Written by frontman Jimi Hendrix and produced by band manager Chas Chandler, it features R&B group Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals.

The song was released in August 1967 as the group's fourth single in the United Kingdom and later included on the 1968 British edition of their compilation, Smash Hits.

[2] Progress was slow however, and this lack of success was said to leave Hendrix "frustrated and depressed" going into a string of European tour dates lasting for the next few months.

The time for reflection on the plane leads Jimi to consider the downside of being the electric gypsy: the circus comes to town and moves on leaving no trace that it had ever been there – no roots, no home, no love.

"[7] In preparation for the release of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the song on a number of television and radio shows in mid-1967.

[15] In the AllMusic review of the album, writer Cub Koda also identified "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" as one of the highlights of the record, along with "Crosstown Traffic", "All Along the Watchtower", "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)".