Falling, falling
The sun is burning black
Falling, falling
It's beating on my back
With a fire, with a fire
Falling, falling
And the moon is running red
Falling, falling
It's pulling me instead
With a fire, fire
But there's a fire inside
When I'm falling over
There's a fire in me
When I call out
I built a fire
I'm going home
Falling, falling
The stars are falling down
Falling, falling
They knock me to the ground
With a fire, fire
And there's a fire inside
When I'm falling over
There's a fire in me
When I call out
There's a fire inside
When I'm falling over
I feel the fire
I'm burning up
The sun is burning black
Falling, falling
It's beating on my back
With a fire, with a fire
Falling, falling
And the moon is running red
Falling, falling
It's pulling me instead
With a fire, fire
When I'm falling over
There's a fire in me
When I call out
I built a fire
I'm going home
Falling, falling
The stars are falling down
Falling, falling
They knock me to the ground
With a fire, fire
When I'm falling over
There's a fire in me
When I call out
There's a fire inside
When I'm falling over
I feel the fire
I'm burning up
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"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!" –Revelation 18:2 This song is a reflection of things to come —mainly based from Revelation— as we see imagery of a blackened sun, the moon turned red as blood and meteorites falling from the sky. Of course, Bono makes this a personal confliction, as thoughts of being consumed as a martyr, during the Second Coming of the Lord, plague him. He is also divided between his faith and the world (which will surely end up as Babylon).
October is one of my favorite U2 albums, and "Fire" one of my favorite songs. Each song on October has the same dark and gritty feel to it. I love it because their youth is so clearly evident in the earlier lyrics. If you compare this song to one of U2's newer ones, it's clear to see how much they have grown and evolved since then. "Fire" was written at a confusing time for U2. Bono (and the rest of the band for that matter) was at a crossroads regarding religion and spirituality.
Bono was deeply concerned that his love for his music would be his downfall. He was at a point where he'd become deeply religious but he didn't want to give up his love affair with rock music either. He wondered if being a part in U2 would somehow go against the religion he'd become so involved in. I think this song reflects the conflict he felt in the early 80's when he was just coming into his own. "Fire" refers to him intensely wondering if by carrying on this rock and roll lifestyle, if his ultimate fate would be to end up in the fiery depths of hell. I have no doubt this song is about Hell in and of itself. He wonders if the life he is choosing is just hell trying to pull him under.
I can't believe no one has commented on this song!!! it is probably my fav. next to "tomorrow" its sooo good....the stars are falling down.....the edge is my hero :D
To me this song always meant that when things are black and the stars are falling down, all these things that are going bad around you and you're getting really mad. There's a fire! Something that makes you call out.
Obvious references to Revelations, but with Bono's call backs, as if it doesn't apply to him.
It's interesting to note that British (European?) pressing of the LP include a snippet of an early rendition of Fire after Shadows and Tall Trees. This is missing on the American LP and all CD releases (too bad).
By the way, I like to refer to that snippet as The Spark, as in "the spark that set the flame," or in this case, the Fire.
Great song. Great band. Great record.