Baby I'm Burnin' Explained

Baby I'm Burnin'
Cover:DollyBabyImBurnin.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Dolly Parton
Album:Heartbreaker
A-Side:"I Really Got the Feeling"
Recorded:1978
Genre:
  • Disco
  • pop
  • country
Length:
(Disco Mix)
(Album Version)
Label:RCA
Producer:
Prev Title:Heartbreaker
Prev Year:1978
Next Title:I Really Got the Feeling
Next Year:1978

"Baby I'm Burnin'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was written by Parton who also produced the track with Gary Klein and Charles Koppelman who served as executive producer. The song was first released on Parton's twentieth solo studio album Heartbreaker in July 1978. It was released as a double A-side single with "I Really Got the Feeling" on November 6, 1978 by RCA Victor. "Baby I'm Burnin'" was aimed at pop radio, while "I Really Got the Feeling" was aimed at country radio. In addition to the standard 7-inch single, an extended 12-inch single titled Dance with Dolly was released, which included an extended dance remix of "Baby I'm Burnin'" backed with an extended dance remix of "I Wanna Fall in Love". Parton frequently performs "Baby I'm Burnin'" in concert, often using it as her opening number. She also used the song as the theme to her 1987–1988 television series Dolly.

Critical reception

Billboard reviewed the single and called it "a high-energy change of pace for Parton." The review went on to say Parton's vocals "punch against the cooking groove of a track" which is "highlighted by horns and syn drums."[1] Billboard reviewed the single again the following week, this time calling the song "a fiery rocker" and said that it had "a disco edge at times." They added that "Parton's crispy, high pitched vocals add to the rockish feel."[2] Cashbox gave a positive review of the single, saying that the double-sided release "should cover all the bases." They compared "Baby I'm Burnin'" to Elvis Presley's "Way Down" and conclude by saying that both sides "should receive much airplay."[3]

Commercial performance

"Baby I'm Burnin'" peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and number 11 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The disco remix peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1978–1979)Peak
position
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)9
Canada Country Singles (RPM)1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)30

Year-end charts

Other versions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Top Single Picks . American Radio History . Billboard . November 13, 2019 . 78 . November 18, 1978.
  2. Web site: Top Single Picks . American Radio History . Billboard . November 13, 2019 . 104 . November 25, 1978.
  3. Web site: 45 / Reviews / LP . American Radio History . Cashbox . November 13, 2019 . 38 . November 18, 1978.
  4. Billboard Hot Country Songs - Year-End Charts (1979) . Billboard . 4 December 2020.