Album: Flaming Pie (1997)

License This Song 

• Making love underneath a bed
  Shooting stars from a purple sky
  I don't care how I do it
  I'm the man on the flaming pie
  
  Stick my tongue out and lick my nose
  Tuck my shirt in and zip my fly
  Go ahead, have a vision
  I'm the man on the flaming pie
  
  Everything I do has a simple explanation
  When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation
  I took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack
  Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
  
  Cut my toes off to spite my feet
  I don't know whether to laugh or cry
  Never mind, check my rhythm
  I'm the man on the flaming pie
  
  I'm the man on the flaming pie
  Now everything I do has a simple explanation (explanation)
  When I'm with you, you could do with a vacation (vacation)
  Took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack
  Now I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna get 'em back
  
  Ow
  
  Yeah
  
  Aha
  
  Yeah, aha Writer/s: Paul McCartney
  Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

• George from Brisbane AustraliaKristina from Albuquerque, Nm - I think your assertion that Paul is saying "hey, look everybody who thinks I was just some sad sack leeching off John Lennon's talents--I really was the brains behind the whole operation,"are a bit off the mark. As a lifelong Beatle fan I don’t know of anyone who thought of Paul as anything but equal to John on every level.
  My take is that in ‘Flaming Pie’ Paul’s meaning could be as simple as, ‘it was me that came up with Beetles with an A’.
• Kristina from Albuquerque, NmI think that by saying "I'm the man on the Flaming Pie," Paul is saying, "hey, look everybody who thinks I was just some sad sack leeching off John Lennon's talents--I really was the brains behind the whole operation." I see it as Paul dealing with popular myths about the Beatles that place John in the primary creative position. Paul is trying to reclaim his rightful place as a smart songwriter who contributed equally to the Beatles.
• Peter Boyko from Edmonton, CanadaMcCartney does this alot on Tour now
  but the words "Everything i do has a simple explanation" was sort of funny
  because the beatles sort of did everything and responded with the simplest of forms
  just quick smart remarks

More Songfacts:

I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)Meat Loaf

In Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" what he won't do is a list of six items in the lyrics, including "Forget the way you feel right now" and "Be screwing around."

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne

"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne is about the Cold War concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) should any nuclear missile be fired.

Hey JudeThe Beatles

Paul McCartney wrote "Hey Jude" to comfort John Lennon's 5-year-old son Julian, whose parents were getting a divorce.

Rockin' In The Free WorldNeil Young

"Rockin' In The Free World" is a very pro-America title, but the song takes on politicians who are indifferent to the poor and disenfranchised.

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen was the song of the summer in 2012 and a major meme. It got some help from her fellow Canadian Justin Bieber, who tweeted that it was "possibly the catchiest song I've ever heard."

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.