"Hotter than Hell" received mainly positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its tropical sound. It became Lipa's first entry on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 15. The song also charted in the top 40 of Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia. "Hotter Than Hell" has been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI Danmark), and platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld - en geluidsdragers (NVPI), respectively.
The music video for "Hotter than Hell" accompanied the song's release and was directed by Emil Nava. Filmed in a warehouse in London, the visual shows a dark party with several backgrounds and lighting, and features a disco ball. Lipa has promoted the single with live performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, RTL Late Night, and Sommarkrysset.
Background and release
In 2013, Lipa met Ben Mawson and Ed Millett of Tap Management while holding meetings with other management companies. After recognising her talent, Mawson and Millett set up writing sessions for her, during which "Hotter than Hell" was written. The song was written by Lipa alongside Adam Midgley, Tommy Baxter and Gerard O'Connell of English electronic band Ritual, with Stephen Kozmeniuk, Jay Reynolds and Tom Neville respectively handling the production, additional production and vocal production. The writing began with just keys and a kick drum, with no production behind it. Lipa was inspired by a relationship where her boyfriend made her feel like she was not good enough. Lipa originally intended to scrap the song after struggling to figure out the chorus. However, she began scrolling through Tumblr where she saw the words 'Hotter than Hell' written in red on a black background. She then thought, "What if he thought I was hotter than hell, and I just didn't want him?" The collaborators then changed the meaning as if Lipa had the upper hand and her boyfriend couldn't get enough of her. Lipa stated that writing the song was "very therapeutic" for her.
"Hotter than Hell" was one of the first songs written for Lipa's 2017 eponymous debut studio album. It dictated what the rest of the album would sound like and when she figured out her dark pop genre. After hearing the song in 2015, Warner Music signed Lipa to a recording contract. Lipa first revealed that the song would serve as the fourth single from Dua Lipa in February 2016 in an interview with BBC. "Hotter than Hell" was released for digital download and streaming on 6 May 2016, through Lipa's independent record label, Dua Lipa Limited. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in the United Kingdom and Italy. The track later appeared as the third track on Lipa's eponymous debut studio album, released on 2 June 2017. The song received several remixes, including ones by Miike Snow and Matoma. The Miike Snow remix slows down the tempo and warps its melody, as well as including a disco groove. Lipa stated that the remix "makes [her] wanna get up and dance" and Edwin Ortiz of Complex viewed it as "an equally satisfying performance that transports the original from the nightclub to a rooftop party in the city." For Billboard, Kat Bein stated that the Matoma remix is "for beach days in the burning sun and long drives in top-down convertibles."
Hotter Than Hell
Dua Lipa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He calls me the devil
I make him wanna sin
Every time I knock, he can't help but let me in
Must be homesick for the real
I'm the realest it gets
You probably still adore me
Can you feel the warmth, yeah?
As my kiss goes down you like some sweet alcohol
Where I'm coming from, yeah
Is a darker side of me that makes you feel so numb
'Cause we're hot like hell
Does it burn when I'm not there?
When you're by yourself
Am I the answer to your prayers?
I'm giving you the pleasure of heaven
And I'll give it to you
Hotter than hell
Hotter than hell
You're my manna from heaven
We all gotta get fed
Can't let me know I'm wanted
Can't let me in your head
I'm not here to make you kneel
But it's praise that I'll get
You ain't gonna walk free, boy
Not finished with you yet, no
Can you feel the warmth, yeah?
As my kiss goes down you like some sweet alcohol
Where I'm coming from, yeah
Is a darker side of me that makes you feel so numb
'Cause we're hot like hell
Does it burn when I'm not there?
When you're by yourself
Am I the answer to your prayers?
I'm giving you the pleasure of heaven
And I'll give it to you
Hotter than hell
Hotter than hell
When we go down right there
You make me feel right there
When you lay me down right there
We just make it right there
'Cause you're looking so right there
Baby you should touch me right there
If you take me right there
We can make it
'Cause we're hot like hell
Does it burn when I'm not there?
When you're by yourself
Am I the answer to your prayers?
I'm giving you the pleasure of heaven
And I'll give it to you
Hotter than hell
Hotter than hell
Hotter than hell (hey, hey, hey, hey)
Hotter than hell
And I'll give it to you
Hotter than hell
The song "Hotter Than Hell" by Dua Lipa is an anthem for those who feel like they are the devil and have a darker side to them. The lyrics suggest that the persona of the song is someone that makes the other person want to sin, and they can't help but let them in. The idea of being the devil is present throughout the song, from being called the devil to praising them like they're a god. The lyrics suggest that this persona is aware of the power they have over the other person, with lines like "With my hands around your neck".
The chorus of the song suggests that the two are "hot like hell", and the persona is providing pleasure that feels like heaven. The lyrics suggest that this is an addictive relationship, and even if the other person probably still adores them, they are not done with them yet. The line "Can't let me in your head" suggests that the persona knows that they have power over the other person but does not want them to fully realize it. At the same time, the chorus suggests that the other person feels like the persona is the answer to their prayers and that they are hotter than hell.
In summary, "Hotter Than Hell" seems to be about a relationship between a persona who has a darker side and has power over the other person, who is addicted to the pleasure they provide. The lyrics imply that the relationship is not one of equals, with the persona having more power and control over the other person.
Interesting facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
He calls me the devil
He recognizes my wild, untamable nature
I make him wanna sin
I am so irresistible that he is willing to go against his principles
Every time I knock, he can't help but let me in
I have power over him and he is willing to submit to it
Must be homesick for the real
He is looking for something authentic and genuine, which I provide
I'm the realest it gets
I am the epitome of authenticity, which he finds attractive
You probably still adore me
Despite my flaws, you still love me
With my hands around your neck
I am in control and you are under my spell
Can you feel the warmth, yeah?
Do you feel the intense passion between us?
As my kiss goes down you like some sweet alcohol
Kissing me is intoxicating and addictive
Where I'm coming from, yeah
I have a wild, dangerous side to me
Is a darker side of me that makes you feel so numb
My dangerous persona is so alluring that you lose touch with reality
'Cause we're hot like hell
We have an intense, fiery connection
Does it burn when I'm not there?
Do you feel as passionate without me around?
When you're by yourself
When no one else is around
Am I the answer to your prayers?
Am I the one you have been searching for?
I'm giving you the pleasure of heaven
I am providing you with intense pleasure
And I'll give it to you
I will continue to provide you with pleasure
You're my manna from heaven
You are my source of sustenance and nourishment
We all gotta get fed
We all have needs that must be met
Can't let me know I'm wanted
You must keep your desire for me a secret
Can't let me in your head
You must not let me take over your thoughts and emotions
I'm not here to make you kneel
I do not want to dominate or humiliate you
But it's praise that I'll get
You will still admire and praise me
You ain't gonna walk free, boy
I will always have a hold over you
Not finished with you yet, no
I have not had my fill of you yet
When we go down right there
When we have sexual relations in that moment
You make me feel right there
You make me feel good and satisfied in that moment
When you lay me down right there
When you have me lie down in that moment
We just make it right there
We just connect and feel good in that moment
'Cause you're looking so right there
Because you look so attractive and appealing in that moment
Baby you should touch me right there
You should touch me in that spot in that moment
If you take me right there
If you have sex with me in that moment
We can make it
We can create a fulfilling and satisfying sexual experience together
And I'll give it to you
I will continue to provide you with pleasure
Hotter than hell
Our passion and desire for each other are intense
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dua Lipa, Gerard O'Connell, Tommy Baxter, Adam Midgley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NPT Music
Another great song from Dua Lipa !
George Skanderbeg
Huh who thought she would get so famous lol
Sara A
@George Skanderbeg lmaooo hellll yeahhhh
Laila Elgouille
Yes she is amazing
Laila Elgouille
@George Skanderbeg yes because of new rules 😂
Disciple
Don't take the v@ccine trust in the LORD ALMIGHTY!!!!
dark horse !
She basically never made a bad song even when she wasn't Huge as she's now
Ivanildo Becari
top
Mouna Elgouille
I agree she is amazing
ace aleksovski
@Laila Elgouille ummmm. Underated, listen to future nostalgia