Broudie and Rogers formed the act as the "perfect pop project", and Lightning Seeds broke through in 1989 with the psychedelic synth pop hit, "Pure", which made the UK Top 20 and was a minor hit on US pop radio and a major success on US alternative radio. In the 1990s Lightning Seeds became one of the most popular and enterprising of the era. The 1995 album Jollification was a critical masterpiece, spawning several successful singles. In 1996, Lightning Seeds provided the music and production for the official England anthem for the Euro '96 football tournament. The lyrics were written and sung by comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, and the song, "Three Lions", went straight into the charts at number one.
Since the release of 1999's Tilt the act has taken a back seat as Broudie concentrated on producing the works of others. However, in 2006, Broudie reformed the band with a selection of new members, releasing a Very Best Of album, and performing a number of tour dates. In 2009, the band released Four Winds, their first album in 10 years.
Control The Flame
The Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me more than I could ever hope to take in one day, OK
There's always someone who can make me shiver
There's always someone who can melt the feel of ice
On my spine, in the night
Can't control
Control the flame
Can't control
Control desire
But who the hell'd want to stop it now
I hear the thunder and my mind can't reason
Going under as it dances on my spine
Hold me tight, hold me tight
There must be someone who could kill this fever
But now and then I feel this fever rise and rise
Burning bright in the night
Night and day the heat is on
Fever burns
Something strange is going on
And it makes me burn and burn
The Lightning Seeds' "Control The Flame" is a song that discusses the uncontrollable nature of desire and passion. In the opening lines, the singer is asking for more than they could ever wish for or hope to take in one day. The desire for something more than what they have currently is overwhelming. The second verse describes the physical sensations felt during moments of intense passion. The chilling shiver and the feeling of melting ice on their spine suggest that the person they are with has ignited a flame within them that is difficult to control.
The chorus of the song is a reflection of the intensity of the feeling of passion. The singer acknowledges that they are unable to control the flame of desire, but why would anyone want to calm the fever that burns within them? The bridge of the song describes the sensations of thunder and dancing on their spine, which makes it impossible for the singer to reason with their mind. They are losing themselves in a passion that is all-consuming.
The final two verses reflect the all-consuming nature of passion. The fever is burning bright both day and night, and something strange is happening. The singer cannot control the fire that is burning within them, and it makes them burn and burn. The song's message seems to be that passion and desire are powerful and difficult to control but are also something to be celebrated and enjoyed.
Line by Line Meaning
Just give me more than I could ever wish for
I want everything and anything that I could possibly desire.
Give me more than I could ever hope to take in one day, OK
I want so much that it would be impossible for me to receive it all in just one day.
There's always someone who can make me shiver
There's always someone who has the power to make me feel a physical sensation of shivering.
There's always someone who can melt the feel of ice
There's always someone who has the power to make me feel warm and loved, even when I feel cold and distant.
On my spine, in the night
I feel their presence and the sensations they give me on my spine, especially at night.
Can't control
I have no power to resist or stop the feelings and sensations I'm experiencing.
Control the flame
Tame or dominate the powerful emotions that burn within me.
But who the hell'd want to calm this fever
Why would anyone want to cool down or stop these intense and fiery sensations?
Control desire
Overcome or manage my strong cravings and longings.
But who the hell'd want to stop it now
Why would anyone want to prevent yourself from feeling and wanting what you desire right now?
I hear the thunder and my mind can't reason
The intensity of my emotions is so powerful that it's hard for me to think and rationalize clearly, like a storm is raging within me.
Going under as it dances on my spine
The sensations and feelings I'm experiencing are overwhelming and taking me over, especially on my spine.
Hold me tight, hold me tight
I need someone to physically hold and embrace me tightly to feel safe and secure in my emotions.
There must be someone who could kill this fever
There must be someone who can help me manage these intense and overpowering emotions that I cannot control on my own.
But now and then I feel this fever rise and rise
Even though there might be moments when I'm able to manage myself, there are times when I feel my emotions take over me again, increasing in strength.
Burning bright in the night
My emotions are consuming and intense, especially at nighttime when everything is dark and quiet.
Night and day the heat is on
My emotions are present and intense around the clock, every hour of every day.
Fever burns
The heat and intensity of my emotions are all-consuming and feel like a fever.
Something strange is going on
I cannot fully explain or understand why I'm feeling these overpowering emotions and reactions.
And it makes me burn and burn
These intense emotions keep me burning inside, unable to be cooled or calmed down completely.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: IAN BROUDIE, PETER COYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind