Bob Seger looked across the Atlantic Ocean to find inspiration for the song that became “The Fire Down Below.”

The traditionally blue-collar songwriter found the feeling he was looking for with the help of Scottish singer Frankie Miller and the blues-powered version of England’s Fleetwood Mac as he composed the 1976 song, as he told Uncle Joe Benson on the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show.

“I was a big fan of Frankie Miller,” Seger explained. “We’re very similar in the way we approach rock ’n’ roll… I heard a song called ‘Ain’t Got No Money’ and I liked that swampy middle-rock thing.” He continued: “Vocally, I was probably inspired by Frankie; but band-wise I think it was inspired by ‘Rattlensnake Shake’ by Fleetwood Mac – Peter Green and those [guys]. I always loved that song.”

“The Fire Down Below” appeared on Seger’s breakthrough album Night Moves, which has gone on to be certified six-times platinum. The track tackles the subject of prostitution – one of a handful of times where Seger deals directly with sex in his lyrics – with the narrator noting how customers from all walks of life are looking for the same sense of satisfaction.

Bob Seger - ‘The Fire Down Below’

Frankie Miller - 'Ain't Got No Money'

Fleetwood Mac - 'Rattlesnake Shake'

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