Great Balls of Fire is a rock and roll song written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.
It was first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957 and became one of his biggest hits, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the R&B chart.
The song’s upbeat tempo and Lewis’s electrifying piano playing and wild stage performances made it a classic of the rock and roll genre.
The Great Balls Of Fire Lyrics
Verse 1
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!
Verse 2
I laughed at love ‘coz 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!
Chorus
Kiss me, baby
Mmmmh, it feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I’m off to love you like a lover should
Oh! You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
Verse 3
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!
Chorus
Well, kiss me, baby
Mmmmh, it feels good
Hold me, baby
Well, I’m off to love you like a lover should
You’re fine, so kind
Got to tell this world that you’re mine, mine, mine, mine
Verse 3
I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
Real nervous, but it sure is fun
Come on, baby
You’re driving me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!
Facts About The Great Balls Of Fire Lyrics
| FACT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Great Balls of Fire |
| Songwriter(s) | Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer |
| Artist | Jerry Lee Lewis |
| Release Year | 1957 |
| Chart Performance | Reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the R&B chart |
| Genre | Rock and roll |
| Instrumentation | Piano, guitar, drums, bass |
| Notable Lyrics | “You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain / Too much love drives a man insane / You broke my will, oh what a thrill / Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!” |
| Legacy | Has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in films, television shows, and commercials |
| Influence on Rock and Roll | Helped establish rock and roll as a mainstream music genre |
| Cultural Significance | Considered a classic of the rock and roll genre and a defining moment in the history of popular music |
| Controversy | Lewis’s controversial personal life and marriage to his 13-year-old cousin caused the song to be banned in some places |
If you enjoyed learning about the lyrics of this iconic hit, be sure to check out more of my content about song lyrics for other timeless classics and modern favorites.
