About The Song
Elvis achieved his most significant hit in the United States since “Suspicious Minds” in 1969 with this song, marking it as his final entry into the American Hot 100 or pop charts. The track revolves around the dissolution of a romantic relationship and was originally featured on Arthur Alexander’s self-titled album from 1972. While it possessed undeniable potential for success, Elvis, who had recently separated from his wife, Priscilla, had little enthusiasm for recording a Rock ‘n’ Roll song at the time. It took Elvis’ producer, Felton Jarvis, considerable effort to convince him to give the song a chance. After six attempts, the “King of Rock and Roll” delivered an inspired performance.
Arthur Alexander holds a unique distinction in songwriting history, having his compositions sung by iconic acts like The Beatles (“Anna (Go to Him)”), the Rolling Stones (“You’d Better Move On”), and Bob Dylan (“Sally Sue Brown”). The song’s writer, Dennis Linde, who also played the guitar intro, was known for his reclusive nature and was once referred to as “Nashville’s best-kept songwriting secret.” Apart from “Burning Love,” Linde’s most successful compositions were recorded by Country stars, including Roger Miller (“Tom Green County Fair” – 1970), Garth Brooks (“Callin’ Baton Rouge” – 1993), and The Dixie Chicks (“Goodbye Earl” – 1999). In the UK, Shakin’ Stevens, a Welsh Rock ‘n’ Roll revivalist, scored a #10 hit with his rendition of Linde’s “A Letter to You” in 1984.
In a bizarre incident in 2005, an Australian woman, who evidently had no love for this song, resorted to violence, stabbing her partner in the back, thigh, and shoulder with a pair of scissors because “he played the song too many times.”
As part of a series of re-releases of Elvis’ songs in the UK in 2007, this track re-entered the UK chart, peaking at #13.
Video
Lyrics
Lord Almighty
I feel my temperature rising
Higher higher
It’s burning through to my soulGirl, girl, girl
You gonna set me on fire
My brain is flaming
I don’t know which way to goYour kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning loveOoh, ooh, ooh
I feel my temperature rising
Help me, I’m flaming
I must be a hundred and nine
Burning, burning, burning
And nothing can cool me
I just might turn to smoke
But I feel fineCause your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
And you light my morning sky
With burning loveIt’s coming closer
The flames are now lickin’ my body
Please won’t you help me
I feel like I’m slipping away
It’s hard to breath
And my chest is a-heavingLord Almighty
I’m burning a hole where I layCause your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning loveWith burning love
Ah, ah, burning love
I’m just a hunk
A hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love