DESCRIPTION:
An interracial English funk and soul group, Hot Chocolate scored a pair of huge hits in the '70s but were otherwise more enthusiastic than skilled. Lead singer Erroll Brown, guitarist Harvey Hinsley, keyboardist Larry Ferguson, bassist Tony Wilson, drummer Tony Connor, and conga player Pat Olive were the original lineup. They recorded for Big Tree from 1975 to 1978, scoring a Top Ten R&B and pop hit with "You Sexy Thing" in 1975, which also was a gold single. They repeated the trick in 1978 with "Every 1's a Winner," once more earning a gold single in the process. No other Hot Chocolate song ever made it beyond number 40 on the R&B chart, and their albums never packed much commercial punch either. Wilson departed in 1975, and Olive switched to bass in his place. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
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A 1987 remix by Ben Liebrand hit number 10. It was also covered by Deee-Lite in 1994. When it was featured in the movie, The Full Monty in 1997, it went to number six in the chart. It is the only song to enter the UK Top Ten in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
"You Sexy Thing" was covered by Tom Tom Club in 1992 on their album Dark Sneak Love Action. Two more covers were released at almost the same time as the 1997 re-issue of the Hot Chocolate original. Thus, for one week, the UK Singles Chart boasted three versions of the song. One cover was by the pop/dance act Clock. The other version, by T-Shirt, featuring Chloé Treend, went to number 1 in New Zealand and sold triple platinum in Australia. Hot Chocolate lead singer Errol Brown appeared in the film clip. Both were re-workings with the original music and lyrics but with new added additional rap/vocal segments.
The Stereophonics also covered the song for the Radio 1: Established 1967 album.