Electric Light Orchestra: Fire on High Meaning

Fire on High Lyrics

Fire on High

Electric Light Orchestra

Kcab nrut ,kcab nrut ,kcab nrut ,kcab nruT

Ton si emit tuB

Elbisrever si gnos ehT

1. anonymous

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   Feb 29th 2020 !⃝

   I have no idea what fire in high means. Even though theres a book out of the aame name. Is it slang maybe?
   
   *Face the music* is easier to understand given the
   album cover imagery
2. anonymous

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   Aug 8th 2019 !⃝

   There is no need to be freaked out with this wonderful story. Lynne is simply retelling an old story in his own brilliant and unique way. In 1667, John Milton wrote 'Paradise Lost' and mirrored the Biblical story of man's fall and redemption. The concept is that we have all begun in our own hell, hoping to be redeemed to heaven, happiness, bliss, El Dorado, or, dare I say, our own Xanadu. In 'Fire on High', as with Milton, the Bible, and John Travolta dancing in 'Satan's Alley' in the movie, Stayin' Alive', we start in Hell. From the very beginning of the song [time stamp 0:01], we get tension with the violins and the backward-masking giving us the illusion of a demonic language (it's not, by the way, it is simply the words, "The music is reversible, but time isn't... turn back... turn back..." recorded backwards). We hear doors slamming, running footsteps, and other haunted-house staples but, interestingly, at [time stamp] 1:01, off in the distance, we hear "The Hallelujah Chorus" being sung by angels! There is hope! There is a way out! But that hope is snuffed out with atonal and asymmetrical violins [1:21] that try to overshadow Hope. At [1:30], a triumphant drum-beat begins followed by joy and hope mixed with confusion [1:34] of the lost; can I truly get out? Is there hope?. But the cadence continues and the confusion fades away. At [2:00] the Way Out appears and you, the Lost, begin walking out of your hell... slowly at first but with more and more confidence. At [2:43], the guitar ushers in Happiness to the traveler for the first time, giving you permission to smile. At [2:56], the drums then give us permission to dance and at [3:15], the violins proclaim 'Fire on High!' just before the Angel Choir actually says it. At [3:28], the violins of confusion that we heard earlier are transformed into violins of confidence and strength while still telling you that something Big is about to happen. The listener must now enter their Heaven with the 'Walk of the Redeemed' that begins at [3:51]. Choirs of Angels line your path; the cadence is set; you must walk this final path. Finally, after a lifetime in hell, we have made our way here and [4:22] tells us that we have arrived with guitars, drums, dancing, satisfaction, and happiness as we repeat our anthem of salvation... "Fire on High!, Fire on High!
3. Aries

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   Mar 15th 2019 !⃝

   The Salem witch trials,,or something similar
4. anonymous

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   Mar 15th 2019 !⃝

   About the Salem (or.anotber place and time) witch trials possibly?
5. anonymous

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   Jun 5th 2016 !⃝

   The lyrics, backward, "state music is reversible, time is not." As Jeff Lynne attempted to recreate the Beatles sound, I would say this is his homage to their dabbling in reverse music.

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