"You Sexy Thing"
Artwork for 1987 vinyl single remix release
Single by Hot Chocolate
from the album Hot Chocolate
B-side
  • "A Warm Smile"
  • "Amazing Skin Song"
  • "Call the Police"
ReleasedOctober 1975
Genre
Length
  • 4:04 (album version)
  • 3:34 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mickie Most
Hot Chocolate singles chronology
"A Child's Prayer"
(1975)		 "You Sexy Thing"
(1975)		 "Don't Stop It Now"
(1976)
Official audio
"You Sexy Thing" (album version) on YouTube

"You Sexy Thing" is a song by British soul band Hot Chocolate. It was written by lead singer Errol Brown and bass guitarist Tony Wilson, and was produced by Mickie Most. The song was released in October 1975 as the second single from their second album, Hot Chocolate, and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in November 1975, as well as number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 the following February. Billboard ranked it the number 22 song for 1976. It went on to gain notability by being featured in films, such as The Full Monty (1997).

Overview

The song was originally a B-side. Not yet convinced that the song could be a hit, producer Mickie Most put it on the flip-side of the Hot Chocolate single "Blue Night". Some months later, Most released a re-recorded version of the song as an A-side on his RAK label. The song was a hit and ultimately became the group's best-known song. In the UK the song was poised for the number-one spot, but was beaten to it by "Bohemian Rhapsody", when on 29 November 1975 the Queen single leapfrogged it from number nine.[5]

A 1987 remix by Ben Liebrand hit number 10.[6] The release of the compilation album The Very Best of Hot Chocolate, featuring the Liebrand remix, reached number one on the UK Albums Chart in February 1987. Ten years later, when it was featured in the film The Full Monty, it went to number six.[6] In the film, the male lead Gaz (played by Robert Carlyle) performs a striptease to the music of "You Sexy Thing". Another US resurgence in 1999 can be credited to a Burger King television commercial in which the song played while the camera examined a Double Whopper. In addition, it is the only song to have entered the UK Top Ten in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s.[7]

Composition

The sheet music for "You Sexy Thing" shows the key of F major.[8]

Track listings

1975 release

  • 7-inch single (Europe, Japan)
  1. "You Sexy Thing" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 4:04
  2. "A Warm Smile" (Harvey Hinsley, Patrick Olive, Tony Connor) – 5:23
  • 7-inch single (1) (North America)
  1. "You Sexy Thing" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 3:30
  2. "Amazing Skin Song" (Errol Brown) – 4:04
  • 7-inch single (2) (North America)
  1. "You Sexy Thing" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 3:30
  2. "Call the Police" (Tony Wilson) – 4:04

1987 re-release (remix by Ben Liebrand)

  • 7-inch single
  1. "You Sexy Thing" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 3:46
  2. "Every 1's a Winner" (Errol Brown) – 4:01
  • 12-inch single (1)
  1. "You Sexy Thing (Extended Replay Mix)" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 7:07
  2. "You Sexy Thing (Sexy Bonus Beats)" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 2:33
  3. "You Sexy Thing (Sexy Instrumental)" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 3:58
  4. "Every 1's a Winner" (Errol Brown) – 4:01
  • 12-inch single (2)
  1. "You Sexy Thing (Extended Replay Mix)" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 7:07
  2. "Megamix" – 9:27
    • "Emma" (E. Brown*, T. Wilson)
    • "So You Win Again" (Russ Ballard)
    • "You Sexy Thing" (E. Brown, T. Wilson)
    • "Every 1's a Winner" (Brown)
    • "You Could've Been a Lady" (Brown)
    • "Heaven Is in the Back Seat of My Cadillac" (Brown)
  3. "Every 1's a Winner" (Errol Brown) – 4:01

1997 re-release

  • CD single
  1. "You Sexy Thing" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 4:02
  2. "You Sexy Thing (Remix)" (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 3:46
  3. "Every 1's a Winner (Groove Mix)" (Errol Brown) – 3:54

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[32] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

In 1997, two covers were released at almost the same time as the re-issue of the Hot Chocolate original. One cover was by pop duo T-Shirt, featuring actress Chloé Treend and songwriter Miranda Cooper, while the other version was by English pop/dance act Clock. Both are re-workings with the original music and lyrics but with new additional vocal segments.

T-Shirt version

"You Sexy Thing"
Single by T-Shirt
Released25 August 1997 (1997-08-25)[33]
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Metro
Music video
"You Sexy Thing" on YouTube

Actress Chloé Treend and songwriter Miranda Cooper collaborated under the name T-Shirt to release a cover of "You Sexy Thing" in August 1997. This version reached number 63 in the United Kingdom, number five in New Zealand, and number six in Australia, where it stayed on the chart for 32 weeks. In Australia and New Zealand, it earned platinum certifications. British magazine Music Week rated this version three out of five, writing, "The Hot Chocolate hit gets a Spice Girls-style reworking with chirpy, cocky vocals mixed in with Errol Brown's soulful delivery. A fresh take on a pop classic."[34]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] Platinum 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Clock version

"U Sexy Thing"
Single by Clock
Released6 October 1997 (1997-10-06)[44]
GenreEurodance
Length3:39
Label
  • Power Station
  • Media
Songwriter(s)
Clock singles chronology
"Oh What a Night"
(1996)		 "U Sexy Thing"
(1997)		 "That's the Way (I Like It)"
(1997)
Music video
"You Sexy Thing" on YouTube

British pop/dance act Clock released a cover of "You Sexy Thing" as "U Sexy Thing" in October 1997. It peaked at number eight in Ireland, number eleven in the United Kingdom and number 100 in Australia. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached its highest position as number 31 in November 1997. A music video was also produced to promote the single, featuring the act performing in a swimming pool.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music Week rated Clock's version three out of five, adding, "Using what sounds like a sample from the Hot Chocolate version, this xerox cover has all the elements but little of Errol Brown's soul. Still, catchy enough to be a hit."[45] The magazine's Alan Jones" wrote, Clock have ticked up an impressive number of hits over the past four years, and are destined for another with a rather tame remake (...). They stick closely to the original, save for a rather perfunctory rap but the song's quality wins the day."[46]

Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[47] 100
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[48] 31
Ireland (IRMA)[49] 8
Scotland (OCC)[50] 12
UK Singles (OCC)[51] 11

References

  1. ↑ "RIP: Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown, of 'You Sexy Thing' fame, dies aged 71". Vanyaland. 6 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Slotnik, Daniel E. (7 May 2015). "Errol Brown, 71, Dies; Wrote and Sang Disco Hit 'You Sexy Thing'". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  3. ↑ Breihan, Tom (3 January 2020). "The Number Ones: Exile's "Kiss You All Over"". Stereogum. Retrieved 7 July 2023. ...with a guitar riff ripped straight from Hot Chocolate's 1975 pop-soul hit "You Sexy Thing".
  4. ↑ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "This Is How You Disappear: Bristol, Shoegazing, and a New Psychedelia". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 681. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
  5. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 75 – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Hot Chocolate – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 259/260. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. ↑ E, Brown; Chocolate, Hot (27 August 2012). "You Sexy Thing". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 "National Top 100 Singles for 1976". Kent Music Report. 27 December 1976. Retrieved 11 January 2022 – via Imgur.
  10. ↑ "Top 100 Singles: Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1976". Top100singles.blogspot.com.au. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  11. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". Austriancharts.at. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "RPM Top Singles". Library and Archives Canada. 31 January 1976. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  13. ↑ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 23 August 2008)
  14. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  15. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". charts.nz. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  16. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  17. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  18. ↑ "Hot Chocolate: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  19. ↑ "Hot Chocolate – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  20. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 261.
  21. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 2/14/76". Tropicalglen.com. 14 February 1976. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  22. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 24 May 1987. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  23. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 132.
  24. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 6 December 1997. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  26. ↑ "Britain's best selling records of '75". Record Mirror. London: Billboard. 10 January 1976. p. 12. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1976 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 8 December 1963. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1976/Top 100 Songs of 1976". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  30. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1987 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 31 December 1987. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  31. ↑ "British single certifications – Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "American single certifications – Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  33. ↑ "Reviews – Records Out on August 25, 1997: Singles". Music Week. 16 August 1997. p. 31.
  34. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 16 August 1997. p. 31. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  35. ↑ "T-Shirt – You Sexy Thing". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  36. ↑ "T-Shirt – You Sexy Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  37. ↑ "T-Shirt – You Sexy Thing". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  39. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  40. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1998". ARIA. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  42. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  43. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – T Shirt – You Sexy Thing". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  44. ↑ "Reviews – Records Out on October 6, 1997: Singles". Music Week. 27 September 1997. p. 33.
  45. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 27 September 1997. p. 33. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  46. ↑ Jones, Alan (5 July 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 30. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  47. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  48. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 15 November 1997. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  49. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – U Sexy Thing". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  50. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  51. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
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