Ballard was initially a guitarist with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano and Bob Henrit on drums. After a stint with The Roulettes, backing Adam Faith, he then went on to join Unit 4 + 2 (also Unit Four Plus Two) in the early 1960s, before becoming the lead singer and guitarist of Argent, writing their hit the rock-anthem God Gave Rock and Roll to You, which would later be covered by both Petra and Kiss.
In 1972, Ballard performed on The Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone's album Ennismore, which was produced by Chris White. Ballard also wrote the hit single, I Don't Believe in Miracles, which featured on that album.
He left Argent in 1973 and pursued a solo and songwriting career. He wrote such hits as Three Dog Night's Liar, Hot Chocolate's 1977 UK chart topper So You Win Again, and Rainbow's Since You Been Gone (also featured on Ballard's second solo album Winning) and I Surrender. As a solo artist, Ballard charted once on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, when "On the Rebound" reached #58 in 1980. Progressive rock band Uriah Heep covered On the Rebound in 1982 on their album, Abominog.
Ballard also wrote and performed on The Who's vocalist Roger Daltrey's first two solo albums - Daltrey (1973) and Ride a Rock Horse (1975) and produced several singles.
British pop band Hello recorded Ballard's New York Groove in 1975, reaching #7 in Germany and #9 in the UK. In 1978 New York Groove would again feature on KISS' lead-guitarist Ace Frehley's solo album and be a hit once more.
Ballard also wrote the #17, 1981 hit for Santana, called Winning, which appeared on their album entitled Zebop! and had previously been released by Ballard himself on his second solo album.
Ballard wrote and produced You Can Do Magic for the group America. The single climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1982, and helped resurrect the band's career. The following year, America brought in Ballard to produce their follow-up album, Your Move. One of its tracks, The Border, which was co-written by Ballard with Dewey Bunnell, reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Borrowing from The Cure's Simon Gallup's 1981 "Other Voices" bass riff, Ballard wrote ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad's 1982 solo hit: I Know There's Something Going On (with drums played by Phil Collins). The track reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also penned Can't Shake Loose for fellow ABBA former member, Agnetha Fältskog, which peaked at #29 in the same listings.
His song Voices - from the album Russ Ballard - was featured on the Miami Vice episode entitled "Calderone's Return: Part 2 - Calderone's Demise", which aired on 26 October 1984. The song was a brief hit on rock radio stations, peaking at #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. However, "Voices" stalled below the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #110. The song In The Night (also from the Russ Ballard album), was also featured in Miami Vice, and included in the episode entitled "Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List". The show also featured Your Time Is Gonna Come by Ballard and recorded by Roger Daltrey for the movie soundtrack: McVicar.
The Fire Still Burns, the title track of his 1985 album attained #15 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In 1991 the song he co-wrote with John Waite (The Babys) and Jonathan Cain, So This Is Eden, appeared on Bad English's album, Backlash.
Ballard has also written and produced for Elkie Brooks, and more recently, acting as a talent scout, he "discovered" Lauren Harris.
Other artists he's worked with or have covered songs written by him include Bay City Rollers, Pointer Sisters, Carol Douglas, Clout, Kandidate, Long John Baldry, Peter Criss (KISS drummer), The Cats, Bruce Dickinson, The Brian May Band to name a few.
Playing With Fire
Russ Ballard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a fool I let you play two timer, but I'd be a bigger fool if I stayed
Now I don't come running, hey girl ain't it strange
I'm thunder, I'm lightning, ''cause I made the change
You don't believe it, ''cause I ain't the same, oh girl can't you see - you're
[Chorus]
Playing with fire, playing with fire, when you play with me
Don't touch, you'll burn your hand, you still don't understand
You're playing with fire
Baby you see that in my heart, the smoke has turned to flame
The pain it was lost in the fire, now I won't break at the sound of your name
Now you cry, say will we love again
I guess that could be girl, but I don't know when
All I know is baby 'til then, that's how it's got to be
[Chorus: x 2]
Playing with fire, playing with fire (repeats out)
In Russ Ballard's song "Playing With Fire", the singer reminiscences about a relationship that he thought was solid but was ultimately let down when he realized his partner was cheating on him. Despite feeling foolish for being deceived, he recognizes that staying in a destructive relationship that does not value him is even more foolish. In the opening verse, he reveals the hurt and confusion he felt when he discovered the betrayal but quickly turns the focus on his own strength and determination to move on. He compares himself to thunder and lightning, forces of nature that cannot be controlled or contained. He acknowledges that his partner likely doubts his resolve because her behavior has likely eroded his confidence, but he maintains that he has changed and taken control of the situation. The chorus serves as a warning to his former partner that she is "playing with fire" by trying to manipulate or confuse him. He urges her to walk away from him instead of trying to play games with his emotions. The singer reveals that he has finally healed and the "smoke has turned to flame" that fuels his resolve to avoid falling into the same trap.
The theme of the song suggests that it is better to stand up for yourself and leave situations that are not healthy or beneficial to your well-being. It's a powerful message as it encourages listeners to stand up for themselves, make positive changes in their lives, and believe in themselves even when others doubt them. Russ Ballard's "Playing With Fire" reminds us that we are in charge of our own lives and that we should not allow others to have control over our emotions and our future.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby when I think about it, then I thought we had it made
I used to think we had a solid relationship, but now I realize how wrong I was
Like a fool I let you play two timer, but I'd be a bigger fool if I stayed
I was foolish to let you deceive and cheat on me, but it would be even more foolish to continue our relationship
Now I don't come running, hey girl ain't it strange
I'm no longer chasing after you, and it's strange how I don't feel the same desire for you anymore
I'm thunder, I'm lightning, ''cause I made the change
I've transformed myself into a force to be reckoned with, and it's all because of the changes I've made
You don't believe it, ''cause I ain't the same, oh girl can't you see - you're
You don't believe that I've changed because I'm not the person I used to be, and you can't see that you're the reason behind my transformation
Playing with fire, playing with fire, when you play with me
You're taking a risk by playing games with me, because I won't tolerate it
But I won't play your mind games, girl count me out, walk away from me
I won't stoop to your level and play mind games with you - it's best if you just leave me alone
Don't touch, you'll burn your hand, you still don't understand
If you try to get close to me, you'll get hurt - but you still don't seem to comprehend that
Baby you see that in my heart, the smoke has turned to flame
I used to feel a lot of pain and confusion, but now I've embraced my emotions and let them become a fiery passion
The pain it was lost in the fire, now I won't break at the sound of your name
My pain has been consumed by my newfound passion, and I won't let you affect me like you used to
Now you cry, say will we love again
You're feeling regret and wondering if we can rekindle our love
I guess that could be girl, but I don't know when
It's possible, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to trust you again
All I know is baby 'til then, that's how it's got to be
For now, I need to focus on myself and my own needs, and that's just the way it has to be
Playing with fire, playing with fire (repeats out)
The chorus repeats the warning that playing with me is dangerous and you're taking a risk
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BALLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind