Michael Martin Murphey's Wildfire

[66yatezy76]

goose bumps still when I hear this song. As a young boy in the 70's there were amazing songs that would just spell bound ya,and this was one. Miss the 70's greatest decade and artists!

[frostygirl10]

reminds me of the first time I saw him in concert, a truly timeless song and beautiful song.

[robinscottsdale]

This song was big when I was 11 years old. I've come to appreciate it more as I've gotten older. It is a beautiful song, certainly Michael Martin Murphey's opus, in my humble opinion. This is the best vocal rendition I've heard and the orchestra is great. His appearance on David Letterman in 2007 was electric, as his trips there and performing on late night TV are very rare. Great job here!

[suzywoozy71]

This song made me all teary eyed as a little girl living in Kentucky. ;)

[johnnyhuis]

What a sensational song! Lets you reflect! Greatly performed, well written, and sung!

[TheLaluna1]

I think any girl who loves horses loves this song. I cry everytime I hear it. I don't have a horse now andi miss it so much.

[denniswilsonfan]

my 7th grade music teacher loved MMM. we used to sing this and Carolina in the Pines almost everyday we were in there. some songs just bring back good memories, this is one of them. the beauty of being a 13 year old again, pretty thoughts, too bad life got messed up along the way.

[troop14lb]

Memory. Never tired of listening this song. The best. Glad to hear you song again after of these years.

[tadejgirl]

Beautiful song. Thanks for sharing Les! :)

[CaptCymru]

My wife and I were still newly wed when we first heard this on the radio one winter morning in 1975 . As I had recently returned from a business trip to Nebraska, the song really grabbed me.

Since my wife died, this song has become an anthem of the undying and haunting aspects of true love.

[schlabresfan]

So sorry, but so true

[hfernz]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard but since I live in Malaysia, it took me a long time to actually to locate it and download it from the Net, particularly since I had only heard it on the radio twice and couldn't really pin down singer or name of the song. I did locate and download the song recently. It has a most beautiful and tragic feel to it. I am sorry to hear about your loss, but I am glad that the beauty of this song touches you still.

[ednorandrewrowe]

Tickled the 8 year old daughter to get her out of bed this a.m. for church, but since she was next to the 21 year old sister, this caused her to be kicking her older sister like a little horse, I told her she was a strong little horse & started singing "Wildfire", which came to mind; part about leaving "stall busin' behind", Instead of just taking credit for my brilliance in coming up with a tune my kids have never heard, on any subject, I quick you tubed this & played loud. ITS ORCHESTRAL!

[billjoe39]

I was looking up "Don't count the rainy days," when I noticed "Wildfire", which like the other song also brought back some memories. I heard his name back in the 80's, but being a kid I didn't match his name up with these good songs, now I finally know who sings them. I'll have to look for his compilation!

[srch4you]

A beautiful song that just won't go away. It has touched so many people throughout the world, this song is truly a masterpiece. I love the original studio recording best. The songs evokes very strong emotions and really does bring tears to so many eyes, in a good way. Thank you so much for posting this beautiful and touching song.

[dhiaaah]

this song gives me goosebumps and tears ...

what a beautiful voice and song ..

thanx for posting this artistic piece of music :)

[lewis3265]

In 1973, Murphey signed to Epic Records In 1975, he released his seminal album, Blue Sky, Night Thunder, which contained the hit "Carolina in the Pines" and what is perhaps his masterpiece, "Wildfire", a sentimental song about the ghosts of a woman and her horse. As a boy, he first heard from his grandfather the story of a ghost horse rescuing people in the desert. Years later, Murphey had a dream about this ghost horse and wrote the words and music the same day with songwriter Larry Cansler.

[lewis3265]

I'm mostly into heavy metal and hip hop music but this song is very touching. I remember hearing it for the first time when I was a child in the 70"S. Song makes me cry.

[diypositivedeviance]

The dream-like quality of this song is incredible. I enjoy it so much! Thank you for posting this version.

[markymustang]

thank you for loving this song as much as I do. It reminds me of a peaceful place in yellowstone around a campfire with friends and family many years ago. Someday I hope to find that campfire again. Peace to all!

[472729393]

I teach this song to my Korean students because they need to see the truly awesome artistic talent that is America.

[BestReadBlind]

Thank you very much for your sentiments; it is truly an honor and privilege to spread cultural exchange throughout the world. It is one of the things I enjoy most about presenting my videos here on YouTube. Im sure Murph would be quite pleased to learn of your ambassadorship.

THE RED

[lilyreesee]

Always loved this song. Beautiful!

[joferr37]

wow, nice song and vocal...great song.

[whitetuber]

Wow is right.

[mjkrules]

Wow, goosebumps and tears. Something about this performance touched me deeply.

[OLDIES59]

WOW, for all these years I thought he was saying gonna leave South Boston behind, but I looked it up and he's saying sod busting, as in digging up the land to plant fruits/vegetables....that makes more since, since this gorgeous song is about living out in the Country you learn something new everyday.

[TERSEoner]

its actually bout a dream of a horse as he said

[irishlady51]

All you have to do is look up the lyrics of the song. I checked several different sites & only 1 so far had a completely different line instead of sodbusting. And, as far as changing words to fit your life/situation, that could change the meaning & that's plain stupid & disrespectful of the writer of the song(s).

On Wildfire we're gonna ride

Gonna leave sodbustin' behind

Get these hard times right on out of our minds

Riding Wildfire

[leichna]

It's a pity no one can play the piano part exactly like the original recording

[bombie1138]

That was beautiful,...

[SarmyElizabeth]

I loved the radio version, but this is simply breathtaking. Thank you for sharing it.

[ozzieray]

I have always liked the song, but at the first he said "on a cold nebraska night" and at the end he says "gonna leave south boston behind" am i missing something? or missunderstanding something?

[SarmyElizabeth]

I believe the part at the end is: "We're gonna leave sod bustin' behind" :)

[orbit15]

i think the words are sod busting and now south boston. But as in any song, make the words work for your own life/situation. B

[chad4617]

Great story that couldn't be told better by anyone!! Powerful to say the least!

[nightshade7206]

Ive been in love with this man since I was a child. The first time I heard this particular song I was immediately in love.

[orbit15]

i know where one of his homes are

[DrMalPracktiss]

I don't think you could ever better the original album track (not the pared-down-for-radio cut) with the longer-held vocal note on the final "wildfire." It is so juicy, that note, and will really hit you where you live. Check it out if you love this tune, in case you haven't already.

But that being said, I really like this live rendition with the lilting piano throughout - very nice. Thanks for the up!

[BestReadBlind]

I agree with your assessment of those original recordings... of course the skill level of those professional sound engineers far exceeds my humble ability's... but we did the best we could with what we had. Thanks for the complement but truth be told- the credit belongs to 'Murph and Eric Ness

[sweeeeetieeeee]

LOVE IT!

[christhirst]

Wow! What a powerful voice by Mr. Murphy. Good video Best Read Blind and thanks for helping me set up the No More Victims Awareness Benefit Concert. Peace

[brisbailrocks]

The imagery of this song gets to me every time. I have loved this song since I was a kind in the 70's.

[byte301]

Awesome.  Thanks for posting it.

[lobo81865]

Great song. I've got all of MMM's cowboy cd's too. Good stuff.

[LiveCT]

MMM Is an American icon and treasure- we should have a wildfire holiday; a day to celebrate horses, people and the earth

[judyview]

Can't thank you enough for the post.

[aginghipster]

As crazy as this may sound it has been rumored that Professional wrestler Greg Valentine co-wrote this song. Reportedly Valentine and Murphy traveled together back in the mid-70's.

[bigblockmustang]

My Mustang is named Wildfire!

Les

[PebbleBreeze]

Im in my 30's and I love his work, especially medicine man, wildfire, etc. My mom turned me on to him when I was a kid - she's a horse lover and would stop the car when wildfire came on!

[doa666jamie]

I get the chills every time i hear this song..very wonderful

[Jamwitholdies]

This song makes me cry! Reminds me of my daughter who died in a car wreck almost 19 years ago. She was a wonderful rider and this was one of her favorite songs. I can still see her riding with the wind at her back and her long black hair blowing in the wind. She had a black 5 gaited stallion that she rode in shows.

And she did die in winter, on January 15.

I miss her so much! Died at 26, way too young!

[emptycases45]

Jam, Anyone that has lost someone close like you and I, have a big hole blown through their spirit. All we can do is live on, as our loved ones would want. Nothing anyone can say or do seems to help so I won't bother. Believe me, it gets better after time, not much but it does. I truly believe in the herreafter, and if you do, you must know that she is riding her wildfire everyday... I'm sure she was something to see on that stallion! Love her and take care

[kecho21]

Glad found poss post,I 2 lost my xlov his name was Frosty:)Bk in 77 this sg got me thru his death cus of the name came killin Frost had a horse2,(no pity)Im facin death only its all good cus Im grabn Wildfire:)and go meet Frost:)lifes2sht 4such hate.Tks sub*Jam2let me say I understad yr hrt hugs2 all.Luv u Frost&myWildfire, bk n 1977:)

[starquant]

@Jamwitholdies shit that is so sad. My condolences at your profound loss. I hope she still rides, where ever she is. I play this track at FULL volume, when ever I do from now on, I will think of her.

[geo31]

I hope that someday Wildfire comes for me. That is surely what Heaven must be, laying down the troubles of this world, and leaving "sod busting" behind. The whole song is a metaphor for the life to come.

[geo31]

this is more than a song-- this is a musical masterpiece. Nothing is so haunting or beautiful. The piano solos at the beginning are sheer perfection. Thirty years later and I still cry and get lost in the tragic beauty. Thanks!!!

[OONANA1]

my faverite

[mom1mo]

I saw him do this in concert at Tarlton University in Stephenville, Texas in the late 70's. He played the whole piano intro to this song, drew it out a long time, and then burst into "Rocky Mountain High". Concerts used to be so much more fun than now.

[antdspace9]

Just great and pleasure to listen to.

[bebopPete]

i don't like the extra trill the lead guitar is trying to put on. should let the note just ride out the sustain there. and piano guy isn't exactly liberace either.

[BestReadBlind]

#1 I seriously doubt you could do better

#2 The pianist is so a Frances Zuchowski!

#3 Put caps on Liberace, the man was a musical genius.

THE RED

[javiersurfer]

Greeeeaaat song, i really love it,.!!

It reminds me how countryside looks, and how good it feels,.

Thanks

[stumpy438]

This was my favorite song as a little boy. It sure does bring back some GREAT childhood memories. Thank you very much for posting!

[Schnugg]

The piano really needed to get a clue...

[BestReadBlind]

Clue? Like col. Mustard in the observatory with the wrench? What would the piano do with such information? Perhaps use it to amuse you? Maybe you would be happy with that? Or, as I suspect, has your simple thought pattern already been disrupted by a passing leaf?

IHE RED

[bigblockmustang]

My Race car is named Wildfire.. 1988 Mustang.. 545 cubic inch of heart!

Les

[PAZontheSPOT]

How the hell do you do it Red? Wait a second, nevermind, you already taught me

-POTS

[Bobbyrocks122]

i luv this son but its really sad

[CutterGrl05]

My dad first introduced this song to me, and for the first, i guess, year i never really understood it, then last week I was at the ranch grooming my pony and heard it over the PA system and I told her that I imagined a horse like her becuase she's a coppery colored sorrel.

[BestReadBlind]

Nice story, Thank you for sharing with us. This song has a way of bringing people and animals together.

THE RED

[bigroy38]

Got to meet&see Murph here back in'04,here where it all started.Not a dry eye in the place when this song started.Murph's one of the sweetest people on Earth.This one put Austin on the map.

[doostoos1]

Beautiful Song.

[teddyrailroad]

wildfire STILL GIVES ME CHILLS

[GFenton]

Oh my God, that brought back memories of listening to this song when I was a young whippersnapper. This brought tears to my eyes. I thought of this song this morning when I went outside at 2:30 this morning and heard an owl hooting. Then I wondered if U Tube had it on their files. Kudeo's to you guys.

[BestReadBlind]

Thanks

THE RED

[CatskillMontauk]

Does anyone know the name of the piano intro to this song...I know it was written by a Russian composer named Alexander Scriabin but I cant find the name of it anywhere...Thanks

[davidcastrolubb]

love this song so much. heard it a hundred times growing up as a kid and never ever pain attention to the words till a few months ago. my mom said this was here favorite song as a child. reminds me of her alot.

[zephrah]

A beautiful song, although sad. Song about love. and the loss of love. sniff, sniff...

[biggill4209]

MR.Michael Martin Murphey I wish to GOD we had more people like you,The big heart you have is bigger then words can discribe "WILD" MICHAEL YOUR ON "FIRE".... GA

[RedReview]

Sublime... this is some of the best that you tube has to offer. Bravo

-REDREVIEW

[PepsiCompany]

A true american classic, kinda like us!

-Pepsi

[VKick]

This is a true classic.

[rattlehawk]

Very nice, Red. Just like I remember it.

[BestReadBlind]

THANKS

[luckyboyd77]

I was the Emcee for this show. It was a fabulous event raising money after the West Texas wildfires. It's great to see this video here. Murph, you're a good friend. Love ya, Lucky. Jinelle says 'Hi'

[BestReadBlind]

Hey lucky Check out our main page and click on the "Streets of Laredo" link. Your announcement about the continuing wildfires is included.

Your Pal

THE RED

[7beers]

Still prefer studio version.

[BestReadBlind]

I can appreciate that, but I'm still proud of my work here. Not bad for a crew of four on a five hundred dollar budget shooting on location 400+ miles from home. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Murphy would come off amazing on a handicam; Oh wait, I did use some handicam footage in this...damn I'm good! Did I mention I'm legally blind?

THE RED

[7beers]

Sorry, didn't mean to criticize. This is a very original arrangement, and I offer you kudos for the creativity.

[BestReadBlind]

No problem, I was just given you a hard time. Thank you for even commenting, I really do appreciate it.

[RedReview]

This video is being reviewed @ RedReview

[MIKESTALKER]

This song brings back so many memories. I remember how much I loved it back in the seventies. I didn't even know at that time who put it out. Now I have come to appreciate all of Michael's songs.  Another favorite is Strawberry Roam that he and Chris LeDoux did together.

[WesternHeritage]

This is outstanding. I haven't come across a better use for this technology! Please post more MMM!

[jenniemperez]

This song makes me think of my wife and how I wish we had a ranch and athis would be our story.

[parriaga]

Going on a peaceful, long-distance drive on the highway this is the song I must have in my CD Player. Unbelievable song, great voice!

[urblegend79]

Gotta admit I've always loved this song...sing the first time I heard it about 12 years ago on one of those Time Life music 30-minute shows. And this coming from a 27-year-old Black guy that's big on hip hop, r&b and rap.

[mikey1829]

This guy is just plain awesome and classy....

[pekoe]

the imagery of the song gets me it takes me away bongs out an laid back fun

[DarkCloak]

One of the most sublime and timeless songs ever to grace the Top 40. A very evocative and a nicely executed and faithfully done remake. MM clearly still has some "chops".

[will79601]

this version is awesome,man i'm speechless.thanks so much

[david640]

I absolutely love this song, But my favorite song from MMM is a little known song called RadioLand,. I can't find that song anywhere

[captkurtpitt]

he was on Letterman tonight!!!! Sang this song! Awesome

[Cady1963]

I agree with LiveCT... MMM is the man! I have been a fan of his since way back in the 70's and I was lucky to meet & talk with him about 4 years ago. He is one of the nicest men I will probably ever meet in this lifetime. His voice is so pure when he sings his old songs (like Wildfire & Carolina In The Pines...) makes you think he's singing right to you. :o) GOD BLESS MMM! Keep the songs & music forever in your heart!!!

[RedandPaz]

I couldn't agree with you more!

[LiveCT]

MMM is the Man!