About the song
“Great Balls of Fire” is a seminal rock and roll anthem that captured the exuberant spirit of the 1950s. Released in 1957 by American musician Jerry Lee Lewis, the song quickly cemented its place in the annals of rock history, characterized by its frenetic piano riffs and energetic vocal delivery. Written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer, the track was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and was a defining moment in Lewis’s career. The recording, notable for its dynamic use of piano, bass, and drums, became a significant hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Country charts, and topping the UK Singles Chart.
The origins of “Great Balls of Fire” are as electrifying as its music. The song was cut during a session on October 8, 1957, featuring Jerry Lee Lewis on piano and vocals, with Sidney Stokes on bass and session drummer Larry Linn. Remarkably, the recording session marked a rare occasion where Lewis did not use his usual band members, Jimmy Van Eaton and Roland Janes. Despite this, the song’s raw energy and spirited performance captured the zeitgeist of the rock and roll era, selling over a million copies in its first ten days of release and becoming one of the best-selling singles of its time.
The song’s influence extended beyond the charts. It featured prominently in the 1957 film *Jamboree*, showcasing Lewis’s charismatic stage presence alongside other rock legends such as Fats Domino and Buddy Knox. The track’s vibrant sound also found its way into other media, including the 1964 album *Live at the Star Club, Hamburg*, and has been celebrated in various ways ever since.
In addition to its commercial success, “Great Balls of Fire” has had a lasting cultural impact. The song was immortalized in the 1989 biopic *Great Balls of Fire!*, which portrayed Lewis’s life and career, and inspired the title of the film. The track’s energetic lyric “Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!” even influenced professional wrestling and pop culture, with WWE hosting an event named after the song in 2017, and Ric Flair adopting the iconic “Wooo!” catchphrase inspired by Lewis’s performance.
Furthermore, “Great Balls of Fire” continues to resonate in popular culture. It was featured in the 1986 film *Top Gun*, performed by Anthony Edwards’s character Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, and reappeared in the 2022 sequel *Top Gun: Maverick* performed by Miles Teller. The song’s legacy was further honored in 1998 when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
With its catchy melody and explosive energy, “Great Balls of Fire” remains a quintessential piece of rock and roll history, celebrating its creator’s spirited performance and enduring influence across decades.
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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 fire
I 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 fire
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, mine
I 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 fire
Well 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, mine
I 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