Pop-Up Video: Burning Love (1972)

Burning Love

Artist: Elvis Presley
B-side:  It's a Matter of Time
Released: August 1, 1972
Recorded: March 28, 1972
Songwriter: Dennis Linde

"Burning Love," a 1972 Elvis Presley song written by Dennis Linde and originally recorded by country soul artist Arthur Alexander, became Elvis' biggest hit single in the United States since "Suspicious Minds" in 1969. It was his last Top 10 hit in the American Hot 100 or pop charts.

Most of the successful songs Linde wrote were for Country stars: Roger Miller ("Tom Green County Fair" - 1970), Garth Brooks ("Callin' Baton Rouge" - 1993), and The Dixie Chicks ("Goodbye Earl" - 1999.)  In Britain, Welsh Rock and Roll revivalist Shakin' Stevens recorded a number 10 hit of Linde's "A Letter to You" in 1984.

Arthur Alexander

Arthur Alexander

Arthur Alexander originally recorded  "Burning Love." Jason Ankeny, a music critic for AllMusic, called Alexander a "country-soul pioneer" and said, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his contemporaries." 

Alexander's tunes were covered by stars such as Otis Redding, Tina Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Additionally, he's the only writer in history to have his songs sung by The Beatles ("Anna (Go to Him)"), the Rolling Stones ("You'd Better Move On"). and Bob Dylan ("Sally Sue Brown").

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's version was released as a single on August 1, 1972; it reached the Top 40 on the country charts, peaking at number 36. For the week of October 28, 1972, "Burning Love" rose to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Chuck Berry's only number 1 hit, the novelty song "My Ding-a-Ling, " kept it from the top spot.

However, it reached number 1 on Cashbox's Top 40 Charts for the week of November 11, which gave him 20 US number 1 hits. The song was Elvis's 40th and last Top Ten hit on the Billboard US charts. He performed it in at least two high-profile productions: the concert film Elvis on Tour and the later Aloha from Hawaii concert.

Elvis in Hawaii

The song was also released on an album titled Burning Love and Hits from his Movies: Volume 2 on November 1, 1972. Despite this album's subtitle, the movie songs were never hit. The only real hit on the album was the title song, "Burning Love."