Joe COCKER: You Can Leave Your Hat On 7″ RARE!! “Fifty Shades Of Gray” in the 80’s! Remember Kim Basinger’s striptease in “9½ Weeks”

Description

a song written by Randy Newman and appearing on his 1972 album Sail Away. It was made famous by Joe Cocker when featured in the 1986 Adrian Lyne film 9½ Weeks during the striptease scene. It first appeared on his album from that year titled Cocker. Released as a single, Cockers version peaked at #35 on Mainstream Rock Tracks.

Joe Cocker recorded “You Can Leave Your Hat On” for his 1986 album Cocker. Released as a single, Cocker’s version peaked at #35 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and it was featured in the 1986 Adrian Lyne film 9½ Weeks during the striptease scene. It was also a popular single in Australia (where the film was immensely popular), reaching Number 23.

A music video was released which featured footage of the striptease scene from 9½ Weeks and scenes with Cocker and his band performing the song. In some countries, the song itself is considered a striptease anthem, and still being used by strippers.

Released July 3, 1986
Recorded 1985
Genre Blues rock, R&B
Length 4:14
Label EMI

Personnel:
Joe Cocker – lead vocals
Richie Zito – production, guitar
Arthur Barrow – piano, bass
Mike Baird – drums
Dick Hyde – trombone
Joel Peskin – saxophone
Steve Madaio – trumpet
Elisecia Wright – backing vocals
Julia Tillman Waters – backing vocals
Maxine Green – backing vocals

Play This Loud

This is perhaps one of the sexiest tunes we’ve ever heard. It’s compelling and every single element is just spectacular. From the vocals to the horn section and arrangement, it’s like the very definition of musical perfection. Originally recorded by Randy Newman, it was a hit for Cocker as it peaked at no. 35 in the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.

“…too low for me to sing it. I can’t rock it too hard, which maybe I should have … or maybe not.” – Randy Newman

Joe Cocker was one of the few artists who didn’t disappoint. His songs always had so much soul. Oh and by the way, “You Can Leave Your Hat On” is often regarded as a striptease anthem. And well, we’re not even remotely surprised. Just listen to it – the track is oozing with sexiness. There may be other cover versions of this song but this remains our favorite.

Who hasn’t seen it back then, the sadomasochistic romance “9 ½ weeks” that started in our cinemas on April 17th, 1986? While the sexy flick flopped in the prudish USA, box offices rang worldwide – a whopping 100 million dollars were grossed. Probably the most famous scene: Kim Basinger lasciviously dances through the apartment of her lover John, played by Mickey Rourke, to Joe Cocker’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On”. Unforgettable!  Director Adrian Lyne did everything to make the erotic tension between Basinger and Rourke as real as possible. Basinger even retained a scar from the sex scene on the stairs in the pouring rain. She remembers to this day: “It was horrid, up against that brick where there were rusty things going into my back. I still have a scar on my forearm. ”In order to avoid normal familiarity, both actors were not allowed to see each other outside of the set. But even after the film, at least the distinctive blonde did not seek contact with Rourke, who was said to have more than just collegial interest in his playmate.

Baby
take off your coat
real slow.
Take off your shoes
I’U. take off your shoes.
Baby
take off your dress
yes yes yes.
You can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on.
Go on over there
turn on the light
no
all the lights.
Come over here
stand on that chair
yeah
that’s right.
Raise your arms in the air
now shake ’em.
you give me reason to live – you give me reason to live –
you give me reason to live – you give me reason to live.
Sweet darling – you can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on
baby – you can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on – you can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on.
Suspicious minds are talkin’
they’re tryin’ to tear us apart !
They don’t believe that it is love of mine –
They don’t know what love is – they don’t know what love is –
They don’t know what love is – they don’t know what love is –
I know what love is !
There ain’t no way – you can leave your hat on –
You can leave your hat on – you can leave your hat on –
Give me the reason to live – you can leave your hat on!