Hot Chocolate, You Sexy Thing | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 146^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “You Sexy Thing” by British soul group, Hot Chocolate. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 146^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “You Sexy Thing”, performed by 🎙 Hot Chocolate. 

“I believe in miracles / Where you from / You sexy thing?” British soul collective 🎙 Hot Chocolate took a risk with 🎵 “You Sexy Thing”.  Sure, sexy is considered mild by today’s standards, but back then, that was pushing the envelope for sure! It should be noted, deceased lead singer 🎙 Errol Brown (1943 – 2015) wrote it about his wife.  Even if it was more scandalous, there was no harm or foul because “You Sexy Thing” was a resounding success. In the U.S., it marked one of three top-10 hits by Hot Chocolate.  Furthermore, it marked the most successful single by the collective, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. “You Sexy Thing” was certified gold by the RIAA in 1976, which was DEFINITELY a big deal back then.  Adding to the success, parent album, 💿 Hot Chocolate, released in 1975, peaked at no. 41 on the Billboard 200 in 1976, coinciding with the success of “You Sexy Thing.”

Sexiness paid off, big-time.  The chorus, which appears at the onset, is infectious – tuneful to the nth degree. The miracles mentioned in the chorus continue into the first verse, where Brown sings, “Miracles right before my eyes / You sexy thing got me hypnotized.” More like, hot and bothered, right Errol 😈?  Of course, he gets ‘spiritual’ too, characterizing this fine, sexy lady as “My angel from above lying next to me,” later adding, “Doing all the things that make my heart ring.” Woo! The second verse is patterned similarly, as Brown continues to praise “you sexy thing,” of course! Besides the fun lyrics, and Errol’s electrifying vocals, the music is incredible – funky, soulful, and equally memorable to the lyrics (🎛 Mickie Most produced). 🎵 “You Sexy Thing” remains a beloved hit approaching 50 years after its release.

🎙 Hot Chocolate • 💿 Hot Chocolate • 🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 1975

Hot Chocolate, You Sexy Thing: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 146 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Parlophone; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]