They're Red Hot
Encyclopedia
"They're Red Hot" is a song originally performed and written by blues
musician Robert Johnson. Notably, it is one of very few songs recorded by the bluesman that is not based around twelve bar blues
. It is based on a common ragtime
chord progression. Unlike some other Johnson songs, only one recording of this song exists.
It was also performed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
on their 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
. The band recorded this song outside of The Mansion on top of a hill at two in the morning, as seen in the 1992 documentary Funky Monks
. The song is available for download for the Rock Band
series, being one of the shortest and most difficult.
The song has also been covered by Eric Clapton
, featured on his 2004 homage to Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson
. American jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson
recorded her own version on her album Belly of the Sun
. However, the song appeared under the title "Hot Tamales
". Richie Kotzen
has his version of this song on his Bipolar Blues album. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performs a version of this song on their DVD Anarchy in the Ukulele under the title, "Hot Tamales, They're Red Hot".
Hugh Laurie
recently covered the song on his 2011 album "Let Them Talk
".
The song "All By Myself," originally performed by Fats Domino in the fifties, bears some lyrical resemblance to Johnson's song. There is also another early rock and roll number, written by Billy Lee Riley
, titled simply "Red Hot." This version contains lyrics that are very similar to the song by Robert Johnson, with the most obvious difference being the chorus, which goes "my girl is red hot / your girl ain't doodley squat." It is possible that these songs are homages to Johnson's song or simply revised adaptations rewritten to appeal to the early rock and roll fan base (another example of this being Carl Perkins' "Matchbox," a popular adaptation of Blind Lemon Jefferson
's "Matchbox Blues," for which Perkins gave Jefferson no authorship credit). However, Johnson's songs were not generally available until 1961, so these other songs may have drawn from a common source that may also have influenced Johnson.
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
musician Robert Johnson. Notably, it is one of very few songs recorded by the bluesman that is not based around twelve bar blues
Twelve bar blues
The 12-bar blues is one of the most popular chord progressions in popular music, including the blues. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics and phrase and chord structure and duration...
. It is based on a common ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
chord progression. Unlike some other Johnson songs, only one recording of this song exists.
It was also performed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
on their 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was the band's first record released on Warner Bros. Records...
. The band recorded this song outside of The Mansion on top of a hill at two in the morning, as seen in the 1992 documentary Funky Monks
Funky Monks
Funky Monks is the title of a 1992 documentary about the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the recording of their highly successful 1991 Warner Bros. debut Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album was produced by Rick Rubin and recorded in The Mansion, a supposedly haunted house which Rubin now owns...
. The song is available for download for the Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
series, being one of the shortest and most difficult.
The song has also been covered by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, featured on his 2004 homage to Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson
Me and Mr. Johnson
Me and Mr. Johnson is an album by Eric Clapton released in 2004. The album is a tribute to legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. According to Clapton's autobiography, the recordings weren't intended to become an album. The band had rented the studio, but Clapton didn't have any songs written, so he...
. American jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack [who has] expanded the playing field" by incorporating country, blues and folk music into her...
recorded her own version on her album Belly of the Sun
Belly of the Sun
Belly of the Sun is an album by American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. It was released on the Blue Note label in 2002.The title of the CD comes from a line in "Only a Dream in Rio" that Wilson had translated to Yoruba ".....
. However, the song appeared under the title "Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales are a cinnamon candy manufactured by the Just Born.They are shaped like Mike and Ike candies and were introduced in 1950.In addition to the hot and spicy flavor, there is also Hot Tamales Fire which is more intense than the original, a darker red in color, and less opaque.A spearmint...
". Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
has his version of this song on his Bipolar Blues album. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performs a version of this song on their DVD Anarchy in the Ukulele under the title, "Hot Tamales, They're Red Hot".
Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie
James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
recently covered the song on his 2011 album "Let Them Talk
Let Them Talk
Songs of the Special Edition-Charts:-Certifications:- Release history :-External links:** on...
".
The song "All By Myself," originally performed by Fats Domino in the fifties, bears some lyrical resemblance to Johnson's song. There is also another early rock and roll number, written by Billy Lee Riley
Billy Lee Riley
Billy Lee Riley was an American rockabilly musician, singer, record producer and songwriter. His most memorable recordings included "Rock With Me Baby," and "Red Hot".-Biography:...
, titled simply "Red Hot." This version contains lyrics that are very similar to the song by Robert Johnson, with the most obvious difference being the chorus, which goes "my girl is red hot / your girl ain't doodley squat." It is possible that these songs are homages to Johnson's song or simply revised adaptations rewritten to appeal to the early rock and roll fan base (another example of this being Carl Perkins' "Matchbox," a popular adaptation of Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson
"Blind" Lemon Jefferson was an American blues singer and guitarist from Texas. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been titled "Father of the Texas Blues"....
's "Matchbox Blues," for which Perkins gave Jefferson no authorship credit). However, Johnson's songs were not generally available until 1961, so these other songs may have drawn from a common source that may also have influenced Johnson.