John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
Light The Fuse
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No volcano ever burned so bright.
You give me fevers when you hold me tight.
Only you know how to touch me right.
I'm just like a time bomb,
Waiting to ignite the fuse.
I'm like a stallion at the starting gate.
My emotions goin' all haywire.
My love is burnin' like a forest fire.
Give me the signal,
Come on up and light the fuse!
Temperature risin' like a mornin' sun,
His horizon got nowhere to run.
My love for you is like a smoking gun.
Pull my trigger now let's have some fun.
You can ignite me,
So come on up ignite the fuse.
The first verse of John Mayall's song, "Light the Fuse," describes the powerful effect his lover has on him. He compares his howling to that of a wolf, showing his intense desire and passion for his partner. The metaphor of a volcano burning bright is also used to express the intensity of his emotions. Mayall continues to describe the physical sensations he experiences when his lover holds him tight, suggesting that their physical intimacy is integral to their connection.
Moving on to the chorus, Mayall compares himself to a time bomb, waiting to ignite the fuse. This reinforces the idea that his passion and desire for his partner are explosive and potentially dangerous. He then switches to the metaphor of a stallion at the starting gate, unable to concentrate on anything but his overwhelming emotions. He likens his love to a forest fire, which further emphasizes the destructive and all-consuming nature of his feelings. Mayall calls on his partner to give him the signal to light the fuse, showing that he is ready and eager to take their relationship to the next level.
In the final verse, Mayall describes his rising temperature as he becomes increasingly consumed by his love for his partner. He compares their love to a smoking gun and calls on his partner to pull the trigger and ignite the fuse. This represents his willingness to surrender himself entirely to their passion and desire.
Overall, "Light the Fuse" expresses the intensity, passion, and danger of a romantic relationship that is about to explode. Mayall's use of vivid and evocative metaphors creates a sense of urgency and excitement that reflects the powerful emotions experienced in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Got me howlin' like a wolf at night.
You make me feel alive and wild with passion.
No volcano ever burned so bright.
Your love is intense and powerful, like a volcano erupting.
You give me fevers when you hold me tight.
Being close to you makes me feel hot with desire.
Only you know how to touch me right.
Your touch is unique and perfect for me.
I'm just like a time bomb, Waiting to ignite the fuse.
I am full of energy and passion, just waiting for the right spark to set me off.
I'm like a stallion at the starting gate.
I am restless and eager to go, but need direction and guidance.
I try to work but I can't concentrate.
My thoughts are consumed by my love for you, making it hard to focus on anything else.
My emotions goin' all haywire.
My feelings are all over the place, intense and overwhelming.
My love is burnin' like a forest fire.
My love for you is passionate, all-consuming and unstoppable.
Give me the signal, Come on up and light the fuse!
I am ready for you to take the lead and set our passion free.
Temperature risin' like a mornin' sun, His horizon got nowhere to run.
Our love is growing hotter and more intense, with no escape for either of us.
My love for you is like a smoking gun.
My love for you is powerful and undeniable, like the evidence from a gun being fired.
Pull my trigger now let's have some fun.
Let's give into our passion and enjoy it fully.
You can ignite me, So come on up ignite the fuse.
Only you have the power to set me off, so I am waiting for you to make your move.
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.