‘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 Records in 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 was the band's biggest hit, peaking at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number four in Australia.
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.
The group debuted this song on Saturday Night Live when they were the musical guest on the February 16, 1985 episode. It was Robert Palmer's only appearance with the group until their '90s reunion.
According to Robert Palmer, the song's vibe was influenced by the band dynamic. "I remember The Power Station as being a lot of fun, a non-stop party, hence the almost salsa feel to this," he wrote in the liner notes to his Addictions: Volume 1 compilation. "The sessions also gave me a lot of confidence because it was enjoyable being called in as a singer only."
Labels – Parlophone, Capitol
Songwriters – Andy Taylor, John Taylor, Robert Palmer
Producer – Bernard Edwards
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1: Robert Palmer]We want to multiply, are you gonna do it?
I know you qualify, are you gonna do it?
Don't be so circumscribed, are you gonna do it?
Just get yourself untied, are you gonna do it?
[Pre-Chorus: Robert Palmer]
Feel the heat pushing you to decide
Feel the heat burning you up, ready or not
[Chorus: Robert Palmer & chorus]
Some like it hot, and some sweat when the heat is on
Some feel the heat and decide that they can't go on
Some like it hot, but you can't tell how hot 'till you try
Some like it hot, so let's turn up the heat 'till we fry
[Verse 2: Robert Palmer]
The girl is at your side, are you gonna do it?
She wants to be your bride, are you gonna do it?
She wants to multiply, are you gonna do it?
I know you won't be satisfied until you do it
[Pre-Chorus: Robert Palmer]
Feel the heat pushing you to decide
Feel the heat burning you up, ready or not
[Chorus: Robert Palmer & chorus]
Some like it hot, and some sweat when the heat is on
Some feel the heat and decide that they can't go on
Some like it hot, but you can't tell how hot 'till you try
Some like it hot, so let's turn up the heat 'till we fry
[Guitar Solo]
[Pre-Chorus: Robert Palmer]
Feel the heat pushing you to decide
Feel the heat burning you up, ready or not
[Chorus: Robert Palmer & chorus]
Some like it hot, and some sweat when the heat is on
Some feel the heat and decide that they can't go on
Some like it hot, but you can't tell how hot 'till you try
Some like it hot, so let's turn up the heat 'till we fry
[Coda: Robert Palmer & chorus]
Some like it hot, some like it hot
Some like it hot, some like it hot
Some like it hot, some like it hot
Some like it hot, some like it hot