"Burning in the Heat of Love" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1977 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Chas Chandler. The song failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.
Background
"Burning in the Heat of Love" was released at a time when Slade, having returned to the UK from the United States in 1976, found themselves out of favour in the UK music scene, particularly with the explosion of punk rock. Like the band's seventh studio album Whatever Happened to Slade, which was released a month earlier, the single was a commercial disappointment and was Slade's second since 1976 not to enter the UK Singles Chart.
The song was recorded on 17 March 1977 and was mixed the following day. The B-side, "Ready Steady Kids", was recorded and mixed at Advision Studios in London on 26 and 27 January 1977.
Critical reception
Upon its release, Barry Cain of Record Mirror wrote, "Slade are okay. But they're gone. [Three stars] for the 'You Really Got Me' guitar riff." Chas de Whalley of Sounds remarked, "The dirtiest ballsiest single of the lot. Slightly old fashioned, but disease ridden all the same. I like it." The Coventry Evening Telegraph stated, "Slade are back in business with a vengeance. This single marks a slight change in direction for Noddy's boys. It's powerful rock and generates bags of atmosphere. A hit!"
Formats
7-inch single (UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy) "Burning in the Heat of Love" – 3:50 "Ready Steady Kids" – 3:57
Personnel
Slade
Noddy Holder – lead vocals, guitar
Dave Hill – lead guitar, backing vocals
Jim Lea – bass, backing vocals
Don Powell – drums
Production
Chas Chandler – production
Cover versions
In circa 1980, Lea recorded a version of "Burning in the Heat of Love" as part of his side project, The Dummies, with his brother Frank. It first surfaced on the 1985 various artists compilation Metal Killers Kollection, released in the UK and Germany by Castle Communications, where it was credited to Jim Lea rather than the Dummies. It was later included on the Dummies' album A Day in the Life of the Dummies (1992). In 1983, British rock band Girlschool recorded the song for their fourth studio album Play Dirty which was produced by Holder and Lea. It was released as the album's second and final single on 30 January 1984 but failed to reach the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart.