Hot Cha is the name of a horse in the Parker Bros. board game Derby Day. Ma… Read Full Bio ↴Hot Cha is the name of a horse in the Parker Bros. board game Derby Day. Many believe that John Flansburgh, who wrote and sings Hot Cha, is referring to the disappearance of his brother, the anti-nuclear activist Paxus Calta (born Earl Flansburgh). Calta called the song as "the most clearly-about-me song my brother has written", mentioning that the two would play Derby Day when they were younger, and his favorite horse was Hot Cha. Flansburgh denies that the song is about Calta, however.

Hot Cha
They Might Be Giants Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hot Cha, where are you?
Everybody's eyes are closed
I can't see why I miss you so
So hot Cha, where are you?

First time hot Cha went away
A floating island was his home
Then the phone rang off the hook

And hot Cha had to come back home

Hot Cha, where are you?
Everybody's eyes are closed
I can't see why I miss you so
So hot Cha, where are you?

Second time he went away
Left the bathtub running over
Stereo on and cooking bacon
Never came back to tell us why

If that honey would come back
We would throw such a party
Drink and cook the prodigal son
Fondue forks for everybody

Hot Cha, where are you?
Everybody's eyes are closed
I can't see why I miss you so
So hot Cha, where are you?

Hot Cha, where are you?
Hot Cha, where are you?

Overall Meaning

"They Might Be Giant's" song, "Hot Cha" is a unique song because it doesn't follow a clear plot; rather, it is narrating a series of events that led to the loss of someone named hot cha. The song has three verses, which alternate the chorus of "Hot Cha, where are you?" The lyrics of the chorus reveal the singer's longing for someone named hot cha. The verses, though, may be a bit more cryptic, but the mystery contributes to the song's charm.

In the first verse, the song refers to a time when hot cha went away, and his home was a floating island. The sequence is a surreal one that isn't immediately apparent what the song is trying to convey. In any case, it appears that hot Cha had to return home owing to a ringing phone. The second verse is more explicit than the first, where it describes hot Cha leaving the bathtub overflowing, stereo playing, and bacon frying. Unfortunately, hot cha never returns. The chorus comes in once more, posing the question to no one in particular, "Hot Cha, where are you?" The third verse wistfully imagines a happy ending to the story if hot cha was to return home.

Line by Line Meaning

Hot Cha, where are you?
Asking where Hot Cha is

Everybody's eyes are closed
People are unaware or indifferent to Hot Cha's absence

I can't see why I miss you so
Despite not knowing why Hot Cha is missed, the feeling still persists

So hot Cha, where are you?
Reiterating the question of Hot Cha's whereabouts

First time hot Cha went away
Recalling the first instance of Hot Cha leaving

A floating island was his home
Describing where Hot Cha lived during his absence

Then the phone rang off the hook
Explaining why Hot Cha had to come back home

And hot Cha had to come back home
Detailing Hot Cha's return

Second time he went away
Noting the second occasion of Hot Cha leaving

Left the bathtub running over
Describing an incident that occurred during Hot Cha's second absence

Stereo on and cooking bacon
Further describing the odd circumstances of Hot Cha's second absence

Never came back to tell us why
Expressing bewilderment and lack of explanation for Hot Cha's disappearance

If that honey would come back
Pondering the possibility of Hot Cha's return

We would throw such a party
Anticipating a celebration if Hot Cha were to come back

Drink and cook the prodigal son
Reveling in the joy of Hot Cha's return

Fondue forks for everybody
Envisioning a communal hot pot meal as a form of celebration

Hot Cha, where are you?
Repeating the opening question

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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