The Heat Is On (Agnetha song)
Encyclopedia
"The Heat Is On" was recorded by former ABBA
member Agnetha Fältskog
in 1983 as part of her first English solo-album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me.
The single was a cover version
of a 1979 song by Noosha Fox
, which failed to chart when Fox released it as a single. In contrast, Agnetha's version proved so successful throughout Europe
, it sold more copies than any of ABBA's 1982 single releases. In the UK, "The Heat Is On" peaked at No.35, making it Faltskog's highest charting solo single in Britain until the release of her 2004 comeback single, "If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind
", which reached No.11.
The B-side of "The Heat Is On" was the song "Man", written by Agnetha herself. Compared to her pre-ABBA-albums where most of the songs were self-penned, this was the only song on the Wrap Your Arms Around Me album that she wrote herself.
In some countries, the record companies also released a 12"-single featuring an extended version of "The Heat Is On" instead of the album version.
.
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
member Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
in 1983 as part of her first English solo-album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me.
The single was a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of a 1979 song by Noosha Fox
Fox (band)
Fox was a British-based pop band popular in the mid 1970s. Led by American songwriter and record producer Kenny Young, the band was perhaps best known for its charismatic Australian lead singer Susan Traynor, who performed under the name Noosha Fox....
, which failed to chart when Fox released it as a single. In contrast, Agnetha's version proved so successful throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, it sold more copies than any of ABBA's 1982 single releases. In the UK, "The Heat Is On" peaked at No.35, making it Faltskog's highest charting solo single in Britain until the release of her 2004 comeback single, "If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind
If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind
"If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind" is a song that was originally performed by Cilla Black, written by John Cameron, produced by George Martin. It reached number 20 in the UK charts in 1969. In 1970, Sammy Babitzin recorded a cover version in Finnish...
", which reached No.11.
The B-side of "The Heat Is On" was the song "Man", written by Agnetha herself. Compared to her pre-ABBA-albums where most of the songs were self-penned, this was the only song on the Wrap Your Arms Around Me album that she wrote herself.
In some countries, the record companies also released a 12"-single featuring an extended version of "The Heat Is On" instead of the album version.
Video
The official promo video was shot by Swedish director Erik Irion Nanne in a public bath in Stockholm (Centralbadet) for two nights after closing time. According to Nanne, after the last shot Agnetha fell into the water and could not continue (her hair got all wet). The video also features dancer Blossom TaintonBlossom Tainton-Lindquist
Blossom Tainton-Lindquist, born June 29, 1962 in Stockholm, is a Swedish singer, dancer, publisher, fitness coach and personal trainer.Her father Graham Tainton is a choreographer and she was raised in a showbiz environment. Tainton danced at an early age. She featured in musicals and had a very...
.
Chart positions
| Chart (1983) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 2 |
| French Singles Chart | 10 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 15 |
| German Singles Chart | 20 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 28 |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 35 |