Jon English (born Jonathan James English, 26 March 1949; died 9 March 2016)… Read Full Bio ↴Jon English (born Jonathan James English, 26 March 1949; died 9 March 2016) was an English-born Australian singer, songwriter, musician and actor. English emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sebastian Hardie but left to take on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar from May 1972, which was broadcast on television. English is also a noted solo singer, his Australian top twenty hit singles include "Turn the Page", "Hollywood Seven", "Words are Not Enough", "Six Ribbons" and "Hot Town".

English was acclaimed for his starring role in the 1978 Australian TV series Against the Wind - he won the TV Week Logie Award for 'Best New Talent in Australia'. He also co-wrote and performed the score with Mario Millo (ex-Sebastian Hardie). The series had international release, known as Mot alla vindar (1980) in Scandinavia,[7] where both "Six Ribbons" and "Against the Wind" were released as singles, both singles and the soundtrack album peaked at #1 on the Norwegian charts; the first single, "Six Ribbons" and the album, peaked at #4 on the Swedish charts.

During 1983-1985, English won four Mo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985. English has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore from 1984. Performances of Essgee Entertainment's productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan trilogy from 1994 to 1997 were broadcast on Australian TV, they were all released on VHS and subsequently on DVD.

Play With Fire
Jon English Lyrics

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Oh girl you've got your diamonds
And you've got your pretty clo-othes
And a chauffeur drives your car
You let everybody know-ow

Don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire
Don't play with me gir-irl, you're playin' with fire

Well you never hear of an heirress
Owns a block in St John's Woo-ood
And your father'd be there with her-er
If he only cou-ou-ou-ould

Sayin', don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire
Don't play with me gir-irl, you're playin' with fire

Well your old man, he took her diamonds
And tiaras by the score-ore
Now she gets her kicks in Sydney
Not in Knightsbridge anymore-ore

No don't, you don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire-ire
Don't play with me gir-irl, you're playin' with fire

And you're gonna bur-urn,
You're gonna burn
Yeah, you're gonna burn,
You're gonna bur-urn

You don't play with me girl, you're gonna get bur-urned
No-o, no, don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire

Ooh I know you've got some diamonds
And you will have some others
But you better watch your step girl
Or start livin' with your mother

But don't, you don't play with me girl, you're gonna get bur-urned
Sayin', don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire
Don't play with me girl, you're gonna get bur-urned

Do-on't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire-ire
And you're gonna burn

Overall Meaning

Play With Fire by Jon English is a song that cautions a girl who is using her wealth and affluence to flaunt and manipulate others. In the first verse, the girl is described as someone who has diamonds, wears expensive clothes, and has a chauffeur to drive her around. She lets everyone know about her status and feels that she’s above everyone else. The singer warns her not to play with him because she's playing with fire. The second verse describes a woman who inherited a block in St John's Wood, an affluent area of London. Even her father would rather be with her than with his own wife. However, she was robbed of her diamonds and tiaras and now lives in Sydney, not in Knightsbridge anymore. The singer warns her that she will burn if she continues to play with fire.

Overall, Play With Fire is a song that warns against the dangers of flaunting wealth and using it to manipulate others. The singer warns the woman that she would get burned if she continues to play with fire, suggesting that she is crossing a line and that her actions have consequences. The lyrics are straightforward, with a simple melody and a catchy chorus that is easily memorable.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh girl you've got your diamonds
You have a collection of precious gems

And you've got your pretty clo-othes
You possess high-end clothing

And a chauffeur drives your car
You have a personal driver who operates your car

You let everybody know-ow
You show off your wealth to others

Don't play with me girl, you're playin' with fire
Beware of the consequences of provoking me

Well you never hear of an heiress
It's uncommon to come across women of enormous wealth

Owns a block in St John's Woo-ood
Who possess entire neighborhoods

And your father'd be there with her-er
Your dad is always in her company

If he only cou-ou-ou-ould
If he could do better for her, he would

Well your old man, he took her diamonds
Her dad took her precious gems

And tiaras by the score-ore
As well as a lotta tiaras