“Burning” sees Sam Smith reconcile themself to the break up of an important relationship, and the pain and unhappiness that it caused them. They have also said that the song is about fame, the pressures of a lifestyle for which they were utterly unprepared, and found difficult to cope with. They believed that this undermined their attempts to form a fulfilling relationship.

Sam uses fire as a symbol for the emotional pain and hurt. In their October 5, 2017 Beats 1 interview with Zane Lowe, Sam described the song as the “core” of The Thrill of It All. They also revealed that there are “only four songs” on the album about themself and their romantic life —“Burning” seems to be one of them.

The song, first aired on 26 October 2017 on BBC Radio 1 Annie Mac Show, is a spare, deceptively simple arrangement that showcases Sam’s voice. The backing piano, played by Reuben James, and the gospel-style chorus in the final verse provide appropriately subtle, subdued accompaniment.