After recording their first album, which featured the single Talking to a Stranger, the band traveled to Germany to record with famed producer Conny Plank. In 1984, the band reorganized, adding a three-piece horn section and losing the second guitarist. By 1986, the band's style was moving away from the sweat-drenched rhythmic jams of their early days to a more song-centered aproach centered on Seymour (whose younger brother Nick was a member of Crowded House). Throw Your Arms Around Me was a successful single in many countries.
The band was never able to match the worldwide attention they reached in 1986, though they continued to record with considerable success in Australia, and maintained a loyal fanbase elsewhere.
They broke up in 1998, but returned to play one concert on 14 March 2009 for "Sound Relief" at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis.
Everythings On Fire
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I call out your name in the dark
You'll know that I've been tempted
And I'll know that I've got no heart
And I'll know I won't be expected
And you'll think we're drifting apart
And I might as well be blowing at the top of the world
When my fingers find your body in the dark
Everything's on fire
Everything's on fire
So if I don't come home before midnight
And I can't find the keyhole in the dark
Burn the place down
Make it glow like christmas
The tenderness that's burning in my heart
Everything's on fire
Everything's on fire...
If you can't open your eyes in the morning
If some maniac has been and left his mark
I'll be round to sift through the cinders
Lift the lid and take the thing apart
Everything's on fire
Everything's on fire
Everything's on fire
Everything's on fire...
So to all you feelers and fumblers
Waiting for the fireworks to start
Do it now--blow it up yourself
Unbutton the butcher in your heart
And if I don't come home before midnight
And I can't find the keyhole in the dark
You'll know, you'll know that I've been tempted
You'll know, you'll know we're drifting apart
Everything's on fire (x12)
The song "Everything's On Fire" by Hunters & Collectors talks about the temptation and desire that can drive a person to cheat on their partner. The first verse describes the fear of getting caught and the guilt that comes with infidelity. The line "And you'll think we're drifting apart" hints at the potential consequences of cheating – a strained relationship or even a breakup.
The chorus "Everything's on fire" is a metaphor for the intensity of emotions felt by both the singer and their partner. The fire could represent burning passion, but also destructive jealousy and anger. The line "Burn the place down, make it glow like christmas" could be interpreted as a desire to start anew or a willingness to destroy everything in their path to achieve their desires. It's a dark and powerful image of love and lust spreading like a wildfire.
The final verse is a call to action, encouraging listeners to give in to their desires and not wait for the world to explode around them. The line "Unbutton the butcher in your heart" is a metaphor for letting go and embracing one's primal instincts.
Overall, "Everything's On Fire" is a provocative and intense exploration of the complex emotions that come with temptation, desire, and infidelity.
Line by Line Meaning
If I don't come home before midnight
If I fail to return before midnight
And I call out your name in the dark
And I shout your name in the darkness
You'll know that I've been tempted
You'll understand that I've been tempted
And I'll know that I've got no heart
And I'll realize that I am heartless
And I'll know I won't be expected
And I'll realize that I won't be awaited
And you'll think we're drifting apart
And you'll assume we're moving away from each other
And I might as well be blowing at the top of the world
And it would be like I'm screaming at the peak of the world
When my fingers find your body in the dark
When my hands touch your body in the darkness
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
So if I don't come home before midnight
So if I fail to return before midnight
And I can't find the keyhole in the dark
And I cannot locate the keyhole in the darkness
Burn the place down
Destroy the place by setting it on fire
Make it glow like christmas
Make it shine like Christmas lights
The tenderness that's burning in my heart
The affection that is burning within me
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
Everything's on fire...
It's like everything is burning
If you can't open your eyes in the morning
If you cannot open your eyes in the morning
If some maniac has been and left his mark
If some crazy person has come and left his signature
I'll be round to sift through the cinders
I'll come to go through the ashes
Lift the lid and take the thing apart
Open it and analyze it well
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
Everything's on fire
It's like everything is burning
Everything's on fire...
It's like everything is burning
So to all you feelers and fumblers
So to all of you who struggle with emotions
Waiting for the fireworks to start
Awaiting the moment of excitement to begin
Do it now--blow it up yourself
Do it right away by yourself
Unbutton the butcher in your heart
Release the killer in your heart
And if I don't come home before midnight
And if I fail to return before midnight
And I can't find the keyhole in the dark
And I cannot locate the keyhole in the darkness
You'll know, you'll know that I've been tempted
You'll recognize that I've been tempted
You'll know, you'll know we're drifting apart
You'll acknowledge that we're moving away from each other
Everything's on fire (x12)
It's like everything is burning
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN MELVILLE LEE ARCHER, DOUGLAS JAMES FALCONER, JOHN ALBERT HOWARD, ROBERT DAVID MILES, MARK JEREMY SEYMOUR, JEREMY STUART SMITH, MICHAEL BERNARD WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
capnnod
This was one of their greatest tracks, punchy bass lines, great horns, stunning voclas,has to be played loud!
Sax73
Spot on,brilliant.
Trent Howlett
Such a unique voice, one of the greats.
Keith Podhradsky
Dare I say, pretty close to Nick Heyward in tone.
Troy Haines
Memories. Amazing band to see live.
Gautam Dev
Oh, great memories indeed ! I miss Melbourne so much, especially the music
Kylie Hodges
I love that they called their brass section "the brasstards"
Sax73
Wow so miss these guys. So fuggin good.
DKashman
I have loved this band this song the album it came from...But have never watched the clip till now.....I was gonna add it to a FB post..But thought better not seems half of Victoria is a blaze at the moment...
Deborah Curtis
Excellent impulse-control. The song is of course electrifying and there are times, like just now, when I simply MUST listen to it. Loudly.