Throwback To Billy Joe Royal’s First Country Song, “Burned Like A Rocket”

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When Billy Joe Royal reestablished himself in the mid-1980s as a mainstream country star, he released “Burned Like a Rocket,” which was the first single off his fifth studio album Looking Ahead. The song became his first hit on the country music charts – reaching No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. A steady stream of country hits have followed since then.

“Burned Like a Rocket” was written by Gary Burr, and it tells the story of a couple who used to have a burning desire for each other. The two are now struggling to keep their love alive and are about to go their separate ways.

A Mix of Pop and Country

In 1965, Billy Joe Royal released the pop song “Down in the Boondocks” as his debut single – which turned out to be a breakout success, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard Hot 100. Royal had a number of successful follow-up singles throughout the years. He later revitalized his career in the mid-1980s, wherein he started releasing country songs.

So, it’s no surprise that he blended his experience with pop into his first country song, “Burned Like a Rocket.” The song features a “doo-wop” feel to it – still, you’ll feel the country genre down to its core.

In 1986, Royal’s record label reportedly pulled “Burned Like a Rocket” from the radio due to the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, wherein a space shuttle exploded after its launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Anyway, make sure to listen to Billy Joe Royal’s “Burned Like a Rocket” in the video below.

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