Great Balls of Fire

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"Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 song written and sung by Otis Blackwell, although it is most well known for Jerry Lee Lewis's version. It was released as a 45rpm single on the Sun Records label. The song title is derived from a blasphemous Southern expression that makes light of the Pentecost's defining moment when the Holy Spirit manifested itself as "cloven tongues as of fire" and the Apostles spoke in tongues.

The song was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone.

[edit] Adaptations

In 1989, a motion picture of the same name detailed part of the life of Jerry Lee Lewis. It starred Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder. Some cast and crew members had their names removed from the project. Despite poor reviews, Quaid received much acclaim for his performance.

[edit] Covers

• Electric Light Orchestra recorded a version for their 1974 The Night the Light Went on (in Long Beach) live album.
• Dolly Parton recorded a version in 1979.
• Teitur recorded a version in 2006, released on the Stay Under the Stars album.
• Fallopian recorded a version in 2006. A live performance can be seen here.

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