone? Virtuoso.
Best live band ever. Good compositions + good improvisations + good lyrics = good band.
@ScottyColoradoKid
This (1971) was the first time I had ever heard drums like this.....to me, nobody can touch Ian Paice
@theconfusedmango1719
Bonzo rivals
@ScottyColoradoKid
@@theconfusedmango1719 Bonzo and Moonie; Ian was better....
@cedarneckjams5135
@@ScottyColoradoKid and Bill Ward
@gothia6515
Dont forget Philthy Animal. It was his outstanding performance with Overkill from 1979 which made the double base mainstream in Metal.
@mitchelltrobaugh3814
Ehh you’re wrong. Neil Peart was far superior. Same with Bonham.
@bigbermbikerchannel572
The first speed metal song in the world ❤❤
@RG-ja34sep
Ian Paice is an absolute God of drumming, his playing here is just mind blowing!
@danguee1
I now know I didn't listen to, and appreciate, Paice when I was a boy in the 70s. Sorry, Ian - you are f*&%ing amazing!!!
@cinziaventuroli3167
Absolute genius... Ian sei un grande