From the album Madonna (1983)
Featured on Celebration (2009)
Written by Madonna
Produced by Reggie Lucas

Now, this is really something. Though it was left off the Immaculate Collection, Burning Up is the perfect summary of Madonna’s artistic intent and musical ability whilst still a rising star. Even without Monte Pittman’s shredding on the 2004 Re-Invention Tour or the Stooges’ swagger at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the song undoubtedly rocks. The use of synth bass/programmed drums in lieu of an actual band may be typically ’80s, but through Madonna’s sheer force of personality, it hasn’t dated one bit. In her songwriting and vocals, Burning Up captures better than any other song her then-attitude - every bit the aural equivalent of her intense, determined stare on her debut album’s cover portrait. Beyond being the only pop song ever to rhyme “position” with “imposition”, Madonna’s lyrical delivery is intimidatingly direct - her self-empowerment just as convincing whether or not she had the world’s attention.

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Beyond the limited budget resulting in some truly Lynchian weirdness - statues’ eyes lighting up? Goldfish? Extreme close-ups? Inconsistent aspect ratios? Unnecessarily slanted images? Disembodied eyes and lips? The Gary Numan/Adam Ant hybrid boyfriend driving a car across a lake? - the music video is quintessentially feminist. That is, once it decides to be; right at the end, Madonna replaces her boyfriend at the wheel of the car, signifying that she’d been in control the whole time. Madonna’s brand of feminism is one that values, and in fact, cannot exist without men - and though she’s willing to please, in the end, she pursues her own desires. Far from submissive, it’s entirely empowering - pornstars would say the same thing. Yet unlike them or countless manufactured popstars since, Madonna had something to say on the issue - she was sexy, but never a sex object, even if Robert Christgau did call the Burning Up single “electroporn” as a compliment.

In practical terms, though, Burning Up is really about us, the public - and Madonna’s demand for our love and attention. The way she sings the bridge:

“Do you wanna see me down on my knees?
Or bending over backwards now, would you be pleased?
Unlike the others, I’d do anything
I’m not the same, I have no shame
I’m on fire”

You’d think the strength of her will alone could make it happen. Burning Up is a premonition of greatness - yet itself quite unlike anything else she’d ever do.