Released June 19, 1983 Recorded December 31, 1982 Length 7:08 | Format 12" Genre Calypso, soca Label Chrysalis | |
"Hot Hot Hot" is a song written and first recorded by Montserratian musician Arrow, featured on his 1982 studio album, Hot Hot Hot. The song became an instant dance floor hit and was later covered by artists around the world, most notably in 1987 by American singer David Johansen under the name Buster Poindexter. The song was produced by Leston Paul from Trinidad and Tobago.
Contents
- Buster Poindexter version
- Other cover versions
- Arrow version
- Movies and television
- Sports
- Miscellaneous
- References
The song was Arrow's first chart hit, peaking at No. 59 on the UK Singles Chart. A remix of the song, dubbed as the "World Carnival Mix '94" was later released in 1994 and peaked higher than the original, at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart.
Buster Poindexter version
The song was later covered in 1987 by David Johansen, the former lead singer of the New York Dolls, in his Buster Poindexter persona and released as the first single from his album Buster Poindexter. It garnered extensive airplay through radio, MTV, and other television appearances. The music video is unique in the fact that it crosses the two identities: Despite being in the Buster Poindexter persona, the video begins with Johansen briefly mentioning his role in the New York Dolls, showing the band's vinyl and tossing them aside while talking about the "really outrageous clothes" he wore and how he came to be interested in a "refined and dignified kind of a situation", which leads into the song.
In an interview on National Public Radio, Johansen called the tune "the bane of my existence," owing to its pervasive popularity as a karaoke and wedding song. The Johansen version of the song has long served as the opening theme for Jimmy Buffett's concert appearances.
Bill Murray appears in the music video; Johansen would later costar with Murray in the 1988 movie Scrooged.
In the extended mix, Buster Poindexter says the word "hot" 137 times.
Other cover versions
The song was covered in 1985 by Indian duo Babla & Kanchan, titled "Kuchh Gadbad Hai" in Hindi. It was also later covered by popular Latin teen group Menudo. In 1986 it was covered by the Central American Grupo Rana as "Caliente Caliente" (credited to Alfonso Cassell, Arrow's official name) in their record De La Cabeza A Los Pies Rana Otra Vez!!
In 1998, the song was covered by The Countdown Singers, a name given to Madacy Entertainment's group of studio artists. This cover version, however, is very rare.
In 2010, the track was sampled by British electro DJ Hervé in his track "Hot! Drum Attack".
In 2013, reggaeton artist Don Omar released a cover titled "Feeling Hot" for his upcoming live album Hecho en Puerto Rico. His version peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States. Omar's cover led to Arrow posthumously winning the ASCAP Latin Award on the Urban category.
Also in 2013, the track was re-interpreted/covered by Dutch eurodance group Vengaboys in their track of the same name. This cover adds a Dutch house-sounding drop, a reggaeton-style rap and extra lyrics.
Arrow version
Notes:
Movies and television
Sports
In 1986, the song was the theme song of the FIFA World Cup. The song is an unofficial football chant adopted by the Montserrat national football team.
During games in which they score at least four goals, the Philadelphia Flyers play this song at the Wells Fargo Center after the fourth goal. Fans in attendance receive a free hot breakfast sandwich from McDonald's the next day.
The Toronto Maple Leafs used this song as a goal song from 1996-1999 whenever the Leafs scored a goal at their home rink.
Miscellaneous
In 1989, the song was the opening theme song of Miss Universe 1989 held in Cancun, Mexico.