Formed circa 1968/69, the original core members included percussionist Patrick Olive, guitarist Franklyn De Allie and drummer Ian King, along with bass player Tony Wilson, pianist Larry Ferguson and with Jamaican-born songwriter/vocalist Errol Brown. For Apple, they released a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance", and backed Mary Hopkins on "Think About Your Children" before the Apple label dissolved. In 1970, they signed to Rak Records, a label owned by UK producer Mickie Most who had the group compose the final chart hit for Herman's Hermits. On their own they were to become one of the U.K's best loved charts groups, with 25 UK top 40 hit singles in their career. Hot Chocolate enjoyed their first UK hit in 1970 with "Love Is Life" followed by many more U.K. Top 10 hits including "I Believe (In Love)," "Brother Louie" (a stateside #-1 for U.S Stories), "A Child's Prayer," "Put Your Love In Me," "No Doubt About It," "Girl Crazy," "It Started With A Kiss" and "What Kinda Boy You Looking For (Girl)."
While popular in the U.K, it wasn't until 1974 that they secured a U.S record deal with Big Tree records, releasing the single "Emma", and becoming associated with burgeoning disco scene with "Disco Queen." Their second US album featured "You Sexy Thing" which hit #3 on the US top 40 charts. By 1978 they were affiliated with Infinity Records in the U.S and hit #6 on the charts with "Every 1's A Winner." 1979 sees the band release the LP "Going Through The Motions" obviously burning out on disco, but still commercially aiming for the dancefloor market with the irionic track "Mindless Boogie". They continued for some years afterwards but never regained the chart action or a U.S label, with lead singer Errol Brown finally leaving in 1987, basically putting an end to the group.
In 1992, with a new line-up, manager and agent, Ric Martin, took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe. A minor resurgence in interest in Hot Chocolate's music occurred after the 1998 film "The Full Monty" used "You Sexy Thing" prominently in the soundtrack. Errol brown was also known under the nickname, "the singing malteser" due to his bald head.
Chances
Hot Chocolate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause the dice you threw didn't show your number
And they all think your winning days are through
I'll be there to pick you up.
Your confidence mustn't start to drop
I'll take my chance 'cause I have faith in you.
So spin the wheel
Call your number - lucky my stakes on you
Life's the dealer and your cards I cannot see
Out all on earth I'll take my chances on you.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you
When all your so called friends used to call
Forget your number 'cause they all think
You're a star fallen from the sky.
I'll be there right by your side my love
For you cannot be denied I'll see it through
'cause I believe in you.
So roll the dice
Call your number
Lucky I'm there with you.
We may lose but the game we must play
And it's true lifes kicked you down
And your heart is filled with pain
But of all on earth Ill take my chances on you.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
So roll the dice call your number
. . .
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
'cause I believe in you
Yeah.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
The lyrics to Hot Chocolate's song Chances convey a sense of unwavering loyalty and belief in someone despite their apparent setbacks and failures. The repetition of the phrase "take my chances on you" highlights the singer's willingness to risk everything to support the person they believe in. The comparisons to games and gambling, such as spinning the wheel and rolling the dice, illustrate the unpredictable nature of life and the need to take chances even when the odds are uncertain. The optimistic tone of the lyrics is underscored by the use of words such as "luck" and "faith," reflecting the idea that success is not always predetermined by past failures or external judgments. Overall, the song encourages resilience, perseverance and unwavering faith in oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
When all have lost faith in you
Everyone has given up on you, but I haven't.
'cause the dice you threw didn't show your number
You had a setback, you didn't succeed this time.
And they all think your winning days are through
People think you'll never be successful again.
I'll be there to pick you up.
I'll be there to offer support and encouragement.
Your confidence mustn't start to drop
Don't doubt yourself because you haven't won this time.
I'll take my chance 'cause I have faith in you.
I believe in you and I'm willing to take a risk.
So spin the wheel
Take a chance.
Call your number - lucky my stakes on you
I'm betting on you to win.
We may lose but the game we must play and it's true.
Even if we don't win, we have to keep trying.
Life's the dealer and your cards I cannot see
Life is unpredictable, and we can't control everything.
Out all on earth I'll take my chances on you.
Out of all the people on earth, I believe in you.
When all your so called friends used to call
When the people you thought were your friends abandon you.
Forget your number 'cause they all think
People have given up on you because you didn't succeed.
You're a star fallen from the sky.
You were once great, but now you're not seen as successful.
I'll be there right by your side my love
I'll be there to support you no matter what.
For you cannot be denied I'll see it through
I believe in you and I won't give up.
'cause I believe in you.
My faith in you won't waver.
So roll the dice
Take a chance.
Lucky I'm there with you.
I'm there to support you no matter what.
'cause I believe in you
My faith in you won't change.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
I'm willing to take a risk on you.
So roll the dice call your number
Keep trying and taking chances.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
I'm willing to take a risk on you.
'cause I believe in you
I have faith in you.
Take my chances on you - take my chances on you . . .
I'm willing to take a risk on you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERROL BROWN, RAINFORD CHRISTOPHER CAMERON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CJ
Beautiful song!
tommygatch
Quite different from "You Sexy Thing" (1975) and "Every 1's a Winner" (1978).
Guess they were going for a more mature/mellow sound.
Truth Reigns Forever
R.I.P. Errol Brown
Fernanda silva
😍😍😍😍