Rod Stewart – Hot Legs

Official music video for Rod Stewart – “Hot Legs” from ‘Foot Loose & Fancy Free’ (1977)

“Hot Legs” – Single by Rod Stewart from the album Foot Loose & Fancy Free.
B-side: “You’re Insane” or “I Was Only Joking”
Released: January 28, 1978
Label: Warner Bros.
Songwriters: Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger
Producer: Tom Dowd
Charted No.28 in US and No.5 in UK

Stewart refers to this rocker as one of his “dirty, rude, shagging songs.” It tells the story of a young lady who won’t leave him alone, wearing him out when she comes by for some lovin’ at all hours. We never learn her name and get the sense that he doesn’t know it – he just calls her “hot legs.”

Many found it objectionable, but it was a believable storyline from Stewart, who was very popular with the ladies. At the time, he was involved with the actress Britt Ekland; he would later marry Alana Hamilton, Rachel Hunter and Penny Lancaster.

The lead guitar that is prominent throughout the song was performed by Billy Peek, a Saint Louis, Missouri native who was in Stewart’s band in the mid-seventies.

The music video, directed by Bruce Gowers, doubled down on the objectification angle, with most shot framed between the legs of a woman we never see from the front (skinny legs – easier for framing but also the popular look at the time). Shot in the dusty town of Piru, California (outside of Los Angeles), the clip shows Stewart and his band performing the song, hanging out with locals, and riding recklessly on top of a truck – boys will be boys.