Fire
Patterson Hood Lyrics
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the oven on, you calling me a liar? Flames are in the attic everything is
charred, all my waterlogged shit is laying in the yard
Smells like something's burning, it smelt that way before
Something's always flaming in this neighborhood I'm sure. Everything
changes so fast you never know, only ahes remain of everything I own
always stinking now that I think of it. It stinks to be you my dear,
stinks to me too. Gonna burn your playhouse down if it's the last
thing I do. People always seem to destroy what they love, them big ole
brains steer us wrong when push comes to shove. Now I'm standing
here with the matches all lit hoping that my shoopish grin will get me
out of it
Smell like somthing's burning, the red-hot coals of hell, give them
something to talk about and the stories they will tell about how he was
a good man and how far he fell, but you'll know I'm coming by the
smell
Don't call the Fire Department, this town's been burned down
Flashing embers crashing through burning wall of sound
Brothers like to fight but I won't be found. Ashes blowing in the breeze
No one else around
Smells like something's burning...
Patterson Hood's song "Fire" is a poignant exploration of loss, destruction, and the fleeting nature of material possessions. The opening lines of the song depict a burning kitchen and an accusatory conversation, hinting at the singer's complicity in the fire. As the song continues, it becomes clear that the burning of the kitchen is just one example of the pervasive destruction in the singer's life. He sings about the constant flames in his neighborhood, and the transience of everything he owns. The verse "People always seem to destroy what they love, them big ole brains steer us wrong when push comes to shove," exemplifies the song's theme of the ultimate futility of attachment to material possessions.
The lyrics of "Fire" are rich with imagery that evokes the devastation of loss. The line "all my waterlogged shit is laying in the yard" speaks to the violence of the fire, while "the red-hot coals of hell" conjures images of eternity and damnation. The final stanza of the song presents a kind of epiphany, as the singer confronts the reality of a world that has been burned down. The refrain of "smells like something's burning" takes on a new meaning, as it becomes a symbol not only of destruction, but of the inevitability of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Smell like something's burning, the kitchen is on fire, I didn't leave
the oven on, you calling me a liar? Flames are in the attic everything is
charred, all my waterlogged shit is laying in the yard
There's a fire in my house and I didn't cause it. Everything is going up in flames and my possessions are ruined.
Smells like something's burning, it smelt that way before
Something's always flaming in this neighborhood I'm sure. Everything
changes so fast you never know, only ahes remain of everything I own
There always seems to be something burning in this neighborhood. Everything is changing so quickly that I can't keep up, and now everything I own is reduced to ashes.
Smells like something's burning, smells like burning shit. Something's
always stinking now that I think of it. It stinks to be you my dear,
stinks to me too. Gonna burn your playhouse down if it's the last
thing I do. People always seem to destroy what they love, them big ole
brains steer us wrong when push comes to shove. Now I'm standing
here with the matches all lit hoping that my shoopish grin will get me
out of it
Everything stinks and I'm angry. I want to burn down your playhouse and ruin the things you love, because people always seem to destroy what they hold dear. My actions may be foolish, but I'm still hoping that I can get away with it.
Smell like somthing's burning, the red-hot coals of hell, give them
something to talk about and the stories they will tell about how he was
a good man and how far he fell, but you'll know I'm coming by the
smell
It feels like I'm in Hell and everything is burning. Even if people talk about how I was once a good person who fell from grace, they'll be able to recognize me by the smell of smoke that follows me.
Don't call the Fire Department, this town's been burned down
Flashing embers crashing through burning wall of sound
Brothers like to fight but I won't be found. Ashes blowing in the breeze
No one else around
The whole town is already burned down, so there's no point in calling the fire department. There's chaos and destruction all around, but I won't be caught in the middle of it. Ashes are just blowing in the wind, with no one around to witness the aftermath.
Smells like something's burning...
Once again, there's a smell of smoke and something burning. The destruction and chaos seem to be never-ending.
Contributed by Adalyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.