"Hot Like Fire"
Single by Aaliyah featuring Timbaland
from the album One in a Million
A-side"The One I Gave My Heart To"
B-side"Death of a Playa"
ReleasedSeptember 16, 1997
Recorded
StudioPyramid (Ithaca)
Genre
Length
  • 4:24 (album version)
  • 4:35 (Timbaland's Groove Mix)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Timbaland
Aaliyah singles chronology
"The One I Gave My Heart To"
(1997)		 "Hot Like Fire"
(1997)		 "Journey to the Past"
(1997)
Timbaland singles chronology
"What About Us?"
(1997)		 "Hot Like Fire"
(1997)		 "Are You That Somebody?"
(1998)

"Hot Like Fire" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her second studio album One in a Million (1996). The song was written by both Missy Elliot and Timbaland, with the latter producing the song. In 1997 it was re-recorded and released as the fifth and final single from One in a Million with "The One I Gave My Heart To" on September 16, 1997 by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.

Musically, the album version is a Trip hop song, while the single remix version is a "jeep-friendly" funk song with a bouncing beat and features ad-libs from Timbaland. Lyrically, the song is sexually suggestive, with the narrator (Aaliyah) promising a potential lover that she is worth the wait.

Upon its release, the song was met with generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising both Aaliyah's vocal delivery and the song's production. In the United States, "Hot Like Fire" barely charted on any of the major Billboard charts, being largely overshadowed by its A-side "The One I Gave My Heart To"; it peaked at number 31 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Internationally, the song peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart.

An accompanying video for "Hot Like Fire" was directed by Lance "Un" Rivera. The video depicts Aaliyah in a red themed party setting. It features cameo appearances from Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Lil' Kim, and other celebrities. It received critical acclaim, with many critics noting that the video helped bring the song to life.

Music and lyrics

"Hot like Fire" was described as "sleek" "fine Trip hop"[1][2] and it is a "panting minimalist controlled-blaze baby-maker" with suggestive lyrics.[3][4] The production on the song's 1997 single release differs from the album version and it has a "more jeep-friendly beat".[1] According to Emily Manning from i-D, the songs remix "features a sizzling, soulful, and bouncing beat (plus an ad-lib Tim ripped from Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner")".[5] Billboard further discussed the remix saying, "Timb’s club-ready remix, which jacks up the bounce of the original track, layers on a dose of funk and essentially sets the whole thing ablaze".[6] The songs remix also incorporates UK electronic genres such as jungle and downtempo.[7]

On "Hot Like Fire", Aaliyah "hums and moans promises to her new bae that his patience will be rewarded".[8] Delivering the lines "I know you've been wait, you've been waitin a long time for me/But if you wait a little while longer, this is how it'll be", Aaliyah promises to be "hot and ready for her patient lover on this enticing opening offering".[9] According to Bob Waliszewski's review on the website Focus on the Family, the song "celebrates passionate sex-without suggesting a marital context".[10]

In his autobiography Aaliyah (2021) author Tim Footman, compared the songs lyrics to the content from her debut album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994).[11] According to footman, "With the more sexually explicit tracks on the debut album, the listener was painfully aware of a young girl mouthing grown-up sentiments. But here, lyrics like 'Ya got me meltin' like a sundae' sound sexy rather than sordid."[11] He concluded his assessment saying, "this is a young woman in love with life, feeling the first flushes of passion at its most intense."[11]

Critical reception

Shannon Marcec from Complex felt that the re-recorded remix version of "Hot Like Fire" was better than the original version, stating: "No shade to the original version of "Hot Like Fire," but the "Timbaland's Groove Mix" was 10 times better". Marcec also praised both the song's production and Aaliyah's vocals, saying: "Timbaland presents another entrancing track, beatboxing Susanne Vega's "Tom's Diner," while Aaliyah brings her melodic voice and habitually sexy style".[8] Bianca Gracie from Fuse also felt the remix was better than the original version, also saying that Timbaland "added his magic hip-hop-infused touch to the steamy track, which was anchored by Aaliyah's laidback vocals".[12] Dean Van Nguyen from The Independent said, on "Hot Life Fire, Aaliyah fully emerges on the horizon, her voice cutting through the atmospherics and seeping into your ears."[13] Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In, a publication of the Christian conservative organization Focus on the Family, was less enthusiastic in his review of One in a Million, writing that the sexually suggestive lyrics of "Hot Like Fire" "spoil whatever good this disc has going for it".[10] In his "Talking Music" column, Music Week's Alan Jones described the song as "Elliott's urban groove" and that along with "The One I Gave My Heart To" both were "fabulous showcases for her".[14]

Commercial performance

Released simultaneously with "The One I Gave My Heart To", "Hot Like Fire" didn't chart on any of the major Billboard charts–with the exception of the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, where it peaked at number 31 on August 16, 1997.[15]

Internationally, the song performed moderately, peaking at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart on November 22, 1997.[16] The song also peaked at number 25 on the UK Dance Chart on November 16, 1997,[17] and at number three on the UK R&B Chart on November 23, 1997.[18]

Music video

Synopsis

The accompanying music video for "Hot Like Fire" was directed by Lance "Un" Rivera; Fatima Robinson orchestrated the choreography.[19][20] Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Magoo, Changing Faces, Lil' Kim, and Junior M.A.F.I.A. all make cameos in the video.[21] The video begins with a large group of people in an urban neighborhood setting, sitting outside on a hot day. Also, in the scene, Aaliyah is shown driving a red car while fire trucks are soaring down the street trailing behind her.[21] The setting quickly changes to nighttime, with Aaliyah performing the chorus on a steamy stage filled with red lights and pyrotechnics in the background.[21] During the second verse, Aaliyah is dancing in the crowd. In the remaining scenes of the video, Aaliyah is on stage with her dancers, performing the song's chorus. Timbaland and Elliott are also on stage performing their ad-lib-filled verses.[22]

Fashion

For the video, Aaliyah wore red camo cargo pants that were custom-made by 5001 Flavors.[23] According to her former stylist Derek Lee "Her look was really supposed to be about the pants and her swag, so the top needed to be very, very simple".[23] He continued saying, "She has Jamaican blood and I've always been a fan of dancehall music, so you see her rocking two different colored Clark Wallabees, because Wallabees were huge in dancehall. I always wanted to pull that into it."[23]

Release and reception

The music video for "Hot Like Fire" made its television debut on BET during the week ending August 17, 1997.[24] On August 24, 1997, the video debuted on MTV and September 6 on The Box.[25] The video became the eighth most-played video on BET during the week of September 21, 1997.[26] Emily Manning from i-D felt that the music video was "underappreciated" considering the video's star-studded cameos; she also mentioned that the video "features peak Aaliyah street style: rose-tinted shades and baggy camo cargos".[5] Tatiana Cirisano from Billboard, felt the music video pulled the song together and that "the whole crew — Missy, Aaliyah and Timb — pull up in a firetruck, inciting a bumping block party full of both literal and metaphorical flames".[6] Nylon writer Steffanee Wang thought that after getting "freed" from R. Kelly and joining forces with Timbaland Aaliyah's "sound and visuals got a boost of energy, which you can visually see in this choreography-heavy video.[27]

Live performances

In August 1997, Aaliyah made a televised appearance on the short-lived talk show Vibe, where she performed "Hot Like Fire" and gave the show's host a gift basket full of promotional items.[28][29] Also in 1997 she performed the song at Hot 97FM's annual Summer Jam concert festival.[22] In her autobiography Aaliyah: A Biography (2014), author Jennifer Warner says of the performance, "At Summer Jam, Aaliyah gave notice that she was not looking to be a singer but was a performer".[22] Warner further explained, "she took the stage in the midst of explosions and confetti showers and confidently held the stage with more than a dozen dancers".[22]

Legacy

In 2013, American R&B singer Solange and British indie pop group The xx covered "Hot Like Fire" at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[30] Bassist Oliver Sim sang the first verse of the song while his fellow group member Romy Madley Croft backed him in the performance.[30] Solange came out during the performance in a "bright white tank top and fluorescent pink skirt" to join The xx.[30] Jeff Benjamin from Fuse praised the performance, saying: "Solange's sweet vocals sounded right at home on The xx-ified version of Aaliyah's track. And it was so clear Solange was having fun as she danced around on stage, giggling into the mic and flailed her arms about".[30] Their cover of the song was a nod to the group's modern R&B roots that are infused in their "stripped down sound".[31] In 2016, rapper Nicki Minaj interpolated "Hot Like Fire" in her song "Black Barbies" with the "oh no, no, no, no" line.[32]

Track listings and formats

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Hot Like Fire"
Chart (1997–1998) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[40]
with "The One I Gave My Heart To"		 88
UK Singles (OCC)[41]
with "The One I Gave My Heart To"		 30
UK Dance (OCC)[42]
with "The One I Gave My Heart To"		 25
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[43]
with "The One I Gave My Heart To"		 3
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[44] 31

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hot Like Fire"
Region Date Format(s)[lower-alpha 2] Label(s) Ref.
United States September 16, 1997
United Kingdom October 27, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
  • CD
 Atlantic

Notes

  1. ↑ The original version of "Hot Like Fire" was recorded in 1996, while Timbaland's Groove Mix–used for the music video and included on the single releases–was recorded in 1997.
  2. ↑ On physical formats, "Hot Like Fire" was released as a double A-side single with "The One I Gave My Heart To".

References

  1. 1 2 Shipley, Al (March 16, 2017). "Aaliyah's 'One in a Million' Invented the Sound of the Future". Vice. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  2. ↑ Lang, George (August 31, 2001). "Promising singer worthy of posthumous praise". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 21, 2022. Beginning with her 1996 album, "One In a Million," she was working with Elliott on fine trip-hop such as Hot Like Fire.
  3. ↑ "Aaliyah's 'One In a Million' Turns 20: How Her Second Album Predicted R&B's Future". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ Hampton, Dream (October 1996). "Revolutions- Aaliyah 'One In A Million'". Vibe. New York: 134. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Manning, Emily (January 12, 2017). "5 aaliyah tracks to rediscover, now that you can finally stream her 'ultimate' hits". i-D. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Aaliyah's 20 Best Songs: Staff List". Billboard. August 25, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  7. ↑ Smith, Dashan (October 23, 2019). "The 19 Most Influential R&B Albums of '90s & the Waves it Left". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "The 25 Best Aaliyah Songs". Complex. May 19, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "ONE IN A MILLION' PUSHED AALIYAH TO THE FOREFRONT OF R&B'S NEW SCHOOL". The Boombox. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Waliszewski, Bob. "One in a Million Album Review". Plugged In. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Footman 2021
  12. ↑ "Aaliyah's 15 Best Deep Cuts & Album Tracks". Fuse. August 25, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2018. click the "next" button to view each song review on the list.
  13. ↑ Van Nguyen, Dean (August 25, 2016). "'One in a Million' at 20: How Aaliyah forged pop's future". The Independent. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ Jones, Alan (November 1, 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Aaliyah". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. November 23, 1997. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. November 23, 1997. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Production Notes". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 36. September 6, 1997. p. 111. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ "25 Days of Aaliyah: "Hot Like Fire"". BET. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 Singleton, Mya (November 13, 2022). "One in a million: The ultimate Aaliyah playlist". YardBarker. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Warner 2014
  23. 1 2 3 "Aaliyah's Stylist Derek Lee On Her Most Fashionable Music Video Moments". Nylon. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Video Monitor". Billboard. August 30, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Video Monitor". Billboard. September 6, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Video Monitor". Billboard. October 4, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  27. ↑ Wang, Steffanee (August 10, 2021). "Aaliyah's Music Video Evolution From "Back and Forth" To "Rock The Boat"". Nylon. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Aaliyah - Hot Like Fire (Remix) & Interview - Live On "Vibe" 1997". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  29. ↑ Gallo, Phil (August 8, 1997). "Vibe". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Benjamin, Jeff (April 15, 2013). "Watch The xx & Solange Team Up to Cover Aaliyah at Coachella". Fuse. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  31. ↑ Tanners, Jon (April 14, 2013). "Solange Performs With The xx at Coachella, Covers Aaliyah". Complex. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  32. ↑ Scarano, Ross (November 16, 2016). "The 10 Best Nicki Minaj Remixes". Complex. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  33. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (CD single). United States: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. 2-98002.
  34. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (cassette single). United States: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. 4-98002.
  35. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (maxi single). United States: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. 2-95567.
  36. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (12-inch single). United States: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. 0-95567.
  37. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (maxi CD single). United Kingdom: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. AT0017CD.
  38. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (maxi CD single). United Kingdom: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. AT0017C.
  39. ↑ Aaliyah (1997). The One I Gave My Heart To/Hot Like Fire (maxi CD single). United Kingdom: Blackground Records, Atlantic Records. AT0017T.
  40. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Aaliyah: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  45. ↑ "One I Gave My Heart To / Hot Like Fire / Death". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  46. ↑ "One I Gave My Heart to / Hot Like Fire". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Singles: Releases for 27 Oct–2 Nov 1997: 189" (PDF). Music Week. October 25, 1997. p. 31. Retrieved March 12, 2022 – via World Radio History.

Bibliography

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