THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

864-Hot Chocolate-Brother Louie.

1973-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.12.Between 1970-1980 Hot Chocolate had at least one hit single every year, the only two other acts to match this were Elvis Presley, and Diana Ross.

Hot Chocolate were formed in West Hampstead, London, England in 1968, by Errol Brown MBE (1943-2015,) and Tony Wilson.In 1969 Brown sent a version of ‘Give Peace a Chance’ to Apple records, it was met with John Lennon’s approval, and released as a single on the label, catalogue number ‘Apple 18.’ as ‘The Hot Chocolate Band.’When they signed with ‘RAK’ records it was Micky Most (1938-2003) who changed their name to just Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate were an interracial band (four black members, and two white,) which was very unusual for the time, and it was the two founding members, Brown, and Wilson, who co-wrote Brother Louie.The song tells of an interracial love affair, where both the couples family’s don’t want anything to do with their relationship because of their colour.The song is notable for Cozy Powell (1947-1998,) playing the drums on the track, and Alexis Korner (1928-1984,) providing the spoken word.

In America the song was covered by the Rock band ‘Stories,’ and it got to Number 1 on Billboard in 1973, giving them their only ever hit single.The version by the Stories is one of the top 400 best selling songs ever in America.

‘Ain’t no diff’rence ‘tween black or white, brothers you know what I mean.’