The Red Hot Chili Peppers covered the song. They did so from their early beginnings, around March 1983, on a regular basis during their gigs. They recorded their version of Fire during the Freaky Styley sessions, but the song was left off of the album but released as a B-Side on a few of the band's singles. When the band's original guitarist Hillel Slovak died in 1988, the recording of "Fire" was added as a tribute to the late guitarist to the track list of Mother's Milk, released in 1989.
Fire
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
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Now dig this, baby
You don't care for me
I don'-a care about that
Gotta new fool, ha!
I like it like that
Let me stand next to your fire
Let me stand next to your fire (Repeat 4 times)
Listen here, baby
And stop acting so crazy
You say your mum ain't home,
It ain't my concern,
Just play with me and you won't get burned
I have only one itching desire
Let me stand next to your fire
Let me stand next to your fire (Repeat 4 times)
Oh! Move over, Rover
And let Jimi take over
Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout
Yeah, get on with it, baby
That's what I'm talking 'bout
Now dig this!
Ha!
Now listen, baby
You try to gimme your money
You better save it, babe
Save it for your rainy day
I have only one burning desire
Let me stand next to your fire
Let me stand next to your fire
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song "Fire" is a classic rock tune about lust and desire. The song starts with Hendrix's declaration that he and his love interest are not compatible. He tells her that if she doesn't care for him, then he doesn't care about that. He then proceeds to talk about his burning desire to be next to her fire, both literally and metaphorically. The song uses fire as a symbol for passion and sexual desire.
Throughout the song, Hendrix tries to convince his love interest to give him a chance. He tells her to stop acting crazy and that he won't let her get burned. He also encourages her to forget about her problems and to get on with it. Hendrix's lyrics use a lot of clever wordplay and double entendres to convey his message.
One interesting aspect of "Fire" is the guitar work. Hendrix's guitar solos are improvised and incredibly dynamic. He demonstrates his innovative style by using feedback and distortion to create new sounds. The drumming by Mitch Mitchell is also exceptional, providing a groovy, funky beat that distinguishes it from other rock songs of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright,
The singer is getting ready to make a statement.
Now dig this, baby
Listen closely to what the singer is about to say.
You don't care for me
The singer knows that the person they are talking to does not have feelings for them.
I don'-a care about that
Despite not being liked back, the singer does not care much about it.
Gotta new fool, ha!
The person the singer is talking to has a new partner.
I like it like that
The singer doesn't mind the situation and is happy with the way things are.
I have only one burning desire
The singer has one strong craving.
Let me stand next to your fire
The singer wants to be close to the other person's passion and energy.
Listen here, baby
The singer is trying to get the attention of the person they are talking to.
And stop acting so crazy
The other person is being irrational.
You say your mum ain't home,
The other person is hinting that they want to be alone with the singer.
It ain't my concern,
The singer doesn't care about the other person's family situation.
Just play with me and you won't get burned
If the other person goes along with the singer's desires, they will avoid getting hurt.
Oh! Move over, Rover
The singer is telling someone or something to move out of the way.
And let Jimi take over
The singer wants to take control of the situation.
Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout
The singer believes that the other person understands their desires.
Yeah, get on with it, baby
The singer wants the other person to fulfill their desires.
That's what I'm talking 'bout
The singer is happy that the other person is agreeing with them.
Now dig this!
Time for the singer to make another statement.
Ha!
An expression of the singer's excitement.
Now listen, baby
The singer wants the other person's undivided attention.
You try to gimme your money
The other person is trying to give the singer money.
You better save it, babe
The singer advises the other person to hold onto their money.
Save it for your rainy day
The singer suggests that the other person save the money for a time of need.
I have only one burning desire
The singer's strong craving is still present.
Let me stand next to your fire
The singer still wants to be close to the other person's passion and energy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind