I'm On Fire
Tori Amos Lyrics


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Hey little girl is your daddy home
Did he go away and leave you all alone
I got a bad desire
I'm on fire

Tell me now baby is he good to you
Can he do to you the things that I do
I can take you higher
I'm on fire

Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
through the middle of my soul

At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
and a freight train running through the
middle of my head




Only you can cool my desire
I'm on fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tori Amos's song "I'm on Fire" refer to the intense passion and desire that the singer has for a younger woman who may be in a relationship with someone else. The singer is asking if the girl's father is home and, if not, she should come with the singer because the singer has a "bad desire." The singer then asks if the girl's current partner treats her well and can provide the same level of intimacy that the singer can provide. The singer knows they can take the girl to new heights and bring her to a place where she has never been before.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey little girl is your daddy home
Are you alone without any support or guidance from your father?


Did he go away and leave you all alone
Has your father abandoned you?


I got a bad desire
I have a strong and intense craving that I can't resist.


I'm on fire
I'm overwhelmed with passion or desire.


Tell me now baby is he good to you
Is your father treating you well and taking care of you?


Can he do to you the things that I do
Can your father provide you with the same level of care and attention that I can give you?


I can take you higher
I can elevate you beyond what your father is currently able to provide.


Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
At times, I feel like I've been wounded deeply by something in my life.


edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
The wound feels both sharp and blunt, and has left a significant gap within me.


through the middle of my soul
This wound has impacted my very essence and being.


At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
I sometimes experience intense and vivid dreams that leave me feeling overwhelmed with emotion.


and a freight train running through the middle of my head
These dreams are so intense that they feel like a loud and unstoppable force in my mind.


Only you can cool my desire
You have the power to soothe my intense emotions and satisfy my longings.


I'm on fire
I'm still feeling very passionate and longing for your attention and care.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

libertas habet pretium

As a massive Springsteen fan, I can have the grace and respect to say that Tori covers this exquisitely!!! There is no threat here, just more beauty!

ConstantJubilation

I'm a diehard Springsteen girl, all the way-- But this is one of the strongest covers of his I've heard. It makes the song into something completely different, and how can I complain about that? Well done :)

schniesta sturdy

Everything about this is like a warm glass of whiskey on a cold snowy night.

Kate Boshier

Saw Tori perform this in Sydney in about 1996. It was amazing live! The hairs on the back of my neck sat up- not a person moved. evryone was mesmerised. I have been looking for this cover performed by her for years!!! Yay for youtube!

Cheryl Madigan

I saw her for the first time in 94 and she opened with this. I was not ready for it lol.

Tuscarora64

I am a big Boss fan, but really also enjoy this one, i like Tori, shes so unique in her style and has a good sense for the core of a song.

kim bye

Tori is ace at coversongs. She has covered a broader range of artists than any other musican i can think of and for the most part pulled it off brilliantly.

Brad Sittloh

I hear you, Arimababy. Tori truly remakes the covers she chooses and she does it so magnificently. It's like the original artists initial intent is amplified and polished to a whole new clarity. It's amazing how she can nearly put you in a trance if you truly listen rather than just hear.

eXia113

So ppl like this and ppl don't (I personally think it's great), but there's no denying Tori is one helluva musician. Listening to her gives me goosebumps!

Unabashedly Broken

I love her covers.

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