Fire - The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, 1968

 
 

I am the god of hell fire and I bring you...
Fire, I'll take you to burn.
Fire, I'll take you to learn.
I'll see you burn!


You fought hard and you saved and earned,
But all of it's gonna burn.
And your mind, your tiny mind,
You know you've really been so blind.
Now's your time burn your mind.
You're falling far too far behind.
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, you gonna burn!

Fire, to destroy all you've done.
Fire, to end all you've become.
I'll feel you burn!

You've been living like a little girl,
in the middle of your little world.
And your mind, your tiny mind,
you know you've really been so blind.
Now 's your time burn your mind,
you're falling far too far behind.

Fire, I'll take you to burn.
Fire, I'll take you to learn.

You're gonna burn.
You're gonna learn.

You're gonna burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Ha Ha Ha...

Fire, I'll take you to burn.
Fire, I'll take you to learn.
Fire, I'll take you to bend.

 
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At the University of London, Arthur Brown studied philosophy and law, but music soon took his fancy. He gravitated towards the psychedelic scene; his band's debut album being "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown". This was produced by none other than Pete Townsend of The Who, and it turned into a surprise hit In both England and North America. Arthur's "crazy" style included distinctive face makeup that Alice Cooper and KISS would copy later in the 70s... and he appeared naked on stage at times, thus gaining unwanted attention from the local authorities. For more about his antics, read this.

During live performances of "Fire", Arthur Brown wore a customized leather helmet with a metal dish full of lighter fuel. This allowed for the illusion of his head being on fire during the song. Although the contraption was fireproof, the heat from the metal left him in considerable discomfort.

Being famous is sometimes quite painful...