He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Fire in the Engine Room
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Betsy told me and I'm telling you
You'd better stop doing the things you do
There's a fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
Damp it down or we're all going under
Run them hoses, it's smouldering again
There's a fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
Fire, fire, my heart is busting
You drive me crazy with the things you say
Jealousy's got me and it won't go away
There's a fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
And I don't know how you come to reason
That somehow treason isn't treason
It must be the head-hunting season
And there's room in the old trophy room
She's making eyes at the fool with the shovel
That son of a grease-gun must be insane
I hose it down and he fans the flames
There's a fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
And you know how uncertainty can linger
With a rattlesnake wrapped around your finger
One day it might wake up and sting you
Here's a toast to the bride and the groom
Oh, fire, fire, my heart is busting
You drive me crazy with the things you say
Jealousy's got me and it won't go away
There's a fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
Fire in the engine room
The lyrics of "Fire in the Engine Room" by Richard Thompson are about a conflict within a group of people. The song starts with someone warning others about a fire in the engine room, a real emergency which requires immediate attention. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the fire is a metaphor for an emotional crisis, most likely a romantic one. The lyrics suggest that someone is causing trouble, perhaps by cheating or lying, and their actions are causing jealousy and resentment among the others. The singer seems to be caught in the middle of this conflict, torn between his feelings of anger and his desire to avoid confrontation. The imagery of the fire in the engine room adds a sense of urgency and danger to the situation, but it also emphasizes the fact that the conflict must be addressed in order to avoid a disaster.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Luke told Danny, Danny told Betsy
A message is being relayed through multiple people, indicating the importance and urgency of the situation.
Betsy told me and I'm telling you
The message has now reached the singer, who feels compelled to share it with others to prevent a dire situation.
You'd better stop doing the things you do
The actions of someone are causing a problem, and it's imperative they stop before it gets worse.
There's a fire in the engine room
The problem at hand is a fire in the engine room, which requires immediate attention before it causes irreparable damage.
Damp it down or we're all going under
If the fire isn't contained and dealt with, it could sink the entire ship and endanger the lives of everyone on board.
Run them hoses, it's smouldering again
The fire has been put out once but has reignited, so action needs to be taken again.
Better line up in a human chain
Working together in a coordinated effort, such as a human chain, may be necessary to resolve the issue and prevent further damage.
Fire, fire, my heart is busting
The artist is feeling intense emotions, likely due to the gravity of the situation and the actions of someone causing problems.
You drive me crazy with the things you say
The actions of someone are causing frustration and distress for the artist.
Jealousy's got me and it won't go away
The artist is experiencing jealousy, which is exacerbating the emotions they're feeling in response to the situation.
And I don't know how you come to reason
The singer is struggling to understand how someone could justify their actions in a situation that requires urgent attention.
That somehow treason isn't treason
The artist is alluding to the idea that someone's actions are tantamount to betrayal, yet this person doesn't view it that way.
It must be the head-hunting season
The singer is expressing sarcasm, indicating that the person causing problems seems to have no regard for the situation's gravity and is acting as if they're on some sort of hunting expedition.
And there's room in the old trophy room
The singer seems to be implying that the person causing problems will be viewed as a trophy to be mounted should the situation result in catastrophe.
She's making eyes at the fool with the shovel
This line suggests that someone on board is engaging in flirtatious behavior instead of helping to resolve the emergency.
That son of a grease-gun must be insane
The artist is expressing frustration and incredulity towards someone who is preventing a resolution to the situation.
I hose it down and he fans the flames
Someone is actively impeding the efforts to resolve the situation, perhaps even making it worse.
And you know how uncertainty can linger
Uncertainty is prevalent during emergency situations, and it can be challenging to know whether the actions being taken are effective.
With a rattlesnake wrapped around your finger
The singer is using a metaphor to illustrate how dangerous and uncertain the situation feels.
One day it might wake up and sting you
Although the situation may not seem dire at the moment, there's always a possibility that it could quickly escalate and cause harm.
Here's a toast to the bride and the groom
This line may seem disconnected from the rest of the song, but it could be interpreted as a reminder that life is fleeting, and we should appreciate moments of joy while they last.
Oh, fire, fire, my heart is busting
The artist is reiterating the intensity of their emotions as the situation grows more dire.
You drive me crazy with the things you say
The actions of someone are causing the singer to feel upset and on edge.
Jealousy's got me and it won't go away
The artist is still grappling with feelings of jealousy and stress, which are being intensified by the emergency situation.
There's a fire in the engine room
The repetition of this line serves as a reminder of the urgency of the situation and that nothing else should take precedence.
Fire in the engine room
Reiterating the situation and its gravity one final time.
Contributed by Mila O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.