Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire Lyrics

Lyric discussion by grumman53 

Cover art for Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire lyrics by Joni Mitchell

This song didn't mean much before I used, but after using for awhile – It hit me and I understood (completely). I interpreted the cold blue steel to be the needle and the sweet fire -- the fire under the spoon to cook up with. I was around 20 when I began using – that’s when I discovered pawn shops. I’d never had a need before that. Money is necessary to get that sweet relief. I am somewhat amazed that Joni wrote this song without actually being an addict. I guess that’s part of her innate ability to experience how others perceive things.

She was coming out of a relationship with James Taylor, who had a heroin addiction at the time. Looks like she saw it all...up close and personal.