Posted on 09/04/2025 4:49:35 PM PDT by simpson96
"When You're Hot, You're Hot" is a 1971 crossover single written and recorded by Jerry Reed. The song was his most successful on the country chart, peaking at number one for five weeks.
The song describes an illegal game of craps being played in a back alley. The singer is having a streak of good luck against his two friends, winning several games in a row. In the second verse, a police officer discovers the game, arrests the participants and "take(s) all that money for evidence". Now the singer uses the same words to acknowledge his predicament, telling the cop "when you're hot, you're hot".
The third verse describes the trio in court to face the punishment, and to the singer's delight, he finds out that the judge presiding over the case is one of his old fishing buddies—whom, as it turns out, he owes money. When the singer attempts to bribe the judge by offering to pay back the money in exchange for a lighter sentence, the judge grins and does the opposite: gives the other two small fines, but sentences the singer to 90 days in jail with the response "when you're hot, you're hot!"
The song ends with the singer going into a tirade against the judge, telling him that if he weren't in his black robe, he'd have been physically attacked, and that someone would have to "collect my welfare, pay for my Cadillac". The judge immediately declares the singer to be in contempt of court.
Jerry Reed - "When You're Hot, You're Hot" (1971)
My favorite Rap song
It’s the Snowman. Now I’m going to have to watch Smokey and the Bandit, even though this song isn’t in that movie.
A better one is.
One of the best pickers, ever.
Best movie I ever went to in 1977.
It’s one of those movies that whenever it’s on, I have to stop what I’m doing and watch it.
“””It’s one of those movies that whenever it’s on, I have to stop what I’m doing and watch it.”””
I have several copies and it’s on the rotation out in the shop.
Eastbound and down, load it up and truck it, we gonna do what they say can’t be done....
This song was HUGE on the pop charts, and landed Jerry a summer replacement series on CBS. “The Jerry Reed ‘When You’re Hot You’re Hot’ Hour”.
Either before or after to this song was his other top hit “Amos Moses” about a one-armed Cajun trapping alligators in the Louisiana swamp.
I used to have that pictured album when I was in high school.
I remember being surprised by a video his guitar playing a few years ago. I had always assumed he was a goofy comedy actor and novelty act.
“You can spend it all down at city hall.”
Always loved that line.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.