1-2-3-4 Fire
Penny Mclean · Profile [1980]
burning
Ooh - ooh
yearning
yearning ooh ooh
I feel it burning
burning ooh - ooh
yearning
yearning
Burning
burning ooh
ooh yearning
yearning ooh ooh
My heart is burning like a fire (fire
fire
fire . . .)
Didn't they tell you boy long ago don't play around with the fire
The way you look at me don't you know
Is driving my temperature higher
I keep on trying to play it
just like a game but there's no denying
I feel the desire 1-2-3-4 fire
My heart is burning
burning ooh - ooh
Yearning
yearning ooh ooh
. . .
Haven't you felt it
boy when we met
It was like thunder and lightning
When the dynomite's blowing up and
You can't escape
it is frightning
The flames are rising I'm falling
falling in love
I'm realizing it's more than desire
1-2-3-4 . . . fire
My heart is burning
burning ooh - ooh
. . .
1-2-3-4 Fire
Penny Mclean's "1-2-3-4 Fire" stands as a defining track from her 1980 album Profile, capturing the raw energy of early English new wave and punk. Recorded with a driving rhythm and Mclean's distinctive vocal delivery, the song exemplifies the genre's characteristic blend of aggression and melodic sensibility prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As part of her core discography, the recording reflects the era's shift towards more direct, guitar-forward pop-rock, distinguishing it from the softer synth-pop trends emerging elsewhere. The track remains a significant representation of Mclean's solo career, showcasing her ability to craft memorable hooks that resonated with audiences seeking the authentic sound of the period's underground music scene.