Roky Erickson (born Roger Kynard Erickson on July 15, 1947, died May 31, 20… Read Full Bio ↴Roky Erickson (born Roger Kynard Erickson on July 15, 1947, died May 31, 2019) was an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Austin, Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators, who are considered to be one of the first two bands to ever use the word "psychedelic" ( + see The Deep) to describe rock music. See also Roky Erickson & the Aliens and Roky Erickson & The Explosives.

In 1969 the band were all arrested for possession of marijuana and Roky was incarcerated in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he reportedly underwent electroshock therapy and was placed on Thorazine amongst other controversial treatments. Many claim he has never been the same since. Sadly in the intervening years record execs and managers displayed the bad side of the music business and took full advantage of his condition often leaving him living in poverty while they hoarded all the cash.

In 2001 Roky's youngest brother, Sumner Erickson (ex-tuba player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), was appointed his legal guardian and an improvement in Roky's faculties has been reported since, leading to a return to live shows.

An excellent documentary on Roky, "You're gonna miss me" (2005), chronicled his troubled life - his schizophrenia, incarceration for possession of a joint, and talented and eccentric family.

Stand for the Fire Demon
Roky Erickson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stand for the fire demon
Rising into and with the clouds
Stand for the fire demon
Satan's is his crowd
Stand for the fire demon
Stand and feel it loud

Stand for the fire demon

Past 12, 'tis one and one
Stand for the fire demon
Past 12, 'tis not one

Stand for the fire demon
Burning fiery bright
Stand for the fire demon
Stand for the demon of fire

Stand for the fire demon
Satan's are we, Satan's am I
Stand for the fire demon
Spirits say boo and the paper bursts into fire
Stand for the fire demon
Wilder, wilder, wilder, wilder
Stand for the fire demon
Stand for the demon of fire
Stand for the demon of fire

Stand for the fire demon (x 10)
Stand for the demon of fire

Overall Meaning

The song “Stand for the Fire Demon” by Roky Erickson is a metal song with references to Satanism and the occult. The lyrics talk about standing for the fire demon, who is rising into the clouds and has Satan as his follower. The song encourages the listener to feel the power of the fire demon and stand with him. As the night goes on and it passes midnight, the fire demon becomes stronger and wilder. The spirits also join in and cause the paper to burst into flames.

The song has a dark and ominous tone with intense guitar riffs and drum beats. The repetition of “Stand for the fire demon” emphasizes the power and presence of the demonic force. The reference to spirits and paper bursting into flames adds to the supernatural element of the song.

Overall, “Stand for the Fire Demon” is a song about embracing the dark side and unleashing the power within.

Line by Line Meaning

Stand for the fire demon
Show loyalty and devotion to the embodiment of fire and destruction

Rising into and with the clouds
Ascending into the heavens, becoming one with the smoke and ash

Satan's is his crowd
Accompanied by the followers of the devil

Stand and feel it loud
Embrace the fiery essence with full force

Past 12, 'tis one and one
After midnight, numerically signifying two

Past 12, 'tis not one
After midnight, not representing the number one

Burning fiery bright
Glowing with intense, radiant heat

Stand for the demon of fire
Demonstrating allegiance to the devilish entity of flames

Satan's are we, Satan's am I
Belonging to and representing the forces of Satan

Spirits say boo and the paper bursts into fire
Even the slightest disturbance can trigger an explosive blaze

Wilder, wilder, wilder, wilder
Increasingly frenzied and untamed