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
Single by Village People
from the album Cruisin'
ReleasedSeptember 25, 1978
Recorded
GenreDisco
Length6:19
LabelCasablanca
Songwriter(s)
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] Marc Zakem of The Courier-Journal praises the lyrical wit and musical vitality of "Hot Cop" stating that it is "the first disco song I've heard in a long time in which I can actually imagine a roomful of dancing people."[8] and Paul Green of Billboard criticizes the "standard disco cliche" of the refrain, with its "Party, boogie, boogie" lyrics.[9] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it the Village People's 9th greatest song.[10]

Other appearances

The Village People performed "Hot Cop" on the first episode of Dance Fever on January 13, 1979.[11] They also performed "Hot Cop" on The Midnight Special on January 27, 1979.[12]

A live version of "Hot Cop" was included on the Village People's 1979 album Live and Sleazy.[9][13] Billboard Magazine rated it as one of the "best cuts" from Live and Sleazy.[14] The Village People performed the song in Jean Yanne's 1978 French musical film Je te tiens, tu me tiens par la barbichette.[2][15] It has been included on a number of Village People compilation albums, including Greatest Hits and The Best of Village People.[3][16]

Chart performance

Weekly charts
Chart (1978) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot Disco Singles[4] 2

References
  1. Gardner, Eriq (March 5, 2015). "Jury Decides Village People 'Y.M.C.A.' Songwriter Has 50 Percent Song Share". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  2. 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.
  3. Erlewine, S.T. "Greatest Hits [Rhino]". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  4. "The Village People Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  5. Hanson, A. "Hot Cop". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  6. Hanson, Amy. "Cruisin'". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  7. Nester, D. (2009). How to Be Inappropriate. Counterpoint Press. p. 246. ISBN 9781593762537.
  8. Zakem, Marc (January 14, 1979). "Is disco a threat to rock 'n' roll?". Courier-Journal. p. H 9. Retrieved 2021-01-04 – via newspapers.com.
  9. Green. P. (November 17, 1979). "Closeup". Billboard Magazine. p. 79. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  10. Kachejian, Brian (20 July 2021). "Top 10 Village People Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  11. Maksian, George (December 23, 1978). "'Buck Rogers' flies to theaters". The Daily News. p. 38. Retrieved 2021-01-04 – via newspapers.com.
  12. Lewis, Dennis John (January 26, 1979). "TV Today". Intelligencer Journal. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-01-04 – via newspapers.com.
  13. Erlewine, S.T. "Live and Sleazy". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  14. "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. October 6, 1979. p. 72. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  15. "Je te Tiens, tu me Tiens par la Barbichette". isbn. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  16. Huey, S. "The Best of Village People". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
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