Before his professional music career began, Thorn was briefly a professional boxer. After a few years of working in a local furniture factory and playing in local clubs, he was discovered by music professional Miles Copeland (brother of The Police drummer Stewart Copeland). This resulted in Thorn being signed to a recording contract with A&M Records and recording his first album, Hammer & Nail in 1997.
Thorn took an unexpected detour on the road to recording a follow-up to his most successful release, 2010's Pimps and Preachers. After writing many discs of semi-autobiographical tunes that have drawn comparisons to John Hiatt and John Prine, the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter - hailed as the "Mark Twain of Americana" - decided to do an album of covers. "I wanted to take a break from myself," he reveals, "do something different, and just have fun."
The collection, entitled What The Hell Is Goin' On? (Perpetual Obscurity / Thirty Tigers) finds Thorn putting his own gritty rock stamp on some of his favorite songs. There are some names familiar to Americana fans (Buddy Miller, Ray Wylie Hubbard), some lesser-known (Foy Vance, Wild Bill Emerson) and some surprises. The Buckingham/Nicks tune Don't Let Me Down Again originated on that duo's debut, not during the Fleetwood Mac era, while the Paul Rogers/Free song that Thorn chose to cover is an obscure one, Walk In My Shadow.
The idea for a covers album grew as Thorn encountered tunes that meant something important to him. "I would hear them in the tour van or I'd be at a festival and see someone perform them live," Thorn says, "and I'd say 'That's a great song, I wish I had written it!'" One thing all the writers of these songs have in common, according to Thorn, is that they are true artists. "They don't just write songs in an effort to become popular or follow trends," he explains. "At the risk of sounding corny, they write with their hearts. None of these songs are cookie-cutter tunes like you hear on the radio today. They all have real depth, which is very appealing to me."
The set covers subjects that are familiar territory to Thorn, from the spiritual pull of Miller's Shelter Me Lord to the spirited fun in Big Al Anderson's Jukin'. Thorn, so skilled with his own character studies, plays storyteller with such lurid tales as Hubbard's Snake Farm and Emerson's Bull Mountain Bridge. Emerson (who has written for George Jones and Tammy Wynette) is someone, according to Thorn, who "can tell a story in a song like nobody else."
What The Hell Is Goin' On? also delivers songs of love and salvation. Vance's Shed A Little Light and Eli "Paperboy" Reed's Take My Love With You are emotionally powerful tunes. The latter particularly expresses Thorn's feelings about being on the road and missing his family back home: "Being a touring musician is a blessing and a curse... and Eli put into words what I feel like sometimes."
What The Hell's centerpiece is the powerful title track, a blistering look at life in modern times that was penned by blues-rock icon Elvin Bishop. "We are living in a new world where people are very connected, but also at the same time are disconnected," Thorn states. "I believe technology in moderation is good but too many folks are walking around wearing ear phones and some have forgotten the lost art of basic social skills."
The song also is significant because he has developed a friendship with Bishop over the years. "I sometimes visit him at his house when I'm out in California and he always gives me a jar of his homemade jelly that he makes with fresh kiwis from his garden," Thorn recalls. "He sang this song for me on his front porch one day and it blew me away." It was also a treat to have Bishop perform a guitar solo on the tune - which Thorn describes as "wonderfully raw and dirty." Other special guests on the album are Delbert McClinton (another Thorn idol) and the marvelous singing McCrary Sisters.
The heavy lifting on the album, however, was done by Thorn and, as usual, his touring band (guitarist Bill Hinds, keyboard player Michael Graham, bassist Ralph Friedrichsen and drummer Jeffrey Perkins). "The guys in this outfit are a tight unit and a well-oiled machine," he proclaims. "I've had the same guys in my band for goin' on 15 years and they are incredible musicians." Another long-time collaborator is Billy Maddox, who steered the ship and also served as What The Hell's producer. The sense of camaraderie among Thorn, his band and Maddox contributes to the disc's loose, live performances. The lived-in quality is undoubted aided by the fact that Thorn and the band had already played these songs live and honed them into what he calls "crowd-pleasers."
Photo of Paul ThornThorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music - bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths. The Tupelo, Mississippi native worked in a furniture factory, jumped out of airplanes, and was a professional boxer before sharing his experiences with the world as a singer-songwriter. Pimps and Preachers, which topped the Americana charts for three weeks and broke into the Billboard Top 100, perfectly exemplified the vivid scope of his songwriting and illuminated his family background. While his father is a Church of God Pentecostal Minister, his uncle (his father's brother) spent time as a pimp, and Thorn was influenced by both of these men. Mining these "saint and sinner" scenarios, Thorn crafted a disc that All Music Guide lauded as "a great rock & roll album," while The Nation labeled it "an incredible find."
When Thorn and his band hit the road, he'll be performing both his captivating originals and these favored covers, because, as he says, "there are so many great writers out there whose songs need to be heard." Thorn also might slip in a new song or two as he already has started writing more songs of his own for the next album.
Mission Temple Fireworks Stand
Paul Thorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was holding a tent revival and running a firework stand.
He said the end of the world is coming, you better get on your knees.
Today bottle rockets are two for one, but salvation's free.
He said I quit my job at a big church where the milk and money flowed,
To sell cherry bombs for Jesus in a tent beside the road.
I ain't in it for the money, most cars they pass on by.
Here at the...
Chorus:
Holy Ghost (Holy Ghost)
Big Bang theory (Big Bang Theory)
Pentecostal (Pentacostal)
Fire and brimstone (Fire and Brimstone)
Mission Temple Fireworks Stand
Fireworks are dangerous, they can blow up in your face
So you better read the instructions, light the fuse and get away
These things are made in China so it's easy to see
How a man who worships Buddha ain't got no guarantees
This is the...
Chorus
Whoa-o-o-o-o
Bridge:
He said everything I'm selling is all going up in smoke
This world is like an atom bomb, it's ready to explode
When the trumpet sounds and The Lord comes back I promise you one thing
I'll be a human bottle rocket and I'll go out with a bang
I'll leave this...
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
The song Mission Temple Fireworks Stand by Paul Thorn tells the story of a man who left his job at a big church to sell fireworks for Jesus in a tent revival. He believes the end of the world is coming and urges everyone to get on their knees and repent. He acknowledges the danger of fireworks but believes that salvation is free. The chorus mentions Holy Ghost, Big Bang theory, Pentacostal beliefs, and fire and brimstone.
The first verse describes a black man who is selling fireworks alongside a tent revival. He speaks of salvation and urges people to turn to God before it's too late. The second verse talks about the man's decision to leave his job at a big church, where there was a lot of money but little passion for faith. He now pays his rent by selling fireworks and believes that his work for God is more important than a steady paycheck.
The chorus is a playful juxtaposition of different religious and scientific beliefs. It highlights the man's Pentecostal background but also shows his fascination with science and the idea of a big bang. The bridge adds to the theme of the end of the world, comparing it to an atom bomb that's ready to explode. The man sees himself as a human bottle rocket who will go out with a bang when the Lord comes back.
Overall, the song is an amusing and thought-provoking commentary on religious beliefs and the human search for salvation. It uses humor and irony to deliver a message of faith and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a black man with a bible and a sparkler in his hand.
I witnessed a black man holding a Bible and waving a sparkler while simultaneously preaching at a tent revival and selling fireworks.
He was holding a tent revival and running a firework stand.
This man was preaching at a tent revival while simultaneously operating a firework stand to sell his wares.
He said the end of the world is coming, you better get on your knees.
The preacher warned that the apocalypse is fast approaching, and everyone should prepare to face judgement before the Almighty.
Today bottle rockets are two for one, but salvation's free.
Although fireworks are being sold at discounted prices, the grace of God and eternal salvation can be acquired without cost.
He said I quit my job at a big church where the milk and money flowed,
The evangelist confessed he had formerly been employed at a big-church that prioritized profit over piety.
To sell cherry bombs for Jesus in a tent beside the road.
Rather than use his spiritual calling to amass a fortune, he set up a tent near the road to spread the gospel and sell religiously-themed fireworks.
I ain't in it for the money, most cars they pass on by.
Despite advertising aggressively, he reckoned that most drivers ignored his stand and he was motivated by religious fervour rather than the desire for monetary profit.
But I pay the rent on New Years and the fourth of July.
The preacher covers his costs and maintains his livelihood by generating significant revenue, particularly on the Independence Day and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Fireworks are dangerous, they can blow up in your face
The preacher cautioned that fireworks can cause physical harm and people should read the instructions carefully before lighting them.
So you better read the instructions, light the fuse and get away
The best course of action is to remain cautious and follow the instructions carefully to avoid injury and always keep safe from harm.
These things are made in China so it's easy to see
Fireworks are made in China and hence it's evident how people who pray to Buddha don't get any guarantees, hence only believing in Jesus can get you the guaranteed life after death.
How a man who worships Buddha ain't got no guarantees
One who worships Buddha never really receives an assurance of eternal life or security while Christians can be assured of their salvation through Jesus Christ.
He said everything I'm selling is all going up in smoke
The preacher admits that everything he is selling is temporary, and recognizes that life itself may end in tragedy.
This world is like an atom bomb, it's ready to explode
The world itself is perilous and is likely to be catastrophic, ready to explode anytime with either natural or artifical disasters.
When the trumpet sounds and The Lord comes back I promise you one thing
The evangelist underscores the certainty of Christ's return, and he assures his followers of the victory they will share when the Final Judgement Day ushers in the true believers into heaven.
I'll be a human bottle rocket and I'll go out with a bang
Once called upon in glorification of God, the evangelist envisions himself like a human fireworks rocket, bursting forth in divine light until the end of the world.
Holy Ghost (Holy Ghost)
Reference to Holy Ghost, a member of the Christian trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son.
Big Bang theory (Big Bang Theory)
The scientific theory acknowledging that Earth began as an explosion similar to that of the 4th of July and the Independence Day fireworks celebration, thereby linking science with religious fervour.
Pentecostal (Pentacostal)
Reference to Pentecostalism, a type of Christian denomination that believes in a personal experience of God that can transform lives and instill fervent worship.
Fire and brimstone (Fire and Brimstone)
A reference to hellfire and damnation, a recurrent theme in many sermons warning of the fate that awaits those who reject salvation.
Mission Temple Fireworks Stand
The evangelist's tent that was set up to sell religious-themed fireworks and simultaneously spread the gospel of Jesus.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tom Rich
Man I wish I hada been on that cruise
I was listening to a dvd while working on a commission mural and heard a familiar voice and turned to see sure enough it was my friend Matt Clark from a movie we just did that was Dwight Yoakum Writing/directing debut, SOUTH OF HEAVEN WEST OF HELL
And Matt was with Delbert McClinton (who I oughta have known more about if not for Repetitive ATTENTION Derailment Order)
Wrapped my wet brushes and took a memorable break when Rodney Crowell sung suggestions the first time I'd heard Danging Circles'Round the Sun
Then before I could beer run and back from the ice box was a man with serious comedic flair and unabashed capability of still being able to believe, name of Paul Thorn starting with this exact performance Mission Temple Fireworks Stand
Man I sorta sang along and laughed so involved with tears running down my legs
Latter Matt mentioned to me that it is an annual January Cruise Event Delbert had going on.
Didn't follow up for constant preoccupation but looked up and listened to as many Paul Thorn's genre immune songs as a computer illiterate Son of a Rodeo Clown could find on the amazing world wide web and just before I started touching this comment on this phone screen about going on an hour ago noticed that I may get a chance to go a hop and a skip from Mesquite to Oak Cliiff and finally see Paul Thorn for real at The Kessler Theatre where I lived for a while in the Newly Refamed Bishop Arts District right in the heart of Stevie Ray Vaughanville, Texas
I could go on and on but this is already long
Hope I get ine
ddellwo
If you ever get a chance to see Paul and his band play live DON’T MISS IT……..!!!!
Mary Vaughn
Lord have mercy! My son loved rock, blues & gospel. He loved this particular song more than anything. Thank you for the spiritual experience. 🙏
Rob Roper
Great song. Paul Thorn is one of America's greatest songwriters.
Laurie Walker
Tremendous Nothing but applause. If you haven't seen Paul in concert get you butt in gear.
John Andrews
One of the best shows I ever seen. Paul and the band are a must see
sluggo andrews
And 5 years later STILL THE BEST SHOW I EVER ATTENDED
O Resto do Mundo
@sluggo andrews Let’s keep the spirit goin baby
Cheryll
Paul is such a great entertainer, like hes your buddy telling you a story. Love him
Sam
Another great song by Paul horn YOU GO MAN KEEP IT GOING
Cindy Caniff Avila
Love your music! You ROCK!