Burning House of Love
by X

Album: Ain't Love Grand (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Los Angeles punk band X took a hard sound on their album Ain't Love Grand, replacing their longtime producer Ray Manzarek with Michael Wagner, who was known for his work with Dokken and Great White. The song was predominately written by the group's bass player/vocalist John Doe, who said in a 1986 Rock Scene interview: "It's taken me about 15 years to be able to write a song that's as simple and direct as 'Burning House of Love'"
  • The album title is a reference to the relationship between John Doe and X lead singer Exene Cervenka, who were married from 1980-1985. When we spoke with Doe in 2010, he told us about continuing his working relationship with Exene. Said Doe: "It wasn't easy at first. During Ain't Love Grand! it was pretty hard. But it certainly was friendship based on respect first, and then it became more of a romantic relationship. We started on a good footing and it hasn't always been easy, but we've been able to maintain it." (Check out our full John Doe interview.)

Comments: 1

  • John from Los AngelesOne of the best things about X is they respect their audience to use their imaginations. On this song, there are a lot lf lyrics that describe half a picture, and they leave it to us to fill in the blanks. I love the lyrics about the horseshoe. Like the guy was close to the end of a relationship, and in this song, he really reached the end.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.