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| artist = [[Asia (band)|Asia]]
| artist = [[Asia (band)|Asia]]
| album = [[Asia (Asia album)|Asia]]
| album = [[Asia (Asia album)|Asia]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Time Again" (UK)|"Ride Easy" (outside of UK)}}
| B-side = {{ubl|"Ride Easy" (International)|"Time Again" (UK)}}
| released = April 1982 (US)<br/>June 1982 (UK)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/26/mode/2up|page=26|title=Great Rock discography}}</ref>
| released = April 1982
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| genre =
* [[Pop rock]]<ref name= "Billboard 1982"/><ref name="Smith 2022">{{cite news|first= Troy L. |last= Smith |title= Every No. 1 album of the 1980s ranked from worst to best|website= [[Cleveland.com]] |date= 10 November 2022|access-date= 13 December 2024|url= https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/11/every-no-1-album-of-the-1980s-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|quote= Heat of the Moment” is a monster pop rock track that sets the stage for a larger-than-life album meant to fill stadiums.}}</ref>
| length = 3:50 (album version)<br/> 3:25 (single version)
* [[progressive rock]]<ref name="Goldmine 2024">{{cite web|first= Martin|last= Popoff|title= The Top 20 unlikely Progressive Rock hits, ranked|website= [[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]]| date= January 5, 2024|url= https://www.goldminemag.com/music-history/top-20-unlikely-progressive-rock-hits-ranked|accessdate= January 7, 2024}}</ref>
* [[New wave music|new wave]]<ref name= "Matos 2020">{{cite book|first=Michaelangelo|last=Matos|title=Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year|chapter= Sarm Studios, London: November 25, 1984|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RGLbDwAAQBAJ|date=8 December 2020|publisher=[[Hachette Books]]|isbn=978-0-306-90337-3|page=319}}</ref>
| length = 3:50 (commercial 45 and album version)<br/> 3:25 (DJ single version)
| label = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| label = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| writer = [[John Wetton]], [[Geoff Downes]]
| writer = [[John Wetton]], [[Geoff Downes]]
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| prev_title =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Here Comes the Feeling
| next_title = [[Only Time Will Tell (song)|Only Time Will Tell]]
| next_year = 1982
| next_year = 1982
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|nvdYll1euGU|"Heat of the Moment"}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|nvdYll1euGU|"Heat of the Moment"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''Heat of the Moment'''" is the first single released by English [[progressive rock]] [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Asia (band)|Asia]] from their 1982 [[Asia (Asia album)|eponymous debut album]]. It was written by singer and bass guitarist [[John Wetton]] and keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]]. It was named by Lee Zimmerman of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' as Asia's [[signature song]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 10 Best Songs by John Wetton |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/the-10-best-songs-by-john-wetton.html |website=pastemagazine.com |language=en |date=7 February 2017}}</ref>
"'''Heat of the Moment'''" is the first single released by English [[progressive rock]] [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Asia (band)|Asia]] from their 1982 [[Asia (Asia album)|eponymous debut album]]. It was written by singer and bass guitarist [[John Wetton]] and keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]]. It was named by Lee Zimmerman of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' as Asia's [[signature song]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 10 Best Songs by John Wetton |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/the-10-best-songs-by-john-wetton.html |website=pastemagazine.com |language=en |date=7 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330174241/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/the-10-best-songs-by-john-wetton.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==

Singer John Wetton said,
Singer John Wetton said,


{{blockquote|The lyrics are an abject apology for my dreadful behavior towards a particular woman (the woman I would eventually marry, but divorce 10 years later), the chorus began its life as a 6/8 country song, but when Geoff and I started writing together, we moved the time signatures around, and “Heat of the Moment” emerged. No-one else particularly “got” the song, and it was the last song to be recorded for the album. This was the case with the next two albums (that the last song recorded was to be the first single—I think it’s because Geoff and I are very, very focused by the end of recording) with “Don’t Cry” and “Go”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediscoverthe80s.com/2019/10/interview-with-john-wetton-of-rock-band.html|title=Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia |website= Kickin' it Old School|date=May 1, 2011 |accessdate=August 14, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|The lyrics are an abject apology for my dreadful behavior towards a particular woman (the woman I would eventually marry, but divorce 10 years later), the chorus began its life as a 6/8 country song, but when Geoff and I started writing together, we moved the time signatures around, and "Heat of the Moment" emerged. No-one else particularly "got" the song, and it was the last song to be recorded for the album. This was the case with the next two albums (that the last song recorded was to be the first single—I think it's because Geoff and I are very, very focused by the end of recording) with "Don't Cry" and "Go".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediscoverthe80s.com/2019/10/interview-with-john-wetton-of-rock-band.html|title=Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia |website= Kickin' it Old School|date=May 1, 2011 |accessdate=August 14, 2021}}</ref>}}


==B-sides==
==B-sides==
Line 43: Line 45:


Howe overdubbed his [[Gibson Les Paul Junior]] playing the rhythm guitar power chords in the verses seven times, each through a different amplifier, to get the "grungy" sound he wanted. During the song's [[middle eight]], he doubled Downes' synth lick with a [[koto (instrument)|koto]].<ref name="Howe memoir">{{cite book|last=Howe|first=Steve|authorlink=Steve Howe|title=All My Yesterdays|year=2021|publisher=Omnibus Press|page=149|isbn=9781785581793}}</ref>
Howe overdubbed his [[Gibson Les Paul Junior]] playing the rhythm guitar power chords in the verses seven times, each through a different amplifier, to get the "grungy" sound he wanted. During the song's [[middle eight]], he doubled Downes' synth lick with a [[koto (instrument)|koto]].<ref name="Howe memoir">{{cite book|last=Howe|first=Steve|authorlink=Steve Howe|title=All My Yesterdays|year=2021|publisher=Omnibus Press|page=149|isbn=9781785581793}}</ref>

==Reception==
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' said that "this superstar quartet aims its soaring harmonies and tight arrangement at pop and beyond."<ref name= "Billboard 1982">{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|date=April 17, 1982|accessdate=2023-01-21|page=59|title=Top Single Picks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kiQEAAAAMBAJ}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
;US 7" single
;US 7" single
{{Track listing
{{Tracklist
| title1 = Heat of the Moment
| title1 = Heat of the Moment
| length1 = 3:50
| length1 = 3:50
Line 54: Line 59:


;UK 7" single
;UK 7" single
{{Track listing
{{Tracklist
| title1 = Heat of the Moment
| title1 = Heat of the Moment
| length1 = 3:50
| length1 = 3:50
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* [[Mike Stone (record producer)|Mike Stone]] – producer, engineer
* [[Mike Stone (record producer)|Mike Stone]] – producer, engineer


==Charts==
==Chart performance==
"Heat of the Moment" reached #4 in both the Canadian Singles chart and on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart. The single climbed to the top position on the U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock]] chart, achieving six non-consecutive weeks at #1 in the spring and summer of 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infinitectualacademydotcom.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/list-of-number-one-mainstream-rock-hits-united-states/ |title=List of number-one mainstream rock hits |publisher=wordpress.com |access-date=2013-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826133521/http://infinitectualacademydotcom.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/list-of-number-one-mainstream-rock-hits-united-states/ |archive-date=2013-08-26 }}</ref><ref name=billboardbook>{{cite book |title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |edition=8 |year=2004 |publisher=Billboard Publications |page=35 }}</ref><ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3579/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} |title=allmusic ((( Asia > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) |access-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref>
"Heat of the Moment" reached #4 in both the Canadian Singles chart and on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart. The single climbed to the top position on the U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock]] chart, achieving six non-consecutive weeks at #1 in the spring and summer of 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infinitectualacademydotcom.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/list-of-number-one-mainstream-rock-hits-united-states/ |title=List of number-one mainstream rock hits |publisher=wordpress.com |access-date=2013-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826133521/http://infinitectualacademydotcom.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/list-of-number-one-mainstream-rock-hits-united-states/ |archive-date=2013-08-26 }}</ref><ref name=billboardbook>{{cite book |title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |edition=8 |year=2004 |publisher=Billboard Publications |page=35 }}</ref><ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3579/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} |title=allmusic ((( Asia > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) |access-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref>


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1982)
!Chart (1982-1983)
!Peak<br/>position
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
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| align="center"| 26
| align="center"| 26
|-
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|4|chartid=6555|rowheader=true|access-date=16 February 2021|refname="can"}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|4|chartid=6555|rowheader=true|refname=CAN1|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"| French Singles([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_A.php |website =Infodisc.fr |language=fr |access-date=9 June 2012 |title=Le Détail des Chansons de chaque Artiste – A |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Chanson_A.php |archive-date=22 October 2014 }} ''Select ''Asia'' from the menu, then press ''OK''.''</ref>
!scope="row"| French Singles ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_A.php |website =Infodisc.fr |language=fr |access-date=9 June 2012 |title=Le Détail des Chansons de chaque Artiste – A |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Chanson_A.php |archive-date=22 October 2014 }} ''Select ''Asia'' from the menu, then press ''OK''.''</ref>
| align="center"| 39
| align="center"| 39
|-
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|30|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=8 November 2020}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|30|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm |title=Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982 |website=Hitparadeitalia.it |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm |title=Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982 |website=Hitparadeitalia.it |access-date=May 31, 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|89
| style="text-align:center;"|89
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Singles ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
{{single chart|Dutch40|33|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=8 November 2020}}
| align="center"| 90
|-
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|46|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=16 February 2021|refname="nz"}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|33|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|46|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024|refname="nz"}}
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Polish Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lp3.pl/alpt.phtml?m%3D1%26nn%3D10#navigation |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213220423/http://www.lp3.pl/alpt.phtml?m=1&nn=10 |archive-date=2011-12-13 }}</ref>
!scope="row"|Polish Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lp3.pl/alpt.phtml?m%3D1%26nn%3D10#navigation |title=Archiwum Listy Przebojów Programu Trzeciego |access-date=2012-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213220423/http://www.lp3.pl/alpt.phtml?m=1&nn=10 |archive-date=2011-12-13 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=16 February 2021}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|UK|46|date=19820307|rowheader=true|access-date=20 September 2018|refname="uk"}}
{{single chart|UK|46|date=19820307|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024|refname="uk"}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Asia|rowheader=true|access-date=16 February 2021|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Asia|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024|refname="hot100"}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|1|artist=Asia|rowheader=true|access-date=16 February 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|1|artist=Asia|rowheader=true|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|7|artist=Asia|song=Heat of the Moment|songid=860|rowheader=true|access-date= May 31, 2024}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (1982)
!Chart (1982)
!Peak<br/>position
!Position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|47|chartid=6167|rowheader=true|refname=CAN2|access-date=May 31, 2024}}
|align="left"|Canadian ''RPM'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=etg0falg2hk823f26tcs13s3f3 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=2016-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723001156/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=etg0falg2hk823f26tcs13s3f3 |archive-date=2013-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|47
|-
|-
|German Media Control Charts<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1982 |title=Offizielle Deutsche CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS |website=offiziellecharts.de/ |access-date=2020-08-17}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm |title=Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982 |website=Hitparadeitalia.it |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|55
|-
|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm |title=Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982 |website=Hitparadeitalia.it |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|89
| style="text-align:center;"|89
|-
|-
|[[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1982|US Top Pop Singles (''Billboard'')]]<ref>{{cite journal |date=December 25, 1982 |title=Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles |page=TIA-20 |journal=Billboard |volume=94 |issue=51 }}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''[[Billboard Hot 100]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 25, 1982 |title=Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles |page=TIA-20 |magazine=Billboard |volume=94 |issue=51 }}</ref>
|align="center"|40
|align="center"|40
|-
|-
|U.S. ''Cashbox'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cashboxcountdowns.com/archives/80s_files/1982YESP.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407183337/http://www.cashboxcountdowns.com/archives/80s_files/1982YESP.html |archive-date=2016-04-07 }}</ref>
!scope="row"|U.S. ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cashboxcountdowns.com/archives/80s_files/1982YESP.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407183337/http://www.cashboxcountdowns.com/archives/80s_files/1982YESP.html |archive-date=2016-04-07 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|43
| style="text-align:center;"|43
|-
!scope="row"|West Germany ([[GfK Entertainment Charts|Official German Charts]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1982 |title=Offizielle Deutsche CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS |website=offiziellecharts.de/ |access-date=2020-08-17}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|55
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
Line 138: Line 148:
== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==


* It appears in the TV show [[Supernatural (American TV series)|Supernatural]], episode "Mystery Spot".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/supernatural-heat-of-moment-groundhog-day-parody/|title=Supernatural's "Heat Of The Moment" Loop Is A Perfect Groundhog Day Parody|date=2020-02-28|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>
* It appears in the TV show [[Supernatural (American TV series)|''Supernatural'']], episode "Mystery Spot".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/supernatural-heat-of-moment-groundhog-day-parody/|title=Supernatural's "Heat Of The Moment" Loop Is A Perfect Groundhog Day Parody|date=2020-02-28|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>
* In the 2001 ''[[South Park]]'' episode [[Kenny Dies]], [[Eric Cartman|Cartman]] sings the song during a speech to the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] on behalf of stem cell research.
* In the 2001 ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[Kenny Dies]]", [[Eric Cartman]] sings the song during a speech to the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] on behalf of stem cell research.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.southparkstudios.com/video-clips/hvb02p/south-park-the-heat-of-the-moment |title=The Heat of the Moment |publisher=[[South Park|South Park Studios]] |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
* In the 2005 film ''[[The 40-Year-Old Virgin]]''.
* In the 2005 film ''[[The 40-Year-Old Virgin]]''.
* In the 2005 film ''[[The Matador]]''.
* In the 2005 film ''[[The Matador]]''.
* In the 2007 video game [[Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s|Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80's]], as a cover version made by [[WaveGroup Sound|WaveGroup]].
* On a 2021 episode of his podcast, [[Bill Simmons]] sparked controversy when he used "Heat of the Moment" in an argument against [[Cancel culture|Cancel Culture]] affecting [[Jim Nantz|Jim Nantz's]] call of the [[2021 Masters Tournament|2021 Masters]]-winning shot by tournament winner [[Hideki Matsuyama]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defector.com/bill-simmons-cancel-culture-hideki-matsuyama/|title=Bill Simmons: Cancel Culture Prevented Jim Nantz From Making A Cheap Racist Quip About Hideki Matsuyama, And That’s A Shame|date=2021-04-12|website=[[Defector Media|The Defector]]|language=en-US|access-date=2021-04-13}}</ref>
* The song can be heard in the 2022 [[horror film|horror]] [[thriller film]] [[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]], starring [[Georgina Campbell]], [[Bill Skarsgård]] and [[Justin Long]].


==References==
==References==
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{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Asia (band) songs]]
[[Category:1982 songs]]
[[Category:1982 songs]]
[[Category:1982 debut singles]]
[[Category:1982 debut singles]]
[[Category:Asia (band) songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Godley and Creme]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Godley and Creme]]
[[Category:Songs written by John Wetton]]
[[Category:Songs written by John Wetton]]
[[Category:Songs written by Geoff Downes]]
[[Category:Songs written by Geoff Downes]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike "Clay" Stone]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Stone (record producer)]]
[[Category:Geffen Records singles]]
[[Category:Geffen Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs composed in D-flat major]]
[[Category:British new wave songs]]

Latest revision as of 06:15, 14 December 2024

"Heat of the Moment"
Cover of the European single
Single by Asia
from the album Asia
B-side
  • "Ride Easy" (International)
  • "Time Again" (UK)
ReleasedApril 1982 (US)
June 1982 (UK)[1]
Genre
Length3:50 (commercial 45 and album version)
3:25 (DJ single version)
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)John Wetton, Geoff Downes
Producer(s)Mike Stone
Asia singles chronology
"Heat of the Moment"
(1982)
"Only Time Will Tell"
(1982)
Audio
"Heat of the Moment" on YouTube

"Heat of the Moment" is the first single released by English progressive rock supergroup Asia from their 1982 eponymous debut album. It was written by singer and bass guitarist John Wetton and keyboardist Geoff Downes. It was named by Lee Zimmerman of Paste as Asia's signature song.[6]

Background

[edit]

Singer John Wetton said,

The lyrics are an abject apology for my dreadful behavior towards a particular woman (the woman I would eventually marry, but divorce 10 years later), the chorus began its life as a 6/8 country song, but when Geoff and I started writing together, we moved the time signatures around, and "Heat of the Moment" emerged. No-one else particularly "got" the song, and it was the last song to be recorded for the album. This was the case with the next two albums (that the last song recorded was to be the first single—I think it's because Geoff and I are very, very focused by the end of recording) with "Don't Cry" and "Go".[7]

B-sides

[edit]

"Time Again" is the B-side of the U.K. release. The song was written by all the band members, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton, and can also be found on the Asia album.

"Ride Easy" is the B-side of the singles released outside of the United Kingdom. This song was written by Wetton and Howe. It was never given a regular release on a studio album, but it was included in the EP Aurora (1986), released only in Japan. It was released on CD on The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) (2000).

Development

[edit]

"Heat of the Moment" was the last song recorded for the album. John Kalodner of Geffen asked the band for a single: Wetton had an idea for the chorus and Downes had an idea that made the verse and they wrote the song in an afternoon. The line "You catch a pearl and ride the dragon's wings" was inspired by Roger Dean's artwork for the album.[8]

Howe overdubbed his Gibson Les Paul Junior playing the rhythm guitar power chords in the verses seven times, each through a different amplifier, to get the "grungy" sound he wanted. During the song's middle eight, he doubled Downes' synth lick with a koto.[9]

Reception

[edit]

Billboard said that "this superstar quartet aims its soaring harmonies and tight arrangement at pop and beyond."[2]

Track listing

[edit]
US 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Heat of the Moment"3:50
2."Ride Easy"4:35
UK 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Heat of the Moment"3:50
2."Time Again"4:45

Personnel

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Charts

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"Heat of the Moment" reached #4 in both the Canadian Singles chart and on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single climbed to the top position on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, achieving six non-consecutive weeks at #1 in the spring and summer of 1982.[10][11][12]

Weekly charts

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References

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  1. ^ "Great Rock discography". p. 26.
  2. ^ a b "Top Single Picks". Billboard. April 17, 1982. p. 59. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  3. ^ Smith, Troy L. (10 November 2022). "Every No. 1 album of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 13 December 2024. Heat of the Moment" is a monster pop rock track that sets the stage for a larger-than-life album meant to fill stadiums.
  4. ^ Popoff, Martin (January 5, 2024). "The Top 20 unlikely Progressive Rock hits, ranked". Goldmine. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (8 December 2020). "Sarm Studios, London: November 25, 1984". Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year. Hachette Books. p. 319. ISBN 978-0-306-90337-3.
  6. ^ "The 10 Best Songs by John Wetton". pastemagazine.com. 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia". Kickin' it Old School. May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  8. ^ Roger Dean and Geoff Downes in conversation, Roger Dean YouTube channel
  9. ^ a b Howe, Steve (2021). All My Yesterdays. Omnibus Press. p. 149. ISBN 9781785581793.
  10. ^ "List of number-one mainstream rock hits". wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  11. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8 ed.). Billboard Publications. p. 35.
  12. ^ "allmusic ((( Asia > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  13. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 19. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  14. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6555." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  15. ^ "Le Détail des Chansons de chaque Artiste – A". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012. Select Asia from the menu, then press OK.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heat of the Moment". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  17. ^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  19. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Asia" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "Asia – Heat of the Moment". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Archiwum Listy Przebojów Programu Trzeciego". Archived from the original on 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2012-05-27.
  22. ^ "Ultimate Music Database". Umdmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
  23. ^ Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (A)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
  24. ^ "Asia – Heat of the Moment". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  26. ^ "Asia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "Asia Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  28. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Asia – Heat of the Moment" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  29. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6167." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  30. ^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
  31. ^ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 51. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-20.
  32. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2012-06-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS". offiziellecharts.de/. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  34. ^ "Supernatural's "Heat Of The Moment" Loop Is A Perfect Groundhog Day Parody". ScreenRant. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  35. ^ "The Heat of the Moment". South Park Studios. Retrieved 24 April 2022.