Burning Up (Madonna song)

"Burning Up"
Single by Madonna
from the album Madonna
A-side	"Physical Attraction"
Released	March 9, 1983 (1983-03-09)
Recorded	November 1982
Studio	Sigma Sound, New York City
Genre	Dance-punk new wave post-disco[1]
Length	3:45
Label	Sire Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Madonna
Producer(s)	Reggie Lucas
Madonna singles chronology
"Everybody" (1982) "Burning Up" / "Physical Attraction" (1983) "Holiday" (1983)
Music video
"Burning Up" on YouTube

"Burning Up" is a song written and recorded by American singer Madonna included on her debut studio album Madonna (1983). Written by the singer and produced by Reggie Lucas, the song was released as a double-sided single with "Physical Attraction" on March 9, 1983. In early 1980, Madonna was beginning her music career as a member of band the Breakfast Club; together with band drummer Stephen Bray, they formed a new band, Emmy and the Emmys, but shortly after, she decided to pursue a solo career. She and Bray created demos for three songs: "Everybody", "Ain't No Big Deal", and "Burning Up".

In 1982, Madonna met and befriended DJ Mark Kamins at Danceteria nightclub, who took her to Sire Records, where she signed a deal for two singles. Following the success of first single "Everybody" on the dance scene, Sire Records green-lighted the recording of an album. Madonna chose to work with Lucas, who created two new songs for the album: "Physical Attraction" and "Borderline". However, problems soon arose between Madonna and the producer, who ended up leaving the project. She then called in John "Jellybean" Benitez, her boyfriend at the time, to remix some of the album tracks. A dance pop song with new wave influences, the lyrics to "Burning Up" juxtapose sex and ambition, with the singer proclaiming she "has no shame" and would do anything for her lover.

Upon release, both "Burning Up" was generally well received by critics and has been named one of Madonna's best singles in retrospective reviews. Chart performance was moderate: it charted at number 13 in Australia and at number three on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the United States. The accompanying music video for "Burning Up" was directed by Steve Barron, and depicts the singer in a white dress, writhing on an empty road waiting for her lover. Many authors noted that the visual was the beginning of Madonna's subversion of power through sex. After a number of live appearances in nightclubs and television programs, the singer included the song on four of her concert tours, the Virgin Tour, Re-Invention Tour, Rebel Heart Tour, and the Celebration Tour. "Burning Up" has been covered by artists such as Iggy Pop and Britney Spears.