Album: United State Of Mind (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the Hollywood actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. In a Songfacts interview with Maxi Priest, explained the meaning behind the lyrics. "I remember we were in the studio trying to create a song about a seductive, provocative, and strong woman," he said. "Robin came up with the idea of Zsa Zsa Gabor and we just went for it! 'Who's a fire like Zsa Zsa,' the progression, melodies, and the lyrical content just flowed."

    Born Sári Gábor, Zsa Zsa was a Hugarian-American actress and socialite who starred in films such as Lovely To Look At and Moulin Rouge. Outside of Hollywood, she was known for her extravagant party lifestyle and her string of husbands: She was married nine times! In 1961, her home in Bel Air was destroyed following a brush fire. Burt Lancaster and Joan Fontaine were among the other celebrities whose houses were lost to the flames. Speaking to the press at the time, Zsa Zsa complained: "My three dark minks, my white mink, my sables, some really very nice little jewels are gone."
  • The United State Of Mind album is a one-off collaboration teaming the soul singer Maxi Priest, the guitar legend Robin Trower, and the acclaimed producer Livingstone Brown. It was released when both COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter protests were dominating the news cycle. Maxi Priest told us he felt it was a "blessing" the album came out during such an explosive few months, adding: "USM is a journey! If you close your eyes and think of Martin Luther King, Kennedy, Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali, you will find similarities in the times, reminding us all that we are still fighting the fight and that with a 'united state of mind' we can overcome."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.