General Public signed to I.R.S. Records and released All the Rage (1984). However, by the time the album was released, Jones was no longer a member of General Public, although he did play guitar on the majority of the album's tracks. Kevin White (who also played on the album) was now the group's official guitarist and sixth member.
In Britain, General Public had a minor hit with the eponymous track called "General Public", which reached # 60. The band fared better in North America, where their second single "Tenderness" was a top 40 hit in the US and Canada, reaching #27 on the U.S. charts, thanks in part to heavy play from MTV and Los Angeles-based modern rock station KROQ. (Ironically, The Beat never had any top 40 hits in the UK.) [Chart info cited from: The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, Billboard Books (2004).]
For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni Minardi and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Unfortunately, despite featuring a track from the soundtrack to Weird Science, Hand to Mouth (1986) was significantly less successful than the debut album, and the band soon split up. They both front two versions of the band, with Roger & Everett Moreton ( as The Beat ) in the UK & Dave in America ( as The English Beat ).
Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reuniting in 1994 to perform a cover of The Staple Singers hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome soundtrack. The song, credited to General Public, was a surprise top 40 hit in the US and Canada, and a minor hit (#73) in the UK.
The duo (now the only members of General Public) stayed together to release the album Rub It Better in 1995, recorded with the aid of producer Jerry Harrison. But sales were dismal, and Roger was tired of the grind of touring, so they soon broke up again.
Beginning in 2000, Dave Wakeling began calling his backing band alternately either General Public or The English Beat. He then toured (mostly in North America) as either "The English Beat featuring Dave Wakeling" or "Dave Wakeling & General Public". Aside from Wakeling, this new backing band featured no original members of The (English) Beat or General Public, although reportedly Ranking Roger and other Beat members turned up as guest performers at a handful of shows.
Hot You're Cool
General Public Lyrics
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This could seem too deep a bite
But the days too bright
Tonight's the night
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Show me my favourite beauty spot
Tie me up in a love knot
Boiling over bubbling up
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot hot hot
Hot legs against my chest
Stomach tight and wet
The very best
Yes you've guessed
You've guessed it
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Show me my favourite beauty spot
Tie me up in a love knot
Boiling over bubbling up
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Show me my favourite beauty spot
Tie me up in a love knot
Boiling over bubbling up
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot hot hot
Hot hot hot hot
Just tell them they should no bother business
Tell them that it's out affair
Tell them nothing else exists
When I run my fingers through your hair
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot hot
Hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot
So hot you cool
So cool you hot
Hot you cool so cool
You hot hot hot hot hot hot hot
The song "Hot You're Cool" by General Public is a fusion of pop, ska and new wave music. The lyrics are sensual and suggestive, depicting an intimate encounter between lovers. The lines, "In a far far cooler light, this could seem too deep a bite, but the days too bright, tonight's the night" set the tone for the song, suggesting that the encounter is happening under the cover of darkness.
The chorus of the song, "So hot you cool, so cool you hot" is repeated, emphasizing the dichotomy of the lovers' relationship. The lyrics, "Hot you cool so cool, you hot hot hot" further reinforce this idea. The second verse of the song describes the physical sensations of being with the lover, "Hot legs against my chest, stomach tight and wet, the very best, yes, you've guessed it" and leads into the chorus that repeats throughout the song.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most suggestive, with the lyrics "Just tell them they should no bother business, tell them that it's our affair, tell them nothing else exists when I run my fingers through your hair." The song cleverly plays on the idea of hot and cool desires and the singer's attempt to keep their relationship under wraps, without the expectations of the larger world.
Line by Line Meaning
In a far far cooler light
If viewed from a different perspective, this may seem like a deep and risky move
This could seem too deep a bite
This may seem like a controversial decision
But the days too bright
But it's a good day to take a risk
Tonight's the night
Tonight is the night to take a chance and have some fun
So hot you cool
You are so attractive and irresistible, yet effortless and relaxed
So cool you hot
You are so cool and collected, yet passionate and desirable
Show me my favourite beauty spot
Let me explore your body and discover your best features
Tie me up in a love knot
Let's get lost in each other's passion and desire
Boiling over bubbling up
Our love and attraction is overflowing and intense
Hot legs against my chest
Your legs are so attractive and sensual as you wrap them around me
Stomach tight and wet
Your body is tense with desire and excitement
The very best
This is the best feeling and experience
Yes you've guessed
You know exactly what I want and need
Just tell them they should no bother business
Ignore what anyone else thinks or says about us
Tell them that it's out affair
Our relationship is our business and no one else's
Tell them nothing else exists
Our love and passion consumes us and nothing else matters
When I run my fingers through your hair
This simple act of intimacy is so satisfying and fulfilling
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: DAVID FREDERICK WAKELING, MICKEY BILLINGHAM, ROGER CHARLERY, S.J. PANTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind