The founding members of the band were drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz. In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when Schwartz left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band then released its debut album Yer' Album. In July of 1970, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again which included the hit single "Funk #49." By this time, Dale Peters had replaced Kriss on bass. The band opened for The Who during a tour of Britain. After two more albums, Thirds, with the single "Walk Away,", and the live album James Gang Live in Concert, Walsh left the band to perform solo and later join the Eagles.
Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. Troiano left to join Guess Who and was replaced by Tommy Bolin. Bolin left in 1974 to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. After two albums, "Bang" and "Miami", Bolin was replaced by vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack, who made "Newborn" (which featured a cover of the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel"). The band broke up following a final recording, "Jesse Come Home" (which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James), which was made with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo. Fox was the only remaining member of the original quintet when they disbanded early in 1977.
The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton in 1996, appearances on The Drew Carey Show in the 1998-99 season, and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February 2001, drawing fans from all over the globe.
As of May 2004, Glenn Schwartz was playing guitar and singing Thursday nights at "Major Hooples" in the Flats, Cleveland.
In summer 2006 the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group toured the United States. In August 2006, the trio appeared performing live on The Howard Stern radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
Wildfire
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She takes pictures all night long
Takes my hard-earned dough all saved
Makes me feel all alone
Caught her upstairs when she lies
Her last affair never ends
When we're out her hungry eyes
So pour me one more cup of coffee
I gotta call one more telephone call
Either way things don't look so good
Nobody wants to help me at all
If she answers she won't say
She got secrets she won't show
I'll teach her proper ways
Gonna teach her never to say no
She's wildfire, set to burn
Wildfire, set to burn
You bet your ass she never thinks
Of anyone else but her
So pour me one more cup of coffee
Time for one more telephone call
The song Wildfire by James Gang is about a man who is in love with a woman who is manipulative and selfish. In the first verse of the song, the man talks about how he works hard to earn money to support the woman he loves, but she takes it all and leaves him feeling alone. He also knows that she is cheating on him, but he still stays with her, despite feeling like he is being taken advantage of. When they go out together, the woman flirts with his friends, making him feel more insecure and unfortunate.
In the second verse, the man wants to confront the woman but he knows she is hiding something from him. He wants to teach her proper ways and show her how to be faithful, but he also knows that she is like a wildfire, always set to burn and destroy anything in her path. The song ends with the man asking for one more cup of coffee, hoping for a solution to his problems, or someone to help him, but he knows deep down that he is on his own.
Overall, James Gang's Wildfire is a song about heartbreak, betrayal, and a toxic relationship that seems to be going nowhere. It is a warning to anyone who is in love with someone who treats them poorly and a reminder that sometimes it is better to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
I pull switches for the rail
I work hard and efficiently to keep the trains running smoothly.
She takes pictures all night long
She enjoys taking pictures throughout the night, even if it means sacrificing sleep.
Takes my hard-earned dough all saved
She spends all the money that I have worked hard to save up.
Makes me feel all alone
Her actions make me feel isolated and unsupported.
Caught her upstairs when she lies
I caught her lying in the upstairs area.
Her last affair never ends
She has a history of cheating and it seems like it will never stop.
When we're out her hungry eyes
When we're in public, she is always looking at other men with desire.
Make love - ooh - to all my friends
She cheats on me with my friends.
So pour me one more cup of coffee
I need another cup of coffee to cope with my stressful situation.
I gotta call one more telephone call
I need to make one more desperate telephone call for help.
Either way things don't look so good
No matter what happens, the situation looks bleak.
Nobody wants to help me at all
No one is willing to assist me in my time of need.
If she answers she won't say
If she answers the phone, she won't give any useful information.
She got secrets she won't show
She is hiding important secrets and won't reveal them.
I'll teach her proper ways
I will educate her on how to behave properly.
Gonna teach her never to say no
I will make sure that she never refuses my requests again.
She's wildfire, set to burn
She is like a wildfire, uncontrollable and destructive.
Wildfire, set to burn
She is like a wildfire, uncontrollable and destructive.
You bet your ass she never thinks
She is selfish and only focuses on her own desires.
Of anyone else but her
She only cares about herself.
Time for one more telephone call
I need to make one more desperate telephone call for help.
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
johnny zell
I pull switches for the rail
She takes pictures all night long
Takes my hard-earned dough all saved
Makes me feel all alone
Caught her upstairs when she lies
Her last affair never ends
When we're out her hungry eyes
Make love - ooh - to all my friends
So pour me one more cup of coffee
I gotta call one more telephone call
Either way things don't look so good
Nobody wants to help me at all
If she answers she won't say
She got secrets she won't show
I'll teach her proper ways
Gonna teach her never to say no
She's wildfire, set to burn
Wildfire, set to burn
You bet your ass she never thinks
Of anyone else but her
So pour me one more cup of coffee
Time for one more telephone call
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Stan Williams
I have so many memories associated with almost all of this album! This one was always a feel good song!
Break My Legs!
I don't like the vocal rthyem or the effects on the singers voice, It's a shame because he ruined a gem
Rick Smith
This song gets stuck in my head.....Tommy Bolin
juggalo2112
This albums almost as good as Bang. Tommy was the man! This album and Bang were the bands best albums as far as Im concerned. NEXT!!
johnny zell
I pull switches for the rail
She takes pictures all night long
Takes my hard-earned dough all saved
Makes me feel all alone
Caught her upstairs when she lies
Her last affair never ends
When we're out her hungry eyes
Make love - ooh - to all my friends
So pour me one more cup of coffee
I gotta call one more telephone call
Either way things don't look so good
Nobody wants to help me at all
If she answers she won't say
She got secrets she won't show
I'll teach her proper ways
Gonna teach her never to say no
She's wildfire, set to burn
Wildfire, set to burn
You bet your ass she never thinks
Of anyone else but her
So pour me one more cup of coffee
Time for one more telephone call
Embed
MORE ON GENIUS
Dave Tucmantel
saw James Gang w/ Bolin @ the Hollywood Palladium in 1975. Lynard Skynard played too. So did Brownsville Station. The opening band on the 4 band bill was either Focus or Slade. It cost $3.50 to get in.
Charles Demetri
Dave you are a very man!!!! Had to be an incredible show!! $3.50!!!!!
sonicpilgrim
Tommy lives forever!!!!!!
1959jammin
Pure Awesomeness ♫
Dave Brewer
This Songs hails from the day when Artists wrote or did Complete Lps. Most every Song is a Gem . Bolin was a Huge Loss and still missed even Today . I would Hope that that this and Many other Bolin Gems will be discovered by a New generation ? Thank You bringing back some wonderful Memories .