Kool & the Gang - Too Hot (lyrics)

6th track from "Ladies' Night" (1979). This smooth R&B/Soul ballad about a couple who married young—perhaps too young—and is now being torn apart by their passion, reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1980. The album marked the debut of lead vocalist James "J.T." Taylor.

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I always liked the smooth, steady groove of this song—a little different from the band's usual sound—although it always left me feeling a little sad. Oh, and just a tad incredulous too. I could never hear it without thinking, ' "the time we prayed..." What?? You only prayed ONCE?!? Well, no wonder your marriage is a mess! If only you had prayed together A LITTLE MORE OFTEN...' Yep, the family that prays together stays together. Let this be a lesson to us all. :)

~thatMimosaGrove

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On the heels of Kool and the Gang's comeback hit "Ladies Night" came this pleasant surprise. The title "Too Hot" suggests how a lady looks on the dance floor. However, the song is about the stormy breakup of a marriage. Brilliant title, great story.

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Song written by Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang

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Album Personnel

James "J.T." Taylor - lead and backing vocals
Ronald Bell - tenor saxophone, backing vocals, keyboards, bass
Dennis "D.T." Thomas - alto saxophone, backing vocals
Claydes Smith - guitars
Deodato - keyboards
Adam Ippolito - keyboards
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass, backing vocals
George "Funky" Brown - drums, backing vocals
Clifford Adams - trombone
Christine Albert - trumpet
Robert "Spike" Mickens - trumpet
Jon Faddis - trumpet
Cedric Toon - backing vocals
Earl Toon - backing vocals
Something Sweet (Diane Cameron, Cynthia Huggins, Joan Motley) - backing vocals

Mike Doud - Art Direction
Joe Kotleba - Cover Design
Raul Vega - Photography

Produced by Eumir Deodato and Kool & the Gang

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THE EARLY YEARS

In 1964, thirteen-year-old Robert Bell, his brother Ronald, and five high-school friends in Jersey City, New Jersey, formed an instrumental band called the Jazziacs. They changed their name to Kool & the Flames in 1967, then Kool & the Gang in 1969 (to avoid confusion with James Brown's Famous Flames) and were signed by Gene Redd to his new record label De-Lite Records in 1969.

The Bell brothers' father Bobby and uncle Tommy were boxers. They moved to New York to train and lived in the same apartment building as Thelonious Monk, who became Robert's godfather when he was born. Miles Davis would drop by because he wanted to be a boxer. They played occasionally with McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, and Leon Thomas.

~Wikipedia

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Image Credits (other than album art, in order of appearance): Sippanont Samchai / Brian Geltner / Miss Copenhagen / Anil kumar

[robertcummings]

I love this music. We need more of old school music in this world

[conradford]

Such a classic, we had the best music.

[mardicole]

I used play this song and Ladies Night when I would be getting ready for a night out on the town -- got me pumped up to have a really fun time, 🤸‍

[LisaJohnson-flzi]

Can't get no better than this !!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[menkysz]

It’s been well over 40 years and I miss the love of my life

[grayj]

Been listening for a very long time. Always will be a fan of Kool & The Gang.

[robertrka]

That SAXOPHONE is just MAGNIFICENT! DAMN.😁

[edwardhill]

J.T. has got to have one of the smoothest voices to come along in the 80s and held the title all decade long.. I love Kool & The Gang

[rj]

To hear my parents play this song as a kid was a good day for me

[nickbell]

Wow this song is deep especially for the married people meet in high school

[bromantx]

Checking in, in 2022 and still jams 🔥

[koffeebrwn]

Heyyy my song. I remember this as a child in 1980

[robertomcghie]

Thought it's about a failed marriage, it's still a beautiful song from Ronald Bell. Hearing songs like these, you can't help but miss the 60s to the 80s, when you had fantastic singers and talented songwriters/producers. It was a privilege growing up with songs of that era.
Always loved JT's voice, it has a nice smooth tone and texture. And what about that bass line intro from "Kool", simply awesome.

[oscarvega]

This jam is soo smooth
velvety, simply Beautiful.

[roundmountain]

Thank you for using the full version and not the radio edit!

[patgoddard]

I love this song, and i always sing it in the shower, when the water suddenly runs too hot!, Also i thought there was a gotta run, from this masquerade, haha.

[kirkjohnson]

Got married in 1979 still going strong still love my high school sweetie

[sagera]

Checking in on this hot day to cool off with these smooth lyrics! 2023

[bromantx]

2018 and I’m still jamming this classic

[jackieobrien-murphy]

Amazing true raw passionate lyrics. Timeless classic. 👏🍀