Hot 'n' Nasty

Album: Smokin' (1972)
Charted: 52
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Hot 'n' Nasty," the opening track from the stellar album Smokin', was written by Steve Marriott. Marriott ambitiously took charge of Humble Pie after Peter Frampton left, so he produced it as well. In fact, Marriott ran around doing everything on this album until he collapsed with nervous exhaustion and his doctors put him on rest leave. You can hear his effort coming through in every minute of this album.
  • "Hot 'n' Nasty" was Humble Pie's biggest US hit. The band was one of the original '70s "supergroups," and are an important point in rock history. As if having Peter Frampton be part of the act weren't enough to cement their importance, Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash) did a guest turn on Smokin'. That's his backing vocals overdubbed on "Hot 'n' Nasty," and Stills also fired up his Hammond organ for "(I'm a) Road Runner / Road Runner's 'G' Jam."
    Clem Clempson has guitar and keyboard duty here, and he has a spot of supergroup history himself. He was previously with British progressive jazz-rock band Colosseum, before being brought in as Peter Frampton's replacement here. After this, he would narrowly miss becoming a member of Deep Purple. Clemson also dropped in for guest performances with Manfred Mann and Bob Dylan. Oh, and graphic arts fans will want to check out the incredible cover art on the single. You know you're listening to '70s supergroup boogie when you see that, don't you?

Comments: 2

  • Paul from Wilton, Ct"Hot n Nasty"

    From the 1972 'Smokin' Album which was released in April 1972.

    "Hot n Nasty' was the #1 Song on the Album, and was highly promoted. It was released as a single in April 1972, and peaked at #52
    in May 1972 on the U.S. Billboard Charts.

    This song stayed on the charts for 7-Weeks.

    This slow-burning Rhythm and Blues song featured an Organ and Piano, and had some Boogaloo Funk mixed in with it's mid-to-fast tempo pace.
    It sounded a bit like a 'Small Faces' song.

    Clem Clempson had replaced Peter Frampton on Guitar in late-September 1971. This was the '1st' Humble Pie album without Peter Frampton.

    * 'Hot n Nasty' was an average song (Studio Album), and it was 'not' overly popular with the hard-rock driving Humble Pie fans in 1972.
  • Paul from Wilton, CtAnother 'Rockin Boogie' song with a Funkaldelic flair by Steve Marriott.

    Released in March 1972 ('Smokin' Album) it hit #52 on the Billboard Charts.

    It was better 'live' and in concert than on the studio Album.

    The Humble Pie hard rock fans did 'not' like this song.

    A 'fair' song at best, and it was quickly forgotten.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."