Some Like It Hot (song)

"Some Like It Hot" is a song by British-American band the Power Station. It was the first single released from the group's 1985 eponymous debut album. Released by Parlophone in February 1985, the song features loud, prominent drum beats from Tony Thompson and lead vocals from Robert Palmer. The video featured model Caroline Cossey (also known as Tula). It became the band's biggest hit, peaking at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number four in Australia.

Background Bassist John Taylor said on the creation of the song: "What we really wanted to do was put this drummer out there in a way that we felt he deserved, so that song particularly was sort of designed to really showcase Tony. I flew to Nassau in the Bahamas, which was where Robert Palmer lived at the time, and played him the demo that Andy and I had written and said, 'We've got this idea that we're calling "Some Like It Hot".' And he just looked at me and said, 'And some sweat when the heat is on.' I was, like, 'Yes! That'll do...'"

The Power Station were living a lavish, drug-fueled lifestyle during the recording of the album, which made focusing difficult. "I had to be, like, strapped to the desk if I was gonna get a bass line finished, because I was just all over the place," John Taylor said.

Track listings UK and US 7-inch single "Some Like It Hot" – 3:45 "The Heat Is On" – 3:20

UK and US 12-inch single "Some Like It Hot and the Heat Is On" – 6:36 "Some Like It Hot" – 3:45 "The Heat Is On" – 3:20 Also released as a 12-inch picture disc in the UK

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1985)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)4Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)9Japan (Oricon)98South Africa (Springbok Radio)10US Billboard Hot 1006US Hot Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)17

Year-end charts Chart (1985)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)40Canada Top Singles (RPM)80Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)95Netherlands (Single Top 100)89US Billboard Hot 10079

In popular culture "Some Like It Hot" was used for CBS Daytime advertising campaigns in 1985 and 2022.

References