Fire So Close is a song from James’ debut EP Jimone released in 1983 and the Village Fire EP in 1985.
The song is an anti-nuclear tirade looking at Wayne (the US) and Ivan (Soviet Union) facing each other.
It was slowed down and renamed Why So Close for the Stutter LP three years later.
Details
LyricsReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Why so close
Big boys in black hats
Cowboys with white guns
White guns shoot blue white
Blue white baptism
No buffaloes
No Indians
No more buffaloes
Red sky is falling
Blue blood no stalling
White heat will strip you
No time to run far
Ivan's built a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts
Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why so close, so close
Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hand on his gun waiting for the storm
One false move and we all fall down
No funeral games, no such fun
Here's your ticket to the party
That's what you get for playing with a gun
Six-gun so close
Ivan's got a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts
Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hands on his gun waiting for the storm
Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why?
Big boys in black hats
Cowboys with white guns
White guns shoot blue white
Blue white baptism
No buffaloes
No Indians
No more buffaloes
Red sky is falling
Blue blood no stalling
White heat will strip you
No time to run far
Ivan's built a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts
Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why hang the fire so close
Why so close, so close
Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hand on his gun waiting for the storm
One false move and we all fall down
No funeral games, no such fun
Here's your ticket to the party
That's what you get for playing with a gun
Six-gun so close
Ivan's got a wall of lead round his house
Nobody can get in or out
Running out of food for ammunition
Frightened of the darkness
Sending out scouts
Wayne's got a wall that's much more subtle
Wore headphones since he was born
Watches Ivan through dark glasses
Hands on his gun waiting for the storm
Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why stand the fire so close
Why?
Song: | Fire So Close |
Released: | November 1983 |
Main Associated Album (or Single): | Jimone EP |
First Heard Live: | Unknown Venue – 22nd November 1982 |
- Side B – Factory Demo Tape :Promo, Album, 1983
- Jimone EP :Studio, EP, 1983
- Village Fire – Five Offerings From James EP :Compilation, EP, 1985
- Fresh As A Daisy (Reference CD) :Promo, Album, 2007
- Fresh As A Daisy – The Singles :Compilation, Album, 2007
- Manchester Arena – 26th April 2013
- London Brixton Academy – 19th April 2013
- Glasgow SECC – 13th April 2013
- London Royal Albert Hall – 4th November 2011
- Gateshead Sage – 2nd November 2011
- Manchester Bridgewater Hall – 1st November 2011
- Manchester Bridgewater Hall – 31st October 2011
- Liverpool Philharmonic – 29th October 2011
- Liverpool Philharmonic – 28th October 2011
- Nottingham Royal Centre – 27th October 2011
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – 25th October 2011
- Birmingham Symphony Hall – 24th October 2011
- Cardiff Millennium Centre – 23rd October 2011
- Manchester Ritz – 12th April 1988
- London Astoria – 2nd October 1987
- Manchester Green Rooms – 9th August 1987
- Glasgow Fury Murrays – 6th August 1987
- Birmingham Burberries – 28th July 1987
- Sheffield University – 28th May 1987
- Sunderland Poly – 15th May 1987
- Northampton Old Five Bells – 10th January 1987
- London ULU – 9th January 1987
- Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre – 9th November 1986
- London Brixton Academy – 1st December 1983
- Liverpool State Ballroom – 23rd March 1983
- Unknown Venue – 22nd November 1982
Unavailable