Gene Watson’s “Love in the Hot Afternoon” and its Inspiration

“Love in the Hot Afternoon” is a song by composers Vince Matthews and Kent Westbury. American country music artist Gene Watson made the first recording of the track. Released in May 1975, it was the second single and title track from the album Love in the Hot Afternoon. On the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, it hit the 3^rd spot. This gave Gene his first top 40 and first top 10 hit on the said chart.

The Story of “Love in the Hot Afternoon”

In 1975, Gene Watson’s signature hit shares the most sensual story in a song. “Love in the Hot Afternoon” vividly illustrates a passionate encounter on a “Hot Afternoon”. In that afternoon, a “Bourbon Street lady” casually meets a guy. Watson sadly notes that this woman is no longer full of mystery once the deed is done. However, that first meeting does not stop them from getting high in the park. Eventually, they go at it for another round and who cares what happens next.

Other Covers

Two years after Gene Watson released the song, an American contralto pop music singer made her female version. Vicki Lawrence reversed the gender in the “Love in the Hot Afternoon” as a promotional single on Private Stock Records. In 2010, it was covered by Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Matt Sweeney for the Adult Swim Singles Program.

The Artist

Country fans remember Gene Watson. Plus, his diehard fans can likely sing the lyrics to many of his tunes. Because of these, he became so popular on country radio. Watson’s stardom did not stop there as he has had several number one hit on the national charts. In addition to his chart-toppers, Watson has accumulated 23 top ten songs. Moreover, he has charted over 75 tracks. Not bad, at all, for a boy from a small town in Texas. His most popular songs are: “Fourteen Carat Mind”, “Paper Rosie”, “Where Love Begins”, “Should I Go Home (or Should I Go Crazy)”, “Nothing Sure Looked Good on You”, and “Farewell Party”.

Four years after since 2010, Watson released the 11-track CD of classic country music. In “My Heroes Have Always Been Country”, Gene Watson covered hits by his musical idols—Merle Haggard, Ray, Price and Lefty Frizzell. After that, Watson released a gospel album, “My Gospel Roots”. The album features hymns he grew up singing in church—released on December 8, 2017.