About the song
Greetings, everyone. Today, let’s talk about a song that, for many of us, represents a thrilling and revitalizing moment in the career of a true legend. It’s a track that reminded the world of the raw, unbridled energy that first made him a superstar, proving that even a decade and a half after his debut, The King still had the fire. I’m speaking, of course, about Elvis Presley – Burning Love.
Released in 1972, at a time when Elvis was still enjoying the success of his Las Vegas residency and had found a comfortable rhythm with polished ballads, “Burning Love” was a thunderbolt. It was a return to his rock-and-roll roots, an unapologetic, high-octane performance that felt like a jolt of pure electricity. The song, written by Dennis Linde, was originally recorded by Arthur Alexander, but Elvis’s rendition took the simple, direct lyrics and set them ablaze with an energy that only he could bring.
The genius of this song is its glorious simplicity. The lyrics are a straightforward, almost primal, declaration of overwhelming, all-consuming passion. There are no subtle metaphors or complicated narratives; it’s just a breathless, joyous admission of being completely consumed by infatuation. Phrases like “a hunka hunka burnin’ love” and “hot as a stove” are not poetic; they are raw, visceral, and utterly perfect for the feeling they describe. This directness is what makes the song so infectious and so universally relatable.
Elvis’s vocal performance is what elevates this song from a simple rock number to a true classic. His voice is powerful, dynamic, and full of a kind of playful excitement. You can hear him having fun with the track, his ad-libs and enthusiastic delivery making it feel less like a rehearsed studio recording and more like a spontaneous, joyful outburst. This was the Elvis who could still shake a stadium with a single word, the rock-and-roll powerhouse who could still deliver a performance with a raw magnetism that was second to none. His voice is a testament to the fact that he hadn’t lost an ounce of his ability to command a room and ignite a crowd.
The musical arrangement is a key component of the song’s success. With its driving rhythm, a prominent and perfectly executed guitar riff by James Burton, and a backing chorus that brings a touch of Gospel fire, the music provides the perfect sonic backdrop for the song’s fiery passion. It’s a polished but undeniably hard-rocking track that sounds as fresh and exhilarating today as it did more than 50 years ago. Elvis Presley – Burning Love was more than just a hit; it was a powerful statement that The King still reigned supreme, a timeless testament to his raw talent and enduring legacy as one of the greatest performers to ever live.
Video
Lyrics
Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature risin’, mmm
Higher, higher, it’s burning through to my soul
Girl, girl, girl, girl, you’re gonna set me on fire
My brain is flamin’, I don’t know which way to go, yeah
Your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
You light my mornin’ sky with burning love, mmm
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, I feel my temperature risin’, mm
Help me, I’m flamin’, I must be a 109, mmm
Burnin’, burnin’, burnin’ and nothing can cool me, yeah
I just might turn into smoke, but I feel fine
‘Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
And you light my mornin’ sky with burning love
It’s comin’ closer, the flames are now lickin’ my body, mm
Won’t you help me? I feel like I’m slippin’ away
It’s hard to breathe, and my chest is a-heavin’, mmm, hmm
Lord, have mercy, I’m burning a hole where I lay, yeah
Your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky with burning love
With burning love (a hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah)
I’m just a hunk, a hunk of burning love (ah)
I’m just a hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah (ah)
A hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah (ah)
A hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah (ah)
A hunk, a hunk of burning love (ah)
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah (ah)
A hunk, a hunk of burning love, ah, ah (ah)
I’m just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
