Released 12 February 1971 Genre Glam rock Label Fly | Format 7" vinyl Length 4:53 | |
B-side "Woodland Rock"
"King of the Mountain Cometh" | ||
"Hot Love" is a song by English glam rock act T. Rex, released as a standalone single on 12 February 1971 by record label Fly. It was the group's first number one placing on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained at the top for six weeks beginning on 20th March 1971.
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The two performances of the song in March 1971 on Top of the Pops, which saw Bolan dressed for the first time in shiny satin stagewear and glittery make-up (the latter at the suggestion of his stylist Chelita Secunda) were a crucial trigger for the glam rock movement.
Background and recording
"Hot Love" was recorded at Trident Studios on 21 and 22 January 1971. The single's B-sides, "Woodland Rock" and "The King of the Mountain Cometh", were recorded onto the same 16 track tape.
The song marks the first time a full drum kit appeared on a T. Rex song, after Bill Fifield joined the group at Tony Visconti's suggestion. The single was issued and, due to its success, Fifield was invited to audition to join the band.
"Hot Love" was the first song to feature Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman (ex-Turtles) on backing vocals.
Personnel
Release
"Hot Love" was released as a single on 12 February 1971 by record label Fly. It was the group's first number one placing on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained at the top for six weeks beginning in March 1971. The single, however, did not fare as well in the US, where it only peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #54 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song reached number 47 in Canada in June 1971 and number 12 in South Africa.