Wildfire

Michael Martin Murphey

About Wildfire

"Wildfire" is a song written by Michael Martin Murphey and Larry Cansler. It was originally recorded by Murphey, who had yet to add his middle name to his recorded work, and appears on his gold-plus 1975 album Blue Sky – Night Thunder. Released in February 1975, as the album's lead single, "Wildfire" became Murphey's highest-charting Pop hit in the United States. The somber story song hit #2 in Cash Box and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1975. In addition, it hit the top position of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, displacing "Love Will Keep Us Together". The single continued to sell, eventually receiving platinum certification from the RIAA, signifying sales of over two million US copies. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. 


Year:
1975
4:48
740 
#2

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She comes down yellow mountain 
On a dark flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
Whirlwind by her side
On a cold Nebraska night

Oh, they say she died one winter
When there came a killing frost
And the pony she named Wildfire
Busted down his stall
In a blizzard she was lost

She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire

By the dark of the moon I planted
But there came an early snow
There's been a hoot owl howlin' by my window now
For six nights in a row
She's coming for me I know
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go

We'll be riding Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire

On Wildfire we're going to ride her
We're gonna leave sod bustin' behind
Get these hard times right on out of our minds
Riding Wildfire

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Michael Martin Murphey

Michael Martin Murphey (born March 14, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter best known for writing and performing Western music, Country music, and Popular music. A multiple Grammy nominee, Murphey has six gold albums, including Cowboy Songs, the first album of cowboy music to achieve gold status since Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs by Marty Robbins in 1959. He has recorded the hit singles "Wildfire", "Carolina in the Pines", "What's Forever For", "A Long Line of Love", "What She Wants", and "Don't Count the Rainy Days". Murphey is also the author of New Mexico's state ballad, "The Land of Enchantment". Murphey has become a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy. more »

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Written by: Larry Cansler, Martin Murphey Michael, Michael Martin Murphey

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Wildfire" is a popular song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey. Murphey recorded this song in 1975. He also co-wrote the piece with Larry Cansler.
Billboard Performance
"Wildfire" was immensely successful on the charts. It reached No. 1 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
Song Interpretation
The song tells a supernatural tale of a girl who dies in the winter and her horse, Wildfire, who in its search for her, also dies but their spirits cause a blizzard.
Inspiration
Murphey shared in an interview that the concept for "Wildfire" came from a dream he had about a ghost horse.
Album Presence
"Wildfire" is a lead single from Murphey's album entitled "Blue Sky - Night Thunder," which was given a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in June 1975.
Album Performance
"Blue Sky - Night Thunder album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard 200.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Wildfire." These performances span various genres, indicating the song's broad appeal. Artists include The Country Dance Kings, David Nail, and Sara Evans.
Live Performances
"Wildfire" is one of Murphey's most frequently performed songs during concerts.
Memorable Lyrics
The song opens with the memorable lyrics: "She comes down from Yellow Mountain; On a dark, flat land she rides."
Song Duration
The original studio recording of "Wildfire" runs for a duration of four minutes and forty-seven seconds.
Usage in Popular Culture
"Wildfire" has been used in several TV shows and movies. Examples include the TV series "The Wonder Years" and the film "Isn't It Romantic."
Accompanying Instruments
The song is characterized by the beautiful sounds of piano and strings, giving it a very melodious and flowing feel.
Artist Recognition
Murphey became an important figure in the American country music scene after "Wildfire's" success. He is now considered a pioneer of the progressive country movement of the 1970s.

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