The title “Hot & Heavy” is a clever usage of the idiom. The idiom implies a relationship that is “sexually intense, active, or exciting”. Here, Lucy uses the phrase on a surface level to describe the past and a former lover, but uses the words separately to describe her current emotions running into them again “(Hot) in the face / (heavy) memories.”
This song is about the pain of knowing some things can never be reproduced, the pain of stumbling back on it and wondering “what if (X) was different” be it a relationship, or a childhood, or a dream you never reached.
"I thought I was writing ‘Hot & Heavy’ about an old friend, but I realized along the way that it was just about me outgrowing past versions of myself.
So much of life is submitting to change and saying goodbye even if you don’t want to. Now whenever I go to places that used to be significant to me, it feels like trespassing the past. I know that the teen version of me wouldn’t approve of me now, and that’s embarrassing and a little bit heartbreaking, even if I know intellectually that I like my life and who I am." - via NME
"My first big tour in 2016—after my first record came out—was two and a half months, and at the very end of it, I broke up with my partner at the time. I came back to Richmond after being gone for the longest I’d ever been away and everything felt different: people’s perception of me; my friend group; my living situation. I was, for the first time, not comfortable in Richmond, and I felt really sad about that because I had planned on being here my whole life. This song is about returning to where you grew up—or where you spent any of your past—and being hit with an onslaught of memories. I think of my past self as a separate person, so the song is me speaking to me. It’s realising that at one point in my life, everything was ahead of me and my life could’ve ended up however. It still can, but it’s like now I know the secret." - via Apple Music
Hot & Heavy
Lucy Dacus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hot blood in my pulsing veins
Heavy memories weighing on my brain
Hot and heavy in the basement of your parents' place
You used to be so sweet
Now you're a firecracker on a crowded street
Couldn't look away even if I wanted
Try to walk away but I come back to the start
Led me to the floor even though I'm not a dancer
Ask me all the questions that your parents wouldn't answer
How could I deny it, diamond in the rough
You let me in your world until you had enough
You knew that I wanted you to bend the rules
How did I believe I had a hold on you?
You were always stronger than people suspected
Underestimated and overprotected
When I went away it was the only option
Couldn't trust myself to proceed with caution
The most that I could give to you is nothing at all
The best that I could offer was to miss your calls
Being back here makes me hot in the face
Hot blood in my pulsing veins
Heavy memories weighing on my brain
Hot and heavy in the basement of your parents' place
You used to be so sweet
Now you're a firecracker on a crowded street
Couldn't look away even if I wanted
Try to walk away but I come back to the start
And it happens over and over, and over and over again
Over and over, and over and over again
I wish I was over it, over it, over it, over it
A hidden gem, my own goldmine
You had the wide and wild eyes
You were a secret to yourself
You couldn't keep from anyone else
Now you're the biggest brightest flame
You are a fire that can't be tamed
You're better than ever, but I knew you when
It's bittersweet to see you again
The first verse of the song "Hot & Heavy" by Lucy Dacus presents the singer being back in her hometown and struggling with the overwhelming emotions that arise from being back in a place with heavy memories. Being back in their old home brings back hot blood memories, and heavy nostalgia. It's about revisiting a place that has so much history, both good and bad. Even though she knows someone she used to have a close relationship with has changed into someone she barely recognizes, she still feels drawn to the place and can't help going back, even if she knows it will hurt her.
In the second verse, the singer revisits a past relationship with someone that began as sweet but ended up changing into something intense, leaving her with emotional scars. She was attracted to this person's rebellious nature and desire to bend the rules. She was enchanted by their recklessness, but also knew it was dangerous. She couldn't deny their spark. However, eventually, they broke up, and she had to leave town. The singer reflects on how, at the time of their separation, she couldn't trust herself, so the most she could offer was to miss his calls. The chorus hits the same theme of nostalgia, as the singer finds herself drawn in over and over again, despite knowing it might hurt her.
The final verse of the song 'Hot & Heavy' sees the singer reflecting on a change in the behavior of an old friend/lover. In the past, she was a secret to herself and couldn't keep anything to herself. However, she suddenly becomes someone much more significant, drawing more attention and fascination. No longer the sweet person she used to know, she is now a wild flame that is impossible to contain. Though they've both changed, and their relationship has gone through many phases, the singer is still drawn to her old friend; seeing her again was "bittersweet."
Line by Line Meaning
Being back here makes me hot in the face
Returning to this place makes me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.
Hot blood in my pulsing veins
I feel intense emotion and passion.
Heavy memories weighing on my brain
I am burdened by memories of past experiences.
Hot and heavy in the basement of your parents' place
Our relationship was once intense and passionate, but now it feels suffocating and confined.
You used to be so sweet
You were once kind and gentle.
Now you're a firecracker on a crowded street
You are now more assertive and unpredictable in your behavior.
Couldn't look away even if I wanted
I am still drawn to you despite my reservations.
Try to walk away but I come back to the start
I keep returning to this relationship, even though I know it may not be healthy for me.
Led me to the floor even though I'm not a dancer
You introduced me to new experiences, even if they weren't comfortable or familiar for me.
Ask me all the questions that your parents wouldn't answer
You opened up to me in ways that you couldn't with your own family.
How could I deny it, diamond in the rough
I couldn't resist your unique qualities and potential, even if they were hidden or underdeveloped.
You let me in your world until you had enough
You shared yourself with me, but then eventually shut me out.
You knew that I wanted you to bend the rules
You understood that I wanted you to challenge expectations and take risks with me.
How did I believe I had a hold on you?
In retrospect, I realize that I never truly had control over you or our relationship.
You were always stronger than people suspected
You had inner resilience and strength that wasn't immediately apparent to others.
Underestimated and overprotected
You were often dismissed or underestimated, but also shielded from certain challenges or dangers.
When I went away it was the only option
Leaving our relationship was necessary for my own well-being.
Couldn't trust myself to proceed with caution
I lacked the emotional stability to handle our relationship in a healthy way.
The most that I could give to you is nothing at all
I couldn't offer you the emotional support or commitment that you may have wanted from me.
The best that I could offer was to miss your calls
I could only manage to be somewhat present in your life, even if only in limited ways.
And it happens over and over, and over and over again
This dynamic or pattern repeats itself frequently and predictably.
I wish I was over it, over it, over it, over it
I want to move on from this cycle of attraction and disappointment.
A hidden gem, my own goldmine
You were a special, valuable person to me, almost like a treasure.
You had the wide and wild eyes
You had a captivating, expressive gaze.
You were a secret to yourself
You were still discovering your own identity and desires.
You couldn't keep from anyone else
Your individuality and unique qualities were apparent to others, even if you didn't fully realize them yourself.
Now you're the biggest brightest flame
You shine and stand out in a powerful way.
You are a fire that can't be tamed
You are strong-willed and self-assured.
You're better than ever, but I knew you when
You have grown and evolved, but I remember when we were both different people.
It's bittersweet to see you again
I have mixed emotions about reconnecting with you - both happy and sad.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Lucy Dacus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aldovillafanegutierrez6498
Lyrics
Being back here makes me hot in the face
Hot blood in my pulsing veins
Heavy memories weighing on my brain
Hot and heavy in the basement of your parents’ place
You used to be so sweet
Now you’re a firecracker on a crowded street
Couldn’t look away even if I wanted
Try to walk away but I come back to the start
Help me to the floor even though I’m not a dancer
Ask me all the questions that your parents wouldn’t answer
How could I deny diamond in the rough
You let me in your room till you had enough
You knew that I wanted you to bend the rules
How did I believe I had a hold on you
You were always stronger than people suspected
Underestimated and overprotected
When I went away it was the only option
Couldn’t trust myself proceed with caution
The most that I could give to you is nothing at all
The best that I could offer was to miss your call
Being back here makes me hot in the face
Hot blood in my pulsing veins
Heavy memories weighing on my brain
Hot and heavy in the basement of your parents’ place
You used to be so sweet
Now you’re a firecracker on a crowded street
Couldn’t look away even if I wanted
Try to walk away but I come back to the start
And it happens over and over, and over and over again
Over and over, and over and over again
I wish I was over it, over it, over it, over it, over it
A hidden gem my own goldmine
You had the wide and wild eyes
You were a secret to yourself
You couldn’t keep from anyone else
Now you’re the biggest and brightest flame
You are a fire that can’t be tamed
You’re better than everybody anyway
It’s bittersweet to see you again
@clairemietus8607
The members of boygenius will never let me experience peace.
@Pancho308
Claire....Not a weak link. I love them all.
@wufengwang1077
you so pretty!
@nikeak
Sammmeeee
@davidadams2395
There's no shortage of good music today. It's hard to keep up at my age, and I'll never hear it all before I die, but I feel fortunate to have heard Lucy Dacus.
@leonardteagle2107
Really happy 😊 with Lucy's 🎶
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@tensei5151
Listen to Tyler, The Creator's new album(Call Me if You Get Lost)
@valroe7034
love u david
@user-xg6zz8qs3q
Thanks for saying this! Too many old folk seem to rant about new music. I feel the same way. The algorithms are recommending me 5 or 6 album masterpieces every day (from any decade) and I can't physically keep up.
@youthofyesterdayrecords
So true. Like The Beths! And a ton more. Art ain't dead.