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[–] COFfeebreak 2 points (+2|-0)

Written by Nilsson, the song is in the hard rock style and marked a departure from his previous work, as Nilsson was keen for commercial success after years of recognition as a quality artist and songwriter. He later commented: "What do you say to a man who writes 'The Puppy Song' and then writes 'Jump into the Fire'? I really needed [to make that change], too; that was exactly what I was hoping would happen." The recording was produced by Richard Perry and includes a segment where the bass player, Herbie Flowers, audibly detunes his instrument.

The musicians on the basic track were Nilsson (on piano), Chris Spedding (guitar), Herbie Flowers (bass) and Jim Gordon (drums). Flowers recalls that Nilsson gave only vague instructions for the song: "lots of tom-toms, a bass riff in D major." The bass guitar part includes a section where, following Gordon's drum solo, Flowers detunes the instrument as he plays. According to Flowers, he began loosening the bottom string "for a laugh", believing the performance would have faded out already on the released recording. Overdubs on this master take included Nilsson's vocals, guitar solos by John Uribe and another rhythm guitar part, played by Klaus Voormann.