About The Song
“Great Balls of Fire” is a rock and roll classic recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957. The song became one of Lewis’s signature tunes and is known for its energetic piano playing and spirited performance.
Five facts about “Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis – 1957”:
- Release and Chart Success: “Great Balls of Fire” was released in 1957 as a single by Jerry Lee Lewis. It quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
- Piano Pyrotechnics: The song is particularly notable for Jerry Lee Lewis’s electrifying piano performance. His frenetic and innovative piano playing style, including pounding the keys with his feet, added a dynamic element to the rock and roll genre.
- Controversy and Image: Jerry Lee Lewis’s flamboyant stage presence and wild behavior, both on and off-stage, contributed to his controversial image. Despite the controversy surrounding his personal life, “Great Balls of Fire” solidified his status as a rock and roll icon.
- Co-Writers: “Great Balls of Fire” was co-written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. The song’s lyrics and melody captured the exuberance and rebellious spirit of the emerging rock and roll movement in the 1950s.
- Cultural Impact: The song has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, ensuring its enduring presence in the rock and roll canon. Jerry Lee Lewis’s energetic and charismatic performance in the song is often regarded as a defining moment in the history of rock music.
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Lyrics
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 ’cause I thought it was funny
You came along and you moved me honey
I’ve changed my mind, this love is fine
Goodness gracious, great balls of fireKiss me, baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mineI chew my nails and then 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 fireWell kiss me, baby, ooh, feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I’ll still love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mineI chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
Real nervous, but it sure is fun
Come on, baby, drive me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire