“Put Out the Fire” is an anti-firearm song written by May, with lead vocals by Mercury. May recorded its guitar solo under the influence of alcohol. The lyrics to the first verse strongly hint to John Lennon’s murder by Mark Chapman.
[Verse 1]
They called him a hero
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand, boy
He disappointed me
So I got my handgun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
I had to make him pay
[Pre-Chorus]
You might fear for my reason
I don't care what they say
Look out, baby, it's the season
For the mad masquerade
[Chorus]
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Oh, you need a bullet like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Don't believe what your granddaddy said
[Verse 2]
She was my lover
It was a shame that she died
But the constitution
Is right on my side
'Cause I caught my lover
In my neighbor's bed
I got retribution
Filled 'em all full of lead
[Pre-Chorus]
I've been told it's the fashion
To let me on the streets again
It's nothing but a crime of passion
And I'm not to blame
[Chorus]
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
You need a weapon like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire, baby
Put out the fire
And let your sons and your daughters sleep sound in their beds
[Guitar Solo]
[Pre-Chorus]
You know a gun never killed nobody
You can ask anyone
People get shot by people
People with guns
[Chorus]
(Oh, yeah) Put out the fire (Wooh!)
Put out the fire (Come on!)
You need a gun like a hole in the head
Put out the fire (Wooh!)
Put out the fire
Put out the fire (Yeah)
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law is dead
[Outro]
Ah, hey!
Take it and fire!
Ah!
Yeah!
Shoot, shoot!
Ha!
Shoot, shoot, shoot!
Put Out the Fire was written by Brian May.
Put Out the Fire was produced by Reinhold Mack & Queen.
Queen released Put Out the Fire on Fri May 21 1982.