On Fire

“On Fire” is the eleventh and final track on Van Halen.

“On Fire” is one of the songs that might justify the ‘heavy metal’ tag, with Eddie riffing in a more straightforward way than was often the case (although there’s still a clunking mobility in the machinic-sounding harmonics around the main riff). David Lee Roth, Zen surfer, hangs ten on our sonic waves, screaming like something that’s lost its way in the jungle, and the band scream “I’M ON FIYAAHHH!” like a chorus from the fiery pit itself. At the solo, Eddie didn’t know what to play, and everyone shouted, ‘play like John McLaughlin’—it seemed to fit. This was one of the songs that illustrated the extent of the vocal work that was often done on these Van Halen recordings. The band recorded with almost zero overdubbing, but the vocals were overdubbed—but, paradoxically, it lends to the live feeling. On the fadeout, there are multiple Roth (and other) screams, but it just all makes it sound alive, on fire.

Eddie used his Ibanez Destroyer “Shark.”

On early studio outtakes, Mike and Dave sang the verses in unison.

This song was used to open the show on their 1978 World Tour.

Lyrics:

Turn your radios on
I’ll appear right there! Yes I will
Turn me up real loud
I’m in your, ears!
Now I’m hanging ten now baby
As I ride your sonic, ooh-wave
(Owwwwwwww!)

Good, God y’all
I’m on fire
I’m on fire
I’m on fire
I’m on fire

Oh yeah!
One time!

Fire!
Fire!
Fire!

(Guitar Solo)

Ow!
Woo!
Ahhh!
Ah-ha!

Ooo!
Ooo!

Lay your bodies down
I’m in your beds. Your beds
Throw your headphones on
I’m in your heads! Ah-ha!

Now I’m hangin’ ten now baby
As I ride your sonic, oo-wave
(Ahhhhhhhhhhh!)

Good God y’all

I’m on fire
I’m on fire
I’m on fire (Ow!)
I’m on fire (Woo! Woo!)
I’m on fire (Woo! Woo!)
I’m on fire (Wooooooo!)
I’m on fire
I’m on fire (Wooooooo!)
I’m on fire
I’m on fire (Ow!)
I’m on fire (Ah!)
I’m on fire (Ah!)