What was the number one song in the UK on 14th August 1968?

British rock band Crazy World of Arthur Brown, got to number 1 for 1 week with Fire.

My first experience of hearing Fire was actually via The Prodigy and their own track Fire which samples the “I am the God of Hell fire and I bring you” famous opening line. I then heard it again while watching an episode of The Young Ones, which I thought was strange as The Young Ones was around a long time before The Prodigy existed as a band. So, a little research told me that both were sampling from a 60’s psychedelic song. The song itself is wonderful example of 60s psychedelica. It is distinguished by it’s lack of guitar and bass and predominance of a Hammond organ and brass orchestra section. It also has a great beat throughout the majority of the song, which ultimately led to it’s popularity. Just don’t listen to it while on acid, that’s my sage advice for you.

Lyrics

I am the God of Hell fire and I bring you

Fire, I’ll take you to burn
Fire, I’ll take you to learn
I’ll see you burn

You fought hard and you saved and earned
But all of it’s going to burn
And your mind, your tiny mind
You know you’ve really been so blind
Now ‘s your time burn your mind
You’re falling far too far behind

Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
You’re gonna burn

Fire, to destroy all you’ve done
Fire, to end all you’ve become
I’ll feel you burn

You’ve been living like a little girl
In the middle of your little world
And your mind, your tiny mind
You know you’ve really been so blind
Now’s your time to burn your mind
You’re falling far too far behind

Fire, I’ll take you to burn
Fire, I’ll take you to learn
I’ll see you burn

You’re gonna burn
You’re gonna burn
You’re gonna burn
Burn
Burn
Burn
Burn
Burn
Burn

Fire, I’ll take you to burn
Fire, I’ll take you to learn
Fire, I’ll take you to burn
Fire, I’ll take you to learn