Songfacts®:

• This was the follow-up single to "Holiday," which was Madonna's first major hit. In spite of suggestive lyrics and a steamy video (including the songstress writhing on a road), it was only a minor success. Still, it had enough momentum to keep Madonna in the limelight after "Holiday," which she used to her advantage. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
• Madonna performed this on her 1985 debut tour, but it didn't make the setlist again until her 2004 Re-Invention Tour, where she played the electric guitar on the song. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Marek - Odense, Denmark
• The music video for this song was directed by Steve Barron, whose credits include the Human League video for "Don't You Want Me" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." The "Burning Up" video isn't on Barron's highlight reel - the clip is best remembered for Madonna writhing around on a road. He didn't like the song and only took the gig because Madonna was signed to Warner Bros. Records, which was a big client. Barron says that when he met Madonna, she did a flirty thing where she put her head down on a table to talk to him, which he had her do on the road in the video.
• Madonna has the sole writing credit on this song; writing her own songs was an early sign of her (blonde) ambition. The track was produced by Reggie Lucas and her then-boyfriend John "Jellybean" Benitez.
• The track was made using a LinnDrum, an early programable machine with real drum samples; Reggie Lucas and Leslie Ming did the programing. Paul Pesco played the guitar part.
• This song was used in the 1984 comedy-drama The Wild Life, starring Eric Stoltz.