Hot Like Fire

"Hot Like Fire" is a song written by Missy Elliott and Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Aaliyah's second album, One in a Million (see 1996 in music). It is the fifth release overall and the official fourth single in North America (see 1997 in music). The single was released as a hip hop soul remix produced by Timbaland, titled as "Timbaland's Groove Mix". It samples Art of Noise' "Moments In Love" and Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner".

The song is about a relationship between a female and a male; Aaliyah sings that she wants her boyfriend to wait "a little while longer" before having sex, but when she is ready she will "take him higher". Aaliyah performs most of the song, while Timbaland contributes ad libs and Missy Elliott chants "I'ma make it hot like fire" as the outro. The song was considered a flop because it was not picked up by many radio stations barely making the Top 40 on the R&B Airplay chart and not making The Rhythmic Top 40 altogether.

"Hot Like Fire" was fairly successful in the UK, charting as part of a double A-side single with "The One I Gave My Heart To", which peaked at #30 on the UK Singles Chart. Indie rock band The xx covered the song on their debut album as a bonus track. The song was released on September 16, 1997 as a double A-side with "The One I Gave My Heart To."

Promotion

Aaliyah performed "Hot Like Fire" at Summer Jam 1997 sponsored by New York City radio station Hot 97 on August 10, 1997 [1]. She also performed the song on the short-lived talk show, VIBE.

Music video

The music video was directed by Lance "Un" Rivera. Fatima Robinson directed the choreography. Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Playa, Changing Faces, Lil' Kim, and Junior M.A.F.I.A. made cameos in the video. The video was edited to "Hot Like Fire (Timbaland's Groove Mix)".

The video starts with a large number of people in an urban neighborhood on a very hot summer day. Aaliyah drives a red car with a fire engine. The setting quickly changes to night as Aaliyah gets out of the car to perform the chorus on a steamy stage with sparks in the background. During the second verse, Aaliyah is seen dancing with the crowd. Aaliyah returns to the stage with the dancers to perform the chorus again. Timbaland performs his ad libs and Missy Elliott performs her outro.

Track listing

UK 12-inch single

1. "The One I Gave My Heart To" (radio mix) – 3:53
2. "Hot Like Fire" (album version) – 4:23
3. "Hot Like Fire" (Timbaland's Groove mix) – 4:35
4. "Hot Like Fire" (Feel My Horns mix) – 4:35
5. "Hot Like Fire" (instrumental) – 4:19

U.S. double A-side CD single

1. "The One I Gave My Heart To" (radio mix) - 3:53
2. "Hot Like Fire" (album version) - 4:22

U.S. CD maxi single

1. "The One I Gave My Heart To" (radio mix) – 3:53
2. "Hot Like Fire" (album version) – 4:23
3. "Hot Like Fire" (Timbaland's Groove mix) – 4:35
4. "Hot Like Fire" (Feel My Horns mix) – 4:35
5. "Hot Like Fire" (instrumental) – 4:19
6. "Death of a Playa" (featuring Rashad)

U.S. promo 12-inch single

1. "Hot Like Fire" (album version) – 4:23
2. "Hot Like Fire" (Timbaland's Groove mix) – 4:35
3. "Hot Like Fire" (Feel My Horns mix) – 4:35
4. "Hot Like Fire" (instrumental) – 4:19
5. "Hot Like Fire" (Timbaland's Groove mix instrumental) – 4:35
6. "Hot Like Fire" (Feel My Horns mix instrumental) – 4:35

Charts