Hot Cop

"Hot Cop" is a song by the American disco group Village People recorded for their third studio album Cruisin' (1978). It was written by Jacques Morali and Village People lead singer Victor Willis.[1] It served as Willis' theme song with the Village People.[2] Although not released as a single, it was a disco hit.[3] A medley with "Y.M.C.A." reached number 2 on Billboard's Hot Disco Singles chart.[4]

"Hot Cop"
Label to Brazilian release as B-side of "Y.M.C.A." single
Song by Village People
from the album Cruisin'
Released	September 25, 1978
Recorded	1978 Sigma Sound Studios (New York, New York)
Genre	Disco
Length	6:19
Label	Casablanca
Songwriter(s)	Jacques Morali Victor Willis
Producer(s)	Jacques Morali

Composition

"Hot Cop" is a mid-tempo disco song.[5] Its danceability is enhanced by its cyclical beat.[5] Allmusic critic Amy Hanson describes the vocals as having a "funk style" that ranges from "righteous rolling to spoken word come-ons a la Earth, Wind & Fire."[5] The bassline is similar to that which Spandau Ballet would use on their early songs.[5] The lyrics are somewhat self-referential, as Willis dressed as a "Hot Cop" within the Village People concept, wearing a full policeman uniform.[2]

Reception

Although Allmusic critic Amy Hanson found "Hot Cop" to be "dismally boring" she describes it as a "tribute to the triumph of the disco scene, as Victor Willis patrolled the floors, letting all who dared to dance know, 'this is the hot cop talking to you. I want everybody to get on their feet.'"[5][6] "Hot Cop" was a disco hit during the late 1970s disco scene.[3][7] A medley with "Y.M.C.A." reached number 2 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.[4] Allmusic's Hanson praises the song's vocals, both the "powerful vocals" of lead singer Willis and the backing vocals provided by the other Village People members.[5] Paul Green of Billboard Magazine criticizes the "standard disco cliche" of the refrain, with its "Party, boogie, boogie" lyrics.[8]

Other appearances

Prior to its official release, "Hot Cop" was featured in a French musical movie called Je te Tiens, tu me Tiens par la Barbichette[9] as this song was originally slated to be the single from Cruisin.'

A live version of "Hot Cop" was included on the Village People's 1979 album Live and Sleazy.[8][10] Billboard Magazine rated it as one of the "best cuts" from Live and Sleazy.[11] The Village People performed the song in Jean Yanne's 1978 film Je te tiens, tu me tiens par la barbichette.[2] It has been included on a number of Village People compilation albums, including Greatest Hits and The Best of Village People.[3][12]

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1978) Peak position US Billboard Hot Disco Singles[4] 2 References http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/jury-decides-village-people-ymca-779420 Bego, M.; Jones, R. (2008). Macho Man: The Disco Era and Gay America's Coming Out. ABC-CLIO. pp. 88, 93, 122, 183. ISBN 9780275999629. Erlewine, S.T. "Greatest Hits [Rhino]". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31. "The Village People Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31. Hanson, A. "Hot Cop". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-08. Hanson, Amy. "Cruisin'". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-08. Nester, D. (2009). How to Be Inappropriate. Counterpoint Press. p. 246. ISBN 9781593762537. Green. P. (November 17, 1979). "Closeup". Billboard Magazine. p. 79. Retrieved 2012-10-31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180768/ Erlewine, S.T. "Live and Sleazy". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31. "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. October 6, 1979. p. 72. Retrieved 2020-07-07. Huey, S. "The Best of Village People". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics