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Post Your Work => Cover Songs => Topic started by: Pete C on April 10, 2025, 10:06:07 AM

Title: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Pete C on April 10, 2025, 10:06:07 AM
1975Fest (banner image missing)


First song by me for the 1975 Fest, one of the cheesier songs from that year.

Always reminds me of hearing my younger brother singing his misheard lyric "I believe in Milko"

- Hot Chocolate's You Sexy Thing

Pete
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: ODH on April 10, 2025, 12:13:06 PM
Fantastic. Love a bit of Hot Chocolate. I will give this more attention when I get the opportunity.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: TPB on April 10, 2025, 02:28:07 PM
Funky playing you sexy thing nice
Tim
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Pru on April 10, 2025, 05:26:24 PM
cool funky track mate. well produced and performed. i don't know the original and have never heard of hot chocolate so i'll have to check them out.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: kenny mac on April 10, 2025, 05:56:11 PM
Cool funky guitar work.
Like that guitar intro tone.
Hot chocolates songs all seemed to be sex driven lol.
Great groove mate, you've done the song justice.
Well done.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: ODH on April 11, 2025, 12:50:43 AM
Back for another listen.

That guitar tone on the riff at the start is very authentic and I love the auto-wash on the rhythm. Brilliant work.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Zoltan on April 11, 2025, 02:31:38 AM
I'm doing the second dips too with this one. It's funky, authentic and really nails the groove which is the most important thing with this song. It sounds bred in the 70s.

Well done!
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Mike_S on April 11, 2025, 05:10:08 AM
Great job Pete. Performances are all rock solid. Rhythm guitar is so good. It sounds so seventies, it's a classic really. You made some excellent sound choices and I enjoyed your vocal too! Spot on mate.

Mike
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Ted on April 11, 2025, 09:59:50 AM
I know the original ;) – Oh how I know the original.

I have to admit, I put off listening to this. From the first time I ever heard this (at the age of 12 or 13) I found that vocal leap of the intro and chorus to be kind of startling – a major fucking 10th. Are we alpine yodeling here, or what? To say nothing of the nascent anti-dance-music sentiments I had at that age. When I saw this in the jukebox here, I asked myself, "Is Pete really going for that? Brave man. But do I want to hear it?"

I don't fault you for sticking to a more reasonable vocal range. (I used to be able to hit that B4 note, but I think those days are gone). But also your vocal performance is more natural – less cheesy and "look what I can do" showy than the original. You've made it listenable, and it's on about it's 5th repeat right now.

Not to say that your version isn't cheesy. It still is. And you still get a Songcrafters medal of bravery for sharing this.

It's clear you took care with this production: The bass, the strings, the synth. Tell us about the guitar over on the left – is that an auto-wah?
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Jean Pierre on April 11, 2025, 10:27:01 AM
Excellent Pete, I love the rhythm guitar in this one too...I didn't know this song, so of course I'm going to listen to the original.

Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Pete C on April 11, 2025, 11:16:49 AM
Quote from: Ted on April 11, 2025, 09:59:50 AMI know the original ;) – Oh how I know the original.

I have to admit, I put off listening to this. From the first time I ever heard this (at the age of 12 or 13) I found that vocal leap of the intro and chorus to be kind of startling – a major fucking 10th. Are we alpine yodeling here, or what? To say nothing of the nascent anti-dance-music sentiments I had at that age. When I saw this in the jukebox here, I asked myself, "Is Pete really going for that? Brave man. But do I want to hear it?"

I don't fault you for sticking to a more reasonable vocal range. (I used to be able to hit that B4 note, but I think those days are gone). But also your vocal performance is more natural – less cheesy and "look what I can do" showy than the original. You've made it listenable, and it's on about it's 5th repeat right now.

Not to say that your version isn't cheesy. It still is. And you still get a Songcrafters medal of bravery for sharing this.

It's clear you took care with this production: The bass, the strings, the synth. Tell us about the guitar over on the left – is that an auto-wah?

Some cheese in moderation isn't too bad..I don't view my music too seriously and it's all for a bit of fun ! I shall wear my medal with pride !

I recorded all the music before attempting to sing the song and was struggling. I tried it in a higher register, added some Boss BR800 harmonies, ran it through the pitch correction patch, played it to the Mrs who said it was awful then recorded the final version in my usual half an octave range and thought that'll have to do.

The rhythym guitar was played through my Tone City Funny Boy pedal which is a cheap copy of the Mad Professor Snow White auto wah.

My recording modus operandi has changed a bit recently - at one time I'd get all my gear out and record a song in a few hours then post it. I've started taking a bit more time now. I'll do the main guitar tracks on one day then come back later to add any extras like strings, solos and vocals. My cheese is now more processed lol.

To be honest, it's never been a favourite song of mine either but it does bring back memories of the 70's and, at least from the playing aspect, it seemed something fairly easy to do.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: thetworegs on April 14, 2025, 01:13:14 AM
You brought a memory back Pete with this one I went to see Hot chocolate back in the 70's with my mum & dad at the ABC in peterborough I think it was my first concert great cover by the way
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: StephenM on April 14, 2025, 07:05:54 AM
this sounds even better when you open up two of them and put them just a tiny amount apart from each other.
I remember this crazy song so well...the mid 70's had great music and also very weird music..
this might be cheesy but it isn't swiss.
you did real good with the keys and that bass... love this.  got me bopping and hoppin...
does your band do this one... could be a good add for late in the gig after everyone is a bit tipsy...
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: StephenM on April 14, 2025, 07:10:20 AM
Quote from: Pete C on April 11, 2025, 11:16:49 AMplayed it to the Mrs who said it was awful

imagine that
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Farrell Jackson on April 14, 2025, 08:21:01 AM
Cheesy is good Pete! This is one of those songs, cheesy or not, that I listened to a lot. Not by choice but because it played on all the USA pop stations all the time. Nicely done on this cover!
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Pete C on April 14, 2025, 11:53:47 AM
Quote from: StephenM on April 14, 2025, 07:05:54 AMdoes your band do this one... could be a good add for late in the gig after everyone is a bit tipsy...

Not had chance to speak to you recently Stephen, but unfortunately my band has finished so I'm back to being a lonely bedroom guitarist again   :'(
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: dasilvasings on April 14, 2025, 04:11:29 PM
No, those strings/ synths in the background are not cheesy at all ;-)

I heard this song for the first time (at least that I remember) in the OST of Full Monty, a 1997 movie.
Great song, great choice, great groove with the bass pulling the song.

I was reading in former replies what you did with the vocals, and I can relate with you. Most of the time it is not worth to try to sing as the original, because, we, mere mortals, simply don't have their voices. Just stick where you are comfortable and keep it your own.
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: BerryPatch on April 17, 2025, 08:34:13 PM
Such a classic sound, I think everyone alive subconsciously knows that groove/riff. Great recording here and your vocals and synths take it over the top. Great cover!
Title: Re: You Sexy Thing 1975 Fest
Post by: Zoltan on April 18, 2025, 03:01:27 PM
Looking back... When i was younger i thought this song was creepy and sleazy.

I still think it's sleazy. Kinda makes me wonder if i should cover it too at somepoint.

Your version is more house broken.

The original has borderline sex offender vibes. My version would probably sound like it was sung behind the bars.

Yeah, this is the version to hear if you wanna keep it clean(er).