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.
Heartache No 9
Hot Chocolate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look like a dream
But it's obscence the way you play your game.
You treat them like a number without a name.
Lovers used
Their hearts abused
I'm gone without a trace.
Don't you know it's time to mend your ways?
Don't want to be heartache number nine -
I'm not gonna play that part.
I'm gonna be the one to change your mind
You're never gonna break my heart.
When I'm down I'll be the only one
I'll never be known as heartache number nine.
One to three were way before me
And four was a friend of mine -
They fail for your lies time after time.
Five and six were here and gone
They didn't last too long
And seven and eight were next in line.
Don't want to be heartache number nine - . . .
It's been eight times that love's walked in and out of your life
But it's all in the past 'cause I'm here to stay
Oh baby.
Heartache number nine - heartache number nine -
When I'm down I'll be the only one
I'll never be known as heartache number nine.
Heartache number nine - . . .
Don't want to be heartache number nine - heartache number nine.
Hot Chocolate's song "Heartache No 9" is a lament to a man who seems to be unable to commit to a long-term relationship. The song begins with the singer lamenting that she may become "heartache number nine," the next in a long line of women who have fallen for this man's charms and been left heartbroken. She notes that he treats his romantic interests as numbers rather than individuals with names and feelings. The singer seems to be urging this man to change his ways before she becomes just another notch on his belt.
Throughout the song, the singer refers to the women who came before her, including "one to three," "four [who] was a friend of mine," "five and six," and "seven and eight." All of these women fell for the man's lies and were ultimately left heartbroken. The singer does not want to be just another statistic, but she is confident that she will not be because she is determined not to be won over by his charm. In fact, she hopes to be the one to change his mind and make him see the value in committing to just one person.
Overall, "Heartache No 9" is a powerful song about the dangers of falling for someone who is unable or unwilling to commit to a long-term relationship. It is a message to anyone who has been hurt by love to stand up for themselves and refuse to be just another heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartache number nine - heartache number nine -
The singer is repeating the title of the song, referring to their current experience of heartbreak.
You look like a dream
The subject of the song is physically attractive and seems like a perfect partner.
But it's obscence the way you play your game.
The subject of the song is manipulative and treats their partners poorly.
You treat them like a number without a name.
The subject of the song doesn't treat their partners as individuals with unique personalities and feelings.
Lovers used
The subject of the song has had numerous romantic partners in the past.
Their hearts abused
The subject of the song has hurt their previous partners emotionally.
I'm gone without a trace.
The singer is leaving their current partner because they don't want to be hurt like the previous ones.
Don't you know it's time to mend your ways?
The artist is urging the subject of the song to change their behavior and treat their partners better.
I'm not gonna play that part.
The artist doesn't want to be the next heartbreak for the subject of the song.
I'm gonna be the one to change your mind
The artist believes that they can change the subject of the song's behavior and make them a better partner.
You're never gonna break my heart.
The singer is confident that they won't get hurt in this relationship.
When I'm down I'll be the only one
The artist will rely on themselves for emotional support instead of depending on the subject of the song.
One to three were way before me
The subject of the song has had at least three romantic partners before the singer.
And four was a friend of mine -
The singer knows one of the subject of the song's previous partners personally.
They fail for your lies time after time.
The subject of the song has a pattern of lying to their partners and causing heartbreak.
Five and six were here and gone
Two more of the subject of the song's past relationships didn't last long.
They didn't last too long
The artist emphasizes that the subject of the song has a history of short-lived and unsuccessful relationships.
And seven and eight were next in line.
The subject of the song has had at least eight romantic partners before the singer, including the previous ones mentioned in the song.
It's been eight times that love's walked in and out of your life
The subject of the song has had eight romantic partners in the past, none of whom lasted long-term.
But it's all in the past 'cause I'm here to stay
The artist is optimistic that they will have a successful and lasting relationship with the subject of the song.
Oh baby.
The artist is expressing love and affection for the subject of the song.
Don't want to be heartache number nine - . . .
The artist repeats their desire to avoid being another heartbreak for the subject of the song.
I'll never be known as heartache number nine.
The singer is confident that they will have a successful and happy relationship with the subject of the song, and won't be just another number in their list of failed relationships.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARL ALLEN STURKEN, DAVID GRANT, EVAN A. ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amanda Ryan
Video is terrible. Errol Brown should be out front.