Did you know?
“Great Balls of Fire” is a classic rock and roll song performed by the legendary American musician Jerry Lee Lewis. It was released in 1957 and has since become one of the most iconic and enduring songs of the genre. The song was co-written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.
Lyrically, “Great Balls of Fire” is an exuberant and passionate declaration of love, filled with energetic and somewhat provocative metaphors. The narrator describes the feeling of being in love as a fire, emphasizing the intensity and excitement of the emotion.
The song is perhaps best known for Jerry Lee Lewis’s electrifying and unconventional piano performance. His aggressive, high-energy piano playing style, marked by rapid glissandos and heavy use of the sustain pedal, became a defining characteristic of rock and roll music. Lewis’s live performances of the song were particularly memorable for his wild antics on the piano, often using his feet to kick the piano bench and even setting the instrument on fire.
“Great Balls of Fire” was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, with producer Sam Phillips, who was also responsible for launching the careers of other rock and roll legends such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. The song was an instant hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Jerry Lee Lewis’s dynamic performance style, often described as “rockabilly,” combined elements of boogie-woogie, blues, and country music, helping to shape the emerging rock and roll genre. His raw energy and charisma made him a controversial figure in his time but also a highly influential one.
Over the years, “Great Balls of Fire” has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films and television shows. The song has become an enduring symbol of the rock and roll era and continues to be celebrated for its infectious melody and Jerry Lee Lewis’s electrifying piano prowess. It remains a classic and timeless track in the history of American music, and its popularity endures to this day.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
“Great Balls Of Fire”
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill
Goodness gracious great balls of fireI laughed at love when I thought it was funny
But you came along and you moved me honey
I’ve changed my mind, this love is fine
Goodness gracious great balls of fire
Kiss me baby, woo, it feels good
Hold me baby, ooh, yeah, you gonna love me like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind, I’m gonna tell this world that you’re mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!
I chew my nails, I twiddle my thumbs
I’m really nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious great balls of fire
Ohhh, kiss me baby, woo-oooooo, feels good, yeah
Let me love you like a lover should.
You’re fine. So kind.
I gonna tell this world that you’re mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I’m real nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you drive me crazy
Goodness gracious great balls of fire