About The Song
“Burnin’ Sky” was written by Paul Rodgers, performed by Bad Company, and released in February 1977 as the title track and lead single from their fourth album Burnin’ Sky on Island Records in the UK and Swan Song Records in the US. It peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 10 weeks on the chart, reflecting a shift in the band’s commercial peak.
The song was recorded at Château d’Hérouville in France and mixed at Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey, England, produced by Bad Company and Tom Dowd. The track features Paul Rodgers on lead vocals and guitar, Mick Ralphs on lead guitar, Boz Burrell on bass, and Simon Kirke on drums, with a bluesy hard rock vibe. It runs 5:17 on the album version.
The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and restlessness, with lines like “The sky is burnin’, I believe my soul’s on fire.” Rodgers drew inspiration from the band’s experiences touring and recording abroad, crafting a moody anthem that reflected personal and environmental turmoil, possibly hinting at the pressures of fame.
The recording showcased a darker, more experimental sound compared to their earlier hits, with extended instrumental sections and a prominent use of acoustic elements alongside electric guitars. This evolution marked a departure from their debut album’s straightforward rock style.
Upon release, “Burnin’ Sky” achieved moderate success, contributing to the album’s platinum certification, though it didn’t match the chart heights of earlier singles. It has appeared on compilations like 10 from 6 (1985) and The Original Bad Co. Anthology (1999), maintaining a cult following among fans.
Bad Company, formed in 1973, promoted the single with tours across the US and Europe. The music video, though not widely released in 1977, includes live footage from that era, later compiled in retrospectives like the 2002 DVD In Concert: Merchants of Cool.
The track has been covered by artists like Tesla and featured in films like Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989). Its atmospheric quality and Rodgers’ vocal delivery have kept it relevant, often praised in classic rock circles.
Video
Lyric
The sky is burnin’, I believe my soul’s on fire
You are, I’m learning, the key to my desire
Waiting for the van to arrive
The prisoners are counting the days
Letters on the move tonight
Are burning with a fever like a flameOh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ skyThe night is falling, I feel a cold wind where I stand
The time is calling, and I’m sliding through the door
The wheels are turning ’round in my mind
I’m racing with the rising of the moon
Letters on the move tonight
Are burning with a fever like a flameOh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ sky(Instrumental break)
The sky is burnin’, I believe my soul’s on fire
You are, I’m learning, the key to my desire
Waiting for the van to arrive
The prisoners are counting the days
Letters on the move tonight
Are burning with a fever like a flameOh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ sky
Oh, burnin’ sky