The original members of Y&T were Dave Meniketti (lead vocals and lead guitar), Leonard Haze (drums), Phil Kennemore (bass), and Joey Alves (rhythm guitar). Haze was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso in 1986. Alves was replaced by Stef Burns in 1989. The band officially disbanded in 1991, although they continued to perform sporadically. They officially reunited in 2001 with a lineup of Meniketti, Kennemore, and Burns alongside Leonard Haze. Burns eventually went on to join the pop rock outfit Huey Lewis & The News and was replaced by John Nymann. Nymann was an old friend of the band who had sung backup for the group before. In 2006, Haze was asked to step down, and he was replaced by Mike Vanderhule.
The band's signature hits include "Summertime Girls", a Van Halen like piece of cheeky arena rock that reached #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, and ""Mean Streak." That latter track hiked up to #25 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart due to its aggressive, heavy style. Y&T's 1984 album, 'In Rock We Trust', has been their highest selling release, reaching #46 on the Billboard Album Charts and selling over 450,000 copies; the spirited album came very close to Gold status.
Main Website: http://www.yandtrocks.com/
Open Fire
Y&T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
control
It’s time to get them balls free to roll
Save it all up for the right time to let it go,
go, go
Fair warning, be ready
I’m gonna explode
All week long getting primed up for what
And when I get it up
Gonna spend some time with you
Have me some fun
Gonna shoot my guns in the sky
Now you know it’s easy to fly
I’m flying high
Open fire when I hit the stage
Gonna open fire
All over this place
Open fire
In a rockin’ rage
I'm gonna open fire
Lights go down
You know I’m gonna tear it up
Gettin’ real gnarly
We’re gonna strut our stuff
Like a short fuse on a stick of dynamite
Full blast, oh, now we’re gonna ignite
Blow up the night, do it right
I’m gonna ignite
Open fire when I hit the stage
Gonna open fire
All over this place
Open fire
In a rockin’ rage
I'm gonna open fire
Set me free
Light my fuse
Gonna blow up the night
So far somehow I've managed to keep
control
Well, it’s time to set them balls free to roll
Save it all up for the right time to let it go,
go, go
Fair warning, be ready
I’m gonna explode
You better light my fuse
Get ready
I’m gonna explode
Open fire when I hit the stage
Gonna open fire
All over this place
Open fire
In a rockin’ rage
I'm gonna open fire
The lyrics of Y&T's Open Fire express a feeling of anticipation and agitation as the singer prepares to take the stage and perform. The opening lines imply that the singer has been holding back his energy and excitement for some time, waiting for the right moment to unleash it. He warns his audience to be prepared as he plans to "explode" with passion and energy. The idea of exploding is further emphasized throughout the rest of the song, with references to lighting fuses, tearing up the stage, and igniting the night. The chorus proclaims the singer's intention to "open fire" with his music, inciting the audience to join in the rock and roll frenzy.
The verses of the song contain several metaphors that relate to the theme of explosive energy. The use of the phrase "get them balls free to roll" implies that the singer has been holding back his energy like a coiled spring waiting to be released. Similarly, the reference to a "short fuse on a stick of dynamite" suggests that the singer is ready to ignite at any moment. The repetition of the phrase "open fire" serves as a powerful call to action, urging the audience to join in the explosive energy of the performance.
Overall, Y&T's Open Fire is a passionate celebration of the power of rock and roll to liberate and energize performers and audiences alike. The lyrics tap into the primal human desire to release pent-up energy and experience the thrill of explosive release.
Line by Line Meaning
So far somehow I’ve managed to keep control
Despite all the excitement and anticipation, I have managed to keep myself calm and controlled.
It’s time to get them balls free to roll
It's time to let loose and have some fun without any restrictions or limitations.
Save it all up for the right time to let it go, go, go
I have been holding back my excitement and energy, waiting for the perfect moment to release it all.
Fair warning, be ready, I’m gonna explode
I am warning everyone that I am about to let out all my energy and excitement in a big explosion.
All week long getting primed up for what we do
I have been preparing and getting myself ready for this moment for the entire week.
And when I get it up, Gonna spend some time with you
Once I start performing and getting into the music, I am going to enjoy myself and spend some time engaging with my audience.
Have me some fun, Gonna shoot my guns in the sky
I am going to have fun and celebrate by shooting pretend guns into the air.
Now you know it’s easy to fly, I’m flying high
This experience is making me feel alive and exhilarated, like I am flying high.
Open fire when I hit the stage, Gonna open fire, All over this place, Open fire, In a rockin’ rage, I'm gonna open fire
I am going to give it my all and let out all my energy and excitement when I start performing on stage.
Lights go down, You know I’m gonna tear it up, Gettin’ real gnarly, We’re gonna strut our stuff
As soon as the lights go down, I am going to give an amazing performance and show off my style and personality.
Like a short fuse on a stick of dynamite, Full blast, oh, now we’re gonna ignite, Blow up the night, do it right, I’m gonna ignite
I am like a short fuse on a stick of dynamite and once I am ignited, I am going to give it my all and put on a spectacular show.
Set me free, Light my fuse, Gonna blow up the night
I am requesting to be set free from all the restrictions and limitations, and asking to be given a chance to show how amazing I am going to be.
You better light my fuse, Get ready, I’m gonna explode
I am warning everyone again to prepare themselves because I am going to give an explosive performance.
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-do9tl3il2f
Listening to this song with volume below maximum is criminal!
@davegussman5464
Best song to open with at a Y&T concert 🤘It gets the crowd pumped
@kamaboko1
I've heard this song a gazillion times and never tire of it.
@garyunsworth726
Me too : )
@joeminton5770
Dave Meneketti is a rock n roll Legend!
@josephambrose9747
Hayward California baby!!!!
@pauljones4188
I never get tired of Y&T!
@TheRealKristinNeal
Still LOVE this song!
@johnacoulthard6347
This literally makes me happy.
@covinomartinez6048
"to you what my friend, hearing this music here on this channel "ALWAYS makes my day!