Bruce Springsteen – I'm on Fire

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  My Interpretation:I sincerely doubt that this song is about paedophilia, as some people seem to be suggesting. When referring to the girl's "daddy", he's obviously not talking about her actual father, but her partner. Especially in light of the lyrics "Tell me now baby, is he good to you / Can he do to you the things that I'll do". Bruce singing about incest and paedophilia in one song, that'd be a first.
  
  To me, the song is pretty straightforward in its meaning: a man (or maybe a horny teenage boy) passionately lusting after a woman who's already committed to someone else, losing sleep and his mind over it. Bruce's "screams" at the end are fantastic expressions of this agonizing frustration.

  Flagged SupaScoopaon May 15, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:This song is as much of a reference to pedophilia as Clive Dunn's "Grandad" song from the 70's. The one where the kids sing "Grandad, Grandad, you're lovely, thats what we all think of you". Sounds stupid doesnt it when its turned round the other way. Of course this had nothing to do with illegal and immoral sex with children. For goodness sake people

  Flag RussellUKon April 26, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:I would like to put a new slant on the opening two lines if I may.
  
  "Hey little girl is your Daddy home? Did he go out and leave you all alone?"
  
  This is Bruce's wordsmith skills at their best. He is alluding as to whether the girl is mentally grown up enough to be in an adult relationship - has she outgrown the need for her parent's love and nurturing, wise enough and mature enough to make her own decisions. He is clearly and obviously physically attracted to her by the freight train and the fire that will only be gone if she agrees to be with him, but the guy is looking for a relationship that stimulates him mentally too - so the enquiry is whether her Daddy has left her brain, her emotions, her thoughts - she no longer clings to him as a "Daddy's Girl". 'Did he go out and leave you all alone' means she is ready to stand on her own two feet.
  
  Just my perception of course

  Flag RussellUKon April 26, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:It's a very simple song. It has some sexual innuendos, certainly. "I can take you higher" "I got a bad desire." But I think it's mix of emotional and physical lust at the same time. Certainly no pedophelia, it amazes me people look THAT hard for something that grotesque. The daddy line, in my opinion, does refer to her father literally. But he is just inquiring if he is home or not, that way if he isn't they can...well, you know.
  
  "Sheets soaking wet" "six inch valley" lines are merely him thinking about it to the point of exhaustion. He is done mentally thinking about it, and by the end of the song, it's clear he needs her in a physical way to quench his "fire."

  Flag bosskboton December 20, 2012   Link

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• -1
  My Interpretation:The way I saw it is they are both very young. Daddy means her father, and he is asking if he is home so he can "visit her" "Woke up with the sheets soaken wet" He jizzed in his sleep. He just has teenage lust with a woman.

  Flagged Colin2k41on September 15, 2012   Link

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    Dirty mind :( The wetness is a cold sweat

    Flag Natalie98on November 29, 2012  
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  General Comment:Wow! a lot of comments on this one!
  
  I think it's about a teenage boy who wants a girl who is already commited to someone else. No pedophelia here. "Daddy" refers to that person she's involved with. The "6 inch valley" and "Sheets soakin' wet" represent the psychological torture he feels at times knowing he can't have her. Great song.

  Flag ryfall101on August 10, 2012   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:I always think of "In Country",when I hear it.I can relate to Emily Lloyds character.

  Flag emuInAmuumuuon April 25, 2012   Link

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• -3
  General Comment:About a guy wanting a younger female; he desires her and thinks about her constantly. I hate BS's voice and unfortunately I know every word to this song. It was played what seemed like millions of times when it was first released. It really isn't a bad song (and it's NOT about pedophilia...both are young) and she apparently is dating someone else...but he wants her. He's HORNY.

  Flagged TurnMeOnon November 11, 2011   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:I love to listen to my music on the bus on the way to work. After reading this thread, however when I come across this song in which I like but now its become kinda a joke after reading this thread. Its hilarious..whooo hoo

  Flag ChiLuluon May 10, 2011   Link

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  My Opinion:A fairly superficial and perhaps left-field note: the low, unobtrusive backbeat that never stops - particularly the non-lyrical parts - can be interpreted as sounding a lot like a train. It seems to move the song and story along so quickly (like the racing thoughts of the protagonist). It goes well with the train reference in the song, and is just another method Bruce uses to bring you into the song and emphasise the story. Crazy good.

  Flag Korron February 21, 2011   Link

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