Probably the only Rick James song I like. The song very beautiful and the passion in their voices R powerful. It was a pretty odd duet with him and Teena Marie but they pulled it off well. Personally I love the song and the fire and desire it portrays in it's lyrics and performance of the song. Who else loves this song.

Rinluv said:

lilgish said:

For real....

Great song. The duet isn't really odd between Rick and Teena because Rick was a major part in Teena's earlier albums on Motown. The chemistry was perfect between the two of them. Teena Marie was still great on her own but nothing compares to her years together with Rick James.

If you like "Fire and Desire", you'll probably like their follow up duet called "Happy" on his very next album "Throwin' Down". It's not as good a song as "Fire and Desire" but it's still that great Rick James/Teena Marie chemistry burning up the record.

funkpill said:

You better listen to "Street Songs" before there's a riot.

UndercovaBrotha said:

And also Listen to..... "COME GET IT" "BUSTIN OUT OF L 7" "FIRE IT UP" GARDEN OF LOVE" "THROWIN DOWN" COLDBLOODED" "GLOW" "WONDERFUL" "URBAN RHAPSODY" cause some PUNK FUNK needs to get in that persons blood PRONTO!!!

& Spacey love,from the "Bustin out" album
/peace Manki

vainandy said:

When you listen to this song, you can feel the intesity and energy between them. They don't make powerful ballads like that no more and I don't know if energy like that can every be duplicated in a recording. That's what in a way kind of made Rick's last televised performance with Teena just that special.

I like this song,but I don't love it

I think it's overrated and it's certainly not the best slow jam Rick ever came up with.And the lyrics are kinda corny...

"tasted your teardrop stains...yeah"


A decent song,and a powerful vocal performance from Teena,but not one of my favorites.I prefer "Dream Maker","Spacey Love" and "Ebony Eyes".

I like Uh, "Mary Jane" 2. That beat is hot 2 death.

lilgish said:

ditto, what about 'spacy love' and 'happy'? mary jane(i love this one along with happy), and other ones i can't think of now?

Rinluv said:

No doubt. It's a definite classic with that thumpin bassline.

It's alright, but is seriously lacking a melody. Just a bunch of shouting n'stuff.

lilgish said:

The only One?!?!

AsianConnection said:

I said probably, actually I have a couple.

Great track.

I think Teardrops or Island Lady are my fav. Slick Rick ballads.

RUinsane said:

sinisterpentatonic said:

U again, why U keep talkin' shit. Why dont U read the other things I've said on this thread. I've mentioned "Mary Jane", and I also like "Ebony Eyes".
[Edited 8/8/05 21:45pm]

Rick & Teena on "You and I" Tour 2004 Dallas


Speaking of "Fire and Desire", there's a really interesting story behind it. Have you all heard it? Yes/No? Well, I'll tell it anyway Teena was under a lot of stress when it came time to record the song. She was going through monetary difficulties with her label (Motown)--She wanted OUT of her contract & she had not too long ended an often turbulent relationship with Rick James. So, she was in the hospital with a very high fever suffering from a nervous breakdown when Rick called her from the studio and told her that he was going to send someone to pick her up. When he learned about her high fever, he told her that he could get another girl to do, but he knew that Teena wasn't going to have that. Burning up with a fever, Teena jumps out of her sick bed and rushed to the studio. It's 2 a.m. in the morning when she arrives. Teena recorded the song in 40 mins/one-take and they took her back to the hospital. That's also how she got the name "One-take-Teena" Rick said over the air in 2004 that "Fire and Desire" was about their relationship, but I heard that he would tease her and tell her that it was about another woman and she would tell him if its about another woman then tell me her name. He just grinned and never gave her a name.

Back in the late 90's, Teena said that she and Rick could never re-create that same magic they had on "Fire and Desire" again. She said that they could perform it for people, but as far as going back in studio and re-recording it, she said it just wouldn't be all that fabulous.

To answer your question I love "Fire and Desire". I don't think that there's every been a song sung with so much burning passion before. Especially between a black man and a white woman. I guess Teena's all white, but for some reason one side of her family doesn't want to show her her family tree. Could she have some black people in that tree? I also love "My Love, "Slow and Easy". I like a lot of his slow songs though. I always thought that he could write some beautiful ballads. Who would have thought that Rick James--"SuperFreak"--"Give To Me Baby"-- could write a song like "Deja Vu" for Teena, but he did get a lot inspiration from reading Teena's poems, I've heard.

NouveauDance said:

"Hollywood" is a hot Rick slow track, too!!! And don't sleep on "When The Love's Gone"!

'Make Love To Me'

is another classic Rick James ballad...

manki said:

I Luv that Tune!!



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Sarai said:

Excellent essay BTW!!!