In 1975, Rabbitt signed on with Elektra Records, who had recently created a country music division. His early pieces were strongly C&W, such as "Two Dollars in the Jukebox." Later, his music began to be influenced by R&B and pop. He scored some of his biggest hits with tunes such as "Drinkin' My Baby Off My Mind" (1976), "You Don't Love Me Anymore" (1978), "I Love a Rainy Night" (1980), "Drivin' My Life Away" (1980), "Step by Step" (1981), and a duet with Crystal Gayle, "You and I" (1982) which broke over into the adult contemporary charts. He was also well-known for writing and recording the theme song for the 1978 Clint Eastwood movie "Every Which Way But Loose."
During the late 1980s, Rabbitt was one of many pop-influenced country stars who lost ground on the charts to more traditional-sounding artists. He recorded very little during the 1990s, in part because of the illness and subsequent death of his young son. After his son died, Rabbitt became active in raising money for organizations that aid sick children. Rabbitt himself died of lung cancer at the age of 56.
During his career, Rabbitt scored 26 #1 hits on the country charts, and had 8 Top 40 pop hits. He was named the Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 1977, and he won an American Music Award for Best Pop Male Vocalist in 1981.
Eddie Rabbitt is interred in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
B-B-B-Burnin' Up With Love
Eddie Rabbitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you walked in the room
I could feel those heat waves rollin' off of you
And your pretty body laying close to me
Melting in the heat
Hey is it hot in here or is it just me?
Cause I'm burning, burning up with love
Yeah I'm burning, burning up with love
Since the first time I saw your face
And ever since the night we kissed
You set my world on fire
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love
Somebody hand me a thermometer,
Hand it to me quick
I think I just better take my temperature
I'm sick, love sick
There's a red-hot fever inside of me
I musta caught it from your lips
It gets hotter and hotter and hotter, when we kiss
Baby I'm burning, burning up with love
Like a log in a fireplace
Yeah I'm burning, burning up with love
Ever since the night we kissed
You set my world on fire
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love
In "B-B-B-Burnin' Up With Love," Eddie Rabbitt sings about the intense passion he has for someone, describing it as a burning sensation inside him. He uses metaphors such as a "hot flash" and a "red-hot fever" to describe how his body feels when he's around this person. He even jokes about needing a thermometer to take his temperature because he's "sick, love sick."
Rabbitt also emphasizes the physical aspect of their relationship, describing how he can feel the heat emanating from this person's body and how their bodies melt together. He references the act of kissing several times, saying that it sets his world on fire and makes the passion between them even hotter.
Overall, the song is a classic ode to intense, all-consuming love that leaves the singer burning with desire.
Line by Line Meaning
A hot flash just swept over me
I am suddenly feeling a hot sensation all over my body
When you walked in the room
This feeling started when you entered the room
I could feel those heat waves rollin' off of you
I am feeling intense heat coming from your body
And your pretty body laying close to me
You are physically close to me and your appearance is attractive
Melting in the heat
I am starting to feel overwhelmed by the heat and my feelings for you
Hey is it hot in here or is it just me?
I am questioning the temperature in the room and whether it is just my own feelings causing me to feel hot
Cause I'm burning, burning up with love
My feelings for you have intensified and are overwhelming me
Like a log in a fireplace
My burning love for you is like a log on fire, completely consuming me
Yeah I'm burning, burning up with love
I cannot contain my feelings any longer and they are completely taking over
Since the first time I saw your face
I have been in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you
And ever since the night we kissed
My feelings have only grown stronger since we shared our first kiss
You set my world on fire
The passion I feel for you is all-consuming and has completely changed my world
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
I cannot control the intensity of my love for you
Somebody hand me a thermometer,
I need to check my temperature to see if this feeling is real or just in my mind
Hand it to me quick
I need to confirm what I am feeling as soon as possible
I think I just better take my temperature
Checking my temperature is the only way to validate my feelings
I'm sick, love sick
My intense feelings for you are making me feel physically unwell
There's a red-hot fever inside of me
The heat I am feeling is not just on the outside, but it is also causing me to feel feverish
I musta caught it from your lips
I am convinced that my love for you was caused by our kiss
It gets hotter and hotter and hotter, when we kiss
My feelings continue to intensify when we are physically close and intimate
Baby I'm burning, burning up with love
My love for you is so intense that I feel like I am on fire
I been b-b-b burnin' up with love for you
My love for you is so strong that it is causing me to feel overwhelmed and consumed
Contributed by Jayden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danielburns987
this song went to #3 on the country charts in 1984!!!
@Muzikgirl67
JUST AS GOOD AS GOLD!!...Thank you soooo very much for posting and sharing this "rarely heard anymore" lil' country ditty that reached #3 on the charts for Eddie back in August 1984...I thoroughly enjoyed it!...(and the sound quality is first-rate too!)...Take care!! :)
@CCRoxtar
I used to hear this song on the radio 20+ years ago. Thanks for bringing back the memories!
@georgestacey9558
When he past it was ten years after my father (87). Eddie's was a passing that effected me more then most others.
Between Tenesse and Ohio, between country and city, so many trips, on the road, an old station wagon and Eddie Rabbitt.
@jeffdavis-musicandmemories1967
Such a classic.....
@goldsilverdiamonds.1795
Great Song By Eddie Rabbit.
@michaeltnewyorknights8413
Funny that didn't cross over like his releases before this. It's certainly catchy and has a bit of 50's rockabilly flavor.
@DaveWollenberg
RIP, Eddie.
@georgemanley6421
There's nothing like a eddie rabbitt song
@johnhurley5277
Awesome Song of Yester Year (Over Three Decades
ago)🎶🎵🎸.