Lake of Fire (song)

"Lake of Fire" is a song written and originally performed by Curt Kirkwood of the American alternative rock band the Meat Puppets. It was first released on their 1984 album Meat Puppets II.

The song is characterized by its distinctive country-tinged psychedelic rock sound, a hallmark of the Meat Puppets' unique style. Lyrically, "Lake of Fire" explores themes of religious imagery, death, and the afterlife, employing dark humor and surreal storytelling. The lyrics present a metaphorical and somewhat cynical view of heaven and hell, with the "lake of fire" serving as a potent symbol of damnation.

"Lake of Fire" gained wider recognition after Nirvana performed it during their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993, with Curt and Cris Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets joining them onstage. Nirvana's rendition introduced the song to a larger audience and cemented its status as a cult classic. The song has been covered by numerous other artists and continues to be a popular and influential piece of alternative rock history.