“I Burn For You” was a romantic pop song included on the soundtrack of the hit 1987 movie The Secret Of My Success starring Michael J. Fox. The movie was scored by David Foster who also produced its original soundtrack that included several of his pop/rock co-writes plus a few trademark instrumentals. The Hitman was red-hot from the platinum success of the music for the 1985 “brat pack” movie, St. Elmo’s Fire.

He applied the same winning formula to The Secret Of My Success and delivered goodies including the title-track performed by rock group Night Ranger, the beautiful ballad “Don’t Ask The Reason Why” sung by country/pop darlings Restless Heart and the delicate and haunting instrumental “Water Fountain.”

The previously mentioned “I Burn For You” was included as an instrumental in the movie while the soundtrack featured vocals by Danny Peck and Nancy Shanks. Peck was an old friend of Foster’s who produced the singer’s debut album back in 1977. Shanks was the original lead singer of the all-girls rock group Vixen. Under Foster’s masterful guidance, the two talented singers brought to life the gorgeous duet and a song was brilliantly crafted. The high-tech arrangement featured prominent keyboards, synths and saxophone to underscore the nocturnal atmosphere. “I Burn For You” was co-written by Foster with noted tunesmiths Khris McDaniels and Holly Knight. Knight’s repertoire included herself as an appreciated singer plus she co-wrote big hits for Tina Turner (“The Best”), Heart (“Never”), Aerosmith (“Rag Doll”) and Pat Benatar (“Love Is A Battlefield”). McDaniels, the son of famous music-maker Gene McDaniels, co-wrote tunes for the UK act Eighth Wonder and Apollonia Kotero. The two also composed Benatar’s “Sometimes The Good Guys Finish First” that was selected by Foster for The Secret Of My Success. A couple of years later, McDaniels, under the stage name of Christopher Max, recorded a version of “I Burn For You” that can be found in our archives.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Danny Peck & Nancy Shanks
Keyboards: David Foster
Saxophone: Dave Boruff
Guitars: Michael Landau
Drum Overdubs: Tris Imboden
Synthesizer Programming: Dave Boruff & Mike Boddicker

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

I cannot help myself, how come you’re so beautiful?
I don’t know what’s goin ‘on
But there’s a danger of emotional reaction
Gaze into my eyes, I wanna take you far away, mmm mmm
Slow down, slow down, or I might put you away, I want you so bad

Do I need to tell you that I burn for you?
Did I need to show you what you already knew?
I will be the candle and you will be the flame in my heart
I burn for you, baby
Said I burn for you, baby

And if I dare (and if I dare) to go away (to go away)
Would you still recall my faith? Would you look at me?
Ooh I live alone (so alone) I shed a tear (do not cry baby)
Would you still be there for me? (I know you will) ooh baby

Do I need to tell you That I burn for you?
Did I need to show you what You Already Knew
I will be the candle and you will be the flame in my heart
Yes I burn for you, baby … yes I burn for you, baby …

(So bad) so bad (so bad) so bad, I can not help myself
(I can not help myself) I want you so bad, baby

And if I dare (if I dare to go away)
To go away (would you still recall my faith?)
Would you still recall my faith? Would you look at me?
I’m so afraid (I’m so afraid to fall for you)
To fall for you (’cause if I call, you’ll know)
I never really need to say

Do I need to tell you that I burn for you?
Did I need to show you what you already knew?
I will be the candle and you will be the flames
(You will be the flames)
I will be the candle and you will be the flame, baby
(You will be the flame)
I will be the candle, you will be the flame in my heart

I burn for you, baby … I burn for you, baby …
I said burn for you, baby … I burn for you, baby …
Yes, I burn for you, I burn for you
(Burning for you, give-darling, burning)
(Burning) burning for you baby
I can not help myself, I can not help myself today
Oh babe (I can not help myself) I can not help myself
I want you so bad (so bad)
I want you so bad (I want you so bad, so bad, so bad, so bad)
Ooh (so bad)