You Can Leave Your Hat On

Joe Cocker version

| B-side = Joe Cocker recorded "You Can Leave Your Hat On" for his 1986 album Cocker. Released as a single, Cocker's version peaked at No. 35 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and it was featured in the 1986 Adrian Lyne film 9½ Weeks during Kim Basinger's striptease scene.

Music video

A music video was released which featured footage of the striptease scene from 9½ Weeks and scenes with Cocker and his band performing the song.

Personnel

• Joe Cocker – lead vocals
• Richie Zito – production, guitar
• Arthur Barrow – keyboards, bass
• Mike Baird – drums
• Dick Hyde – trombone
• Joel Peskin – saxophone
• Steve Madaio – trumpet
• Elisecia Wright – backing vocals
• Julia Tillman Waters – backing vocals
• Maxine Green – backing vocals

Other cover versions

Etta James covered the song in a 1974 single included on the album Etta Is Betta Than Evvah!, published by Chess Records and produced by Gabriel Mekler.

Three Dog Night covered the song in a 1975 single, published by ABC and produced by Jimmy Ienner.

Merl Saunders and Aunt Monk covered it in 1976 on their album You Can Leave Your Hat On.

Tom Jones covered the song for the soundtrack of the 1997 British film The Full Monty, and it is included in the subsequent 2013 play of the same name. As a medley with Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing" and Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff", the track reached Number 62 in the UK Singles Chart in 1998, under the title "The Full Monty – Monster Mix".

American country music singer Ty Herndon covered the song on his 1999 album, Steam. Herndon's version reached No. 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart from unsolicited airplay and was included on his 2002 compilation, This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits.

The 2006 Randy Newman tribute album Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman features a cover on track 11 by Mark Broussard.

Comedy band The Horne Section covered the song for their 2018 special, The Horne Section Television Programme, and for 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown in 2020. During the performance, Alex performs striptease while wearing an enormous top hat that covers his entire body.

References

References

1. (1975). "Randy Newman – Sail Away (Vinyl, LP, Album)". [[Discogs]].
2. (December 9, 1972). "Single Picks".
3. Deming, Mark. "Sail Away – Randy Newman". [[AllMusic]].
4. Lydia Hutchinson. "Happy Birthday, Randy Newman".
5. (1986). "Joe Cocker – You Can Leave Your Hat On (Vinyl)". [[Discogs]].
6. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cocker – Joe Cocker".
7. (1986). "Joe Cocker – Cocker (Vinyl, LP, Album)". [[Discogs]].
8. "Joe Cocker – Billboard Singles". [[AllMusic]].
9. (1974). "Etta James – Leave Your Hat On (1974, Vinyl)".
10. (1975). "Three Dog Night – Coming Down Your Way(1975, Vinyl)".
11. (1976). "Merl Saunders And Aunt Monk – You Can Leave Your Hat On (1976, Vinyl)".
12. "CD Single: Various Artists – The Full Monty Monster Mix [a] You Sexy Thing, [b] Hot Stuff, [c] You Can Leave Your Hat On (1998)".
13. "Steam – Ty Herndon | Songs, Reviews, Credits".
14. "This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits – Ty Herndon | Songs, Reviews, Credits".
15. (7 February 2021). "Alex Strips To Celebrate 10k Subscribers".