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.
Rumours
Hot Chocolate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Hot Chocolate's song "Rumours" tell a story of a relationship that has gone sour, and the feeling of betrayal and hurt that comes with it. The first verse questions whether the person being addressed thinks they are foolish enough to believe that begging for their love would actually make them come back. The singer knows that they have made up their mind, and there's nothing they can do to change it. The second verse reflects on the fact that the singer has given this person their all, their heart and soul, and wonders what else they could have done differently to make things work. They need a love that can last and a girl they can trust, but they feel as though they are always searching and hurting. The chorus repeats the sentiment that they gave everything to this person and asks for a sign of whether or not they should move on, and the final verse reflects the realization that the relationship was always doomed to fail, and that they are always losing when it comes to love.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rumours" are a relatable account of the pain of a failed relationship and the difficulty of moving on. It speaks to the all-too-common feelings of pouring your heart and soul into a relationship only to be met with betrayal and heartbreak. Hot Chocolate's blend of soul and funk music helps to convey the emotional weight of the lyrics, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling what do you take me for some kinda fool
I'm not a fool, so why are you acting like I am?
Who believes begging on my knees gonna bring you back
Begging won't make you stay, so why bother?
I know thatÆs not a fact darling something inside of me
I know you won't come back, but my heart still hopes.
Tells me that you made up your mind nothing I can find
I feel like you've already made your decision and nothing can change it.
Nothing I could do toàtowards you I gave you my heart
There's nothing I could do to make you love me again, even though I gave you everything.
I gave you my soul didnÆt I didnÆt I, I gave you my heart
I gave you everything I had, but it still wasn't enough.
Darling yes I need a love that Can last yes I need a girl I can trust honestyÆs a must
I deserve someone who will love me forever and be honest with me.
Searching, searching loves always hurtingàso you got it allà.
I keep looking for love, but it always hurts, so maybe you were the best I could get.
Give me just a minute of your time before you throw the line Tell me tell me give me a little sign
Before you completely break my heart, please give me a sign that you ever loved me.
yet she was aàyet she was rude
Even though she was never nice to me, I still loved her.
àif you were me tell me what would you do darling I should have known it wouldnÆt last
If you were in my shoes, would you keep trying or give up? I should have known it wouldn't work out.
yes I should have known it from theàyouÆre gonna leave
I should have seen the signs that you were going to leave me.
aàusing, using loves always losing so you got it allà
I keep getting used in love, so maybe you were just using me too.
I gave you my heart I gave you my soul didnÆt I didnÆt I, I gave you my heart I gave you my heart didnÆt I do
I'm reminding you that I gave you everything and asking if it was ever enough.
yet she was aàyet she was rude àif you were me tell me what would you do
I still loved her, even though she was unkind. If you were me, would you keep trying or give up?
tell me tell me give me a little sign yeah I gave you my heart I gave you my soul didnÆt I didnÆt I, I gave you my heart I gave you my heart didnÆt do
I am pleading with you to let me know if there's any hope for us. I gave you everything, but it wasn't enough.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL BROWN, MICHAEL GEORGE CONNARIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krzyszczynski
Jon Blund: hope you won't mind one or two suggestions about the lyrics.
Used to think it was "Charlie boy" being addressed by the singer, but now I listen again, it could just as easily be Johnny.
In the first "Did you know ... " segment, I've always heard that final line as:
"Do you think that people in high places never score?"
And in the second, I hear:
"And did you know that the man in the green skin has got green feet?"
(The term "green skin" might have some significance in certain strata of society, but the real meaning of it has always escaped me. Can anyone else help?)
Jon Blund
Same here. But have made these by ear:
"There was an old man
who lived in a house,
a big white house,
who had some naughty children
who had some naughty mouths.
Put your eye to the keyhole, Johnny boy,
-can you see when they try to screw you up.
I will set you free
if you will vote for me.
All you've got to vote for
are the things you'll never see.
Put your ear to the keyhole, Johnny boy,
-can you hear when they try to screw you.
Listen!
Did you know that the man next door
is making it with the woman next door?
(No! -Yes, he is)
Did you think that good hiding places never store?
(Can you dig this, man? Huh)
I will vouch for you
if you will vouch for me.
All you've got to vouch for
are the things you didn't see.
Put your eye to the keyhole, Johnny boy,
-can you see when they tryin' to screw you.
Listen!
Did you know that the man across the street
is making it with the man across the street?
(No! -Yes, he is)
And did you know that the man in the ???-skin
has got three feet? (Ah-bom-bom-bom!)
It's got to be a rumour then...
Hey, did you hear about Nikki?
Yeah, Nikki's been peepin' through her keyhole, man.
Yeah? -Yeah..."
(A couple of smaller uncertainties,
but 95% of it should be correct. Enjoy ;-) )
Milan petrović
It`s one of their best songs, ever!!!
S
The music on this track is incredible and the vocals stand on there own. Real accomplished musicians one of my all time favourites and probably the best track ever, the acoustic drums and that mad synth player, a masterpiece. RIP Errol Brown
mrrkdino
Should have been a big hit for Hot Chocolate. Great number.
Critter
Rest in peace, Erroll! What a fab collection of Hot Chocolate songs; especially Rumors!
fannycraddock99
RIP Errol. This was a very underrated song.
Evol Bob
I'm listening to Hot Chocolate to remind others what we listened to in the past, and fuck me dead when this came on - and I didn't have a clue - how the fuck did I miss this classic?
Rumours is One of the best HC songs.
Phillip Hill
fannycraddock99 Agreed. Brilliant lyrics but rarely if ever given air time.
Vaughan Lewis
@***** Glad I am not alone. This is the best Hot Chocolate track by far for me and there have been many great ones. Very sad we have lost such a lovely gentleman. I loved the band and Errol was a gentle kind soul. I am very sad today.
Krzyszczynski
It was the follow-up to Brother Louie. Yes - too similar, I guess, to match the success of the earlier record. But I always preferred this one, myself. Really conjures up the edgy kind of atmosphere in which rumours can develop and run riot. And some nice touches of zany humour as a bonus.
Oscar Travis
massive song!