Signed to Polydor in 1984, the band was known for combining Clark's twangy guitar style with Cole's low-key singing style. Particularly notable were Cole's literary lyrics (he was studying Philosophy at the University of Glasgow when the band started) and name-dropping the likes of Norman Mailer, Arthur Lee, Grace Kelly, Truman Capote, Eva Marie Saint, Simone de Beauvoir, and Nancy Sinatra.
For a period in the mid 1980s the band was one of the most successful indie acts in Britain, vying with The Smiths. The band broke up in 1989 amid reports of personality clashes between members, and Cole moved to New York City to pursue a successful solo career. The band reformed in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
Band members
Lloyd Cole (born 31 January 1961) - vocals, guitar, lyricist
Blair Cowan (born 1960?) - keyboards
Lawrence Donegan (born 13 July 1961) - bass guitar
Neil Clark (born 3 July 1955) - guitar
Stephen Irvine (born 16 December 1959) - drums
Forest Fire
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She has promised once before not to live this way
If she don't calm down she will burn herself out
Like a forest fire, well doesn't that make you smile
If you don't slow down, I swear that I'll come round
And mess up your place, let's go for a spin
They say we shouldn't even know each other
And that we'll be undone
I believe in love, I'll believe in anything
That's gonna get me what I want and get me off my knees
Then we'll burn your house down, don't it feel so good
There's a forest fire every time we get together
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Hey pick you up, put you down
Rip you up and spin you round
Just like we said we would
'cause we're a forest fire
Believe you me, we'll tear this place down
If we get caught in this wind then we could burn the ocean
If we get caught in this scene we're gonna be undone
It's just a simple metaphor, it's for a burning love
Don't it make you smile like a forest fire
The lyrics of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions' song Forest Fire speak of a passionate and destructive love that threatens to consume and destroy everything in its path. The opening lines describe a woman getting ready to leave in a hurry, crossing herself in a gesture of desperation. It seems that she has made a promise not to live this way before, but is unable to resist the temptation of the relationship that she has with the singer. The singer warns her that if she doesn't calm down, she'll burn herself out like a forest fire, a metaphor for the intensity and destructiveness of their relationship.
The chorus repeats the metaphor of the forest fire, with the singer warning that they will come round and mess up the woman's place if she doesn't slow down. They both know that they shouldn't be together and that their relationship is unsustainable, but they can't help themselves. The line "I believe in love, I'll believe in anything" suggests a kind of desperation and willingness to believe in anything that will get them what they want.
Overall, the lyrics of Forest Fire capture the intensity, passion, and destructiveness of a love that is doomed to fail. The metaphor of the forest fire is used to convey both the beauty and danger of their relationship, as well as the inevitability of its destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
She crossed herself as she put on her things
She feels guilty about what's going to happen next
She has promised once before not to live this way
She knows the risks of her current lifestyle
If she don't calm down she will burn herself out
If she doesn't change, she'll self-destruct
Like a forest fire, well doesn't that make you smile
The chaos and destruction are enjoyable
If you don't slow down, i swear that i'll come round
If you don't change, I'll intervene
And mess up your place, let's go for a spin
I'll force you to take a wild ride
They say we shouldn't even know each other
Society disapproves of our connection
And that we'll be undone
Our relationship is doomed
Don't it make you smile like a forest fire
The destructive nature of our relationship is exciting
I believe in love, i'll believe in anything
Love is worth believing in, no matter what
That's gonna get me what i want and get me off my knees
Love will provide me with the power and freedom I desire
Then we'll burn your house down, don't it feel so good
We'll destroy what's in our way, and it'll feel satisfying
There's a forest fire every time we get together
Our relationship always escalates into chaos
Hey pick you up, put you down
I'll control and manipulate you
Rip you up and spin you round
I'll cause you pain and confusion
Just like we said we would
We predicted this would happen
'cause we're a forest fire
Our relationship is like a destructive blaze
Believe you me, we'll tear this place down
Our destructive tendencies will ruin everything
If we get caught in this wind then we could burn the ocean
If our chaos persists, we could cause even greater destruction
If we get caught in this scene we're gonna be undone
Our lifestyle will inevitably lead to our downfall
It's just a simple metaphor, it's for a burning love
Our love is like a burning flame
Don't it make you smile like a forest fire
The chaos and destruction of our love is thrilling
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ClueVios
She crossed herself as she put on her things
She has promised once before not to live this way
If she don't calm down she will burn herself out
Like a forest fire, well doesn't that make you smile
If you don't slow down, I swear that I'll come round
And mess up your place, let's go for a spin
They say we shouldn't even know each other
And that we'll be undone
Don't it make you smile like a forest fire
I believe in love, I'll believe in anything
That's gonna get me what I want and get me off my knees
Then we'll burn your house down, don't it feel so good
There's a forest fire every time we get together
Hey pick you up, put you down
Rip you up and spin you round
Just like we said we would
'Cause we're a forest fire
Believe you me, we'll tear this place down
If we get caught in this wind, then we could burn the ocean
If we get caught in this scene, we're gonna be undone
It's just a simple metaphor
It's for a burning love
Don't it make you smile like a forest fire
@ilselangley
I remember listening to this album while I was in rehab.. (did not beat it back then. it took me a few years more but I finally did it on my own and that was 23 years ago.) Still love this album.
@achn2b
What a friggin' solo at the end. Just brilliant.
@thestranger11
dun dun duuuuun dun dun duuuun duoooooouuuun!
@tonybaloni2286
one of my favorite tunes of all time fantastic distinctive voice brilliant lyrics.
@MrLeeJoe
A timeless song, even the guitar feedback at the end makes the hairs on me neck stand up!...Thanks
@bartdaems4233
after all this time it is still a great song
@stunman1000
Still a fabulous record ,loved it from the day I saw it on The Tube tv show 🙌
@christophemeasson5190
I remember singing this song in front of a mirror in 84 or 85 I was 14 -15 and thinking about a girl at school I wanted to go out with maybe if I memorized the song I could sing it to her but that was in my mind I was way too shy
@bertFX
Brilliant tune. I love the guitar break in it.
@notoroiousaardvark5973
Just got home from watching Lloyd Cole. Finished with this. It was a set of pure genius. My love holds no bounds. We even got Prince, Leonard Cohen and Brand New Friend merged with Heroes. William Cole is a major talent too. Stunning evening.