Hot Legs Single: 1978

Rod's Blistering Blues Kicker

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 20, 1978, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: K 17101), Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs” — backed with “I Was Only Joking” — was the second single from his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. In the UK, it was issued as a double A-side. The single reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The lead guitar was played by Billy Peek, a Saint Louis native and member of Stewart’s mid-1970s band. In 1993, Stewart recorded a live version for his MTV Unplugged session, included on Unplugged...and Seated, with altered lyrics in the final verse.

The lead guitar, prominent throughout the song, was played by Billy Peek, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, who was part of Stewart's band in the mid-seventies.

Billboard described "Hot Legs" as a "blistering blues rocker" comparable to the best songs by the Rolling Stones. Cash Box noted it as a "solid kicker from the proven Stewart rock n' roll good-time format." Record World commented that Stewart's "voice and sense of humor are intact, while his L.A. session all star cast lays down a satisfyingly raunchy backup."

Country: Netherlands Catalogue: WB 17.089

Track Listing

A: Hot Legs

B: I Was Only Joking

Production & Context

From Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977). The lead guitar is prominent throughout, giving the track its raunchy edge.

Contemporary Reviews

Billboard: Described “Hot Legs” as a “blistering blues rocker” comparable to the best songs by the Rolling Stones.

Cash Box: Called it a “solid kicker from the proven Stewart rock n' roll good-time format.”

Record World: Noted that Stewart’s “voice and sense of humor are intact, while his L.A. session all star cast lays down a satisfyingly raunchy backup.”

Chart Performance

UK Singles Chart: Peak No. 5

Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 28

Rod Stewart's single "Hot Legs / You're In My Heart" released under Warner Bros, catalog number 17 063.

Do you have Hot Legs in your vinyl stack? Ready to rock those legs? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia and BBC Official Charts Company

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.

Compilation of Rod Stewart's classic albums "A Night on the Town," "Atlantic Crossing," and "Coast to Coast Overture and Beginners," prominently featured in a French music catalogue under catalogue number 17 063 by Warner Bros, Paris.