Do unto others, as they have done unto you
But what the hell is this world coming to

Blow the universe, into nothingness
Nuclear warfare, shall lay us to rest

Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear

We all shall die

Time is like a fuse, short and burning fast
Armageddon is here, like said in the past

Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear

Soon to fill our lungs, the hot winds of death
The gods are laughing, so take your last breath

Fight fire with fire
Ending is near
Fight fire with fire
Bursting with fear

Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire
Fight fire with fire, fight!


Lyrics submitted by fennsk, edited by RyanWolfeh

Fight Fire With Fire song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

47 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    Not only is this a great song, it conveys the feelings towards nuclear war and the fears society has of it.

    Rhakinthemageon March 19, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't know about you but the solos in this song are some of the greatest... even if they're not that long, they still sound great.

    ClaytonOTon March 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The biblical sense of "retibutive justice" could be the catalyst that causes a nuclear holocaust.

    Jigokusabreon April 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Along with "One", "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and "Disposable Heroes" is yet another anti-war song... basically questioning the whole attitude of nuclear build up... the attitude where if we have more nukes then them, they won't dare use theirs...

    Ogre8954on May 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The album "Ride the Lightning" explores death and dying from different point of views. This one is about nuclear war.

    Debbie65on July 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it means if we launch a nuke they will so we both die

    metallicaman123on August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Opinions are like asses... everybodys got one and they all stink!

    DELLshellon October 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i heard that they made this song while on cocaine?is this true?

    Metalickahon November 10, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ride The Lightning is their best album. And the was the perfect track to kick it off.

    mg16on January 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Metalickah:

    the only mebers that ever took drugs were Dave and cliff.

    Dave got kicked out of the band for it

    puppetmasteron March 14, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Album art
Another Love
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
Album art
Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.