Heat of the Moment (Asia song): Difference between revisions

"Heat of the Moment"
"Heat of the Moment"
	Cover of the European single
Single by Asia
from the album Asia
B-side	"Time Again" (UK); "Ride Easy" (outside of UK);
Released	April 1982
Genre	Rock
Length	3:50 (album version); 3:25 (single version)
Label	Geffen
Songwriter(s)	John Wetton, Geoff Downes
Producer(s)	Mike Stone
Asia singles chronology
Audio
	"Heat of the Moment" on YouTube

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"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.^[1]

Background

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”.^[2]

B-sides

"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

"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.^[3]

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.^[4]

Track listing

US 7" single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Heat of the Moment"	3:50
2.	"Ride Easy"	4:35

UK 7" single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Heat of the Moment"	3:50
2.	"Time Again"	4:45

Personnel

John Wetton – lead vocals, bass
Geoff Downes – keyboards, backing vocals
Steve Howe – guitar, koto,^[4] backing vocals
Carl Palmer – drums, percussion
Mike Stone – producer, engineer

Chart performance

"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.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Chart (1983)	Peak position
Australian Singles (Kent Music Report)^[8]	26
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[9]	4
French Singles(SNEP)^[10]	39
Italian Singles Chart^[11]	89
Invalid chart entered Netherlands	33
Invalid chart entered Germany4	7
Japanese Singles(Oricon)^[12]	90
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[13]	46
Polish Singles Chart^[14]	6
Radio Luxemburg Singles^[15]	26
South African Singles Chart^[16]	4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[17]	2
Invalid chart entered UKSingles	46
Invalid chart entered BillboardHot100	4
Invalid chart entered BillboardMainstreamRock	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1982)	Position
Canadian RPM Top Singles^[18]	47
German Media Control Charts^[19]	55
Italian Singles Chart^[20]	89
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[21]	40
U.S. Cashbox Top 100^[22]	43

|}

In popular culture

It appears in the TV show Supernatural, episode "Mystery Spot".^[23]
In the 2001 South Park episode Kenny Dies, Cartman sings the song during a speech to the House of Representatives on behalf of stem cell research.
In the 2005 film The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
In the 2005 film The Matador.
On a 2021 episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons sparked controversy when he used "Heat of the Moment" in an argument against Cancel Culture affecting Jim Nantz's call of the 2021 Masters-winning shot by tournament winner Hideki Matsuyama.^[24]

References

^ "The 10 Best Songs by John Wetton". pastemagazine.com. 7 February 2017.
^ "Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia". Kickin' it Old School. May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
^ Roger Dean and Geoff Downes in conversation, Roger Dean YouTube channel
^ ^a ^b Howe, Steve (2021). All My Yesterdays. Omnibus Press. p. 149. ISBN 9781785581793.
^ "List of number-one mainstream rock hits". wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8 ed.). Billboard Publications. p. 35.
^ "allmusic ((( Asia > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Retrieved May 16, 2009.
^ 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.
^ "Asia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
^ "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.
^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
^ "Asia – {{{song}}}". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2012-05-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Ultimate Music Database". Umdmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
^ Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (A)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
^ "Asia – {{{song}}}". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
^ "Offizielle Deutsche CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS". offiziellecharts.de/. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
^ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2012-06-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Supernatural's "Heat Of The Moment" Loop Is A Perfect Groundhog Day Parody". ScreenRant. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
^ "Bill Simmons: Cancel Culture Prevented Jim Nantz From Making A Cheap Racist Quip About Hideki Matsuyama, And That's A Shame". The Defector. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

[1] "The 10 Best Songs by John Wetton". pastemagazine.com. 7 February 2017.

[2] "Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia". Kickin' it Old School. May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2021.

[3] Roger Dean and Geoff Downes in conversation, Roger Dean YouTube channel

[Howe_memoir-4] Howe, Steve (2021). All My Yesterdays. Omnibus Press. p. 149. ISBN 9781785581793.

[5] "List of number-one mainstream rock hits". wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-10-18.

[billboardbook-6] Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8 ed.). Billboard Publications. p. 35.

[allmusic-7] "allmusic ((( Asia > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Retrieved May 16, 2009.

[aus-8] 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.

[sc_Canada_Asia-9] "Asia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 April 2018.

[10] "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.

[11] "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016-10-31.

[JPN-12] Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

[sc_New_Zealand_Asia-13] "Asia – {{{song}}}". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 22 April 2018.

[14] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2012-05-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[15] "Ultimate Music Database". Umdmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.

[16] Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (A)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2016-10-31.

[sc_Switzerland_Asia-17] "Asia – {{{song}}}". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 April 2018.

[18] "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2016-10-31.

[19] "Offizielle Deutsche CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS". offiziellecharts.de/. Retrieved 2020-08-17.

[20] "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1982". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016-10-31.

[21] "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.

[22] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2012-06-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[23] "Supernatural's "Heat Of The Moment" Loop Is A Perfect Groundhog Day Parody". ScreenRant. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-16.

[24] "Bill Simmons: Cancel Culture Prevented Jim Nantz From Making A Cheap Racist Quip About Hideki Matsuyama, And That's A Shame". The Defector. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

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@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ==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>
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-{|class="wikitable sortable"
 |-
-!Chart (1982)
+! Chart (1983)
-! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
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 |-
-|Australian [[Kent Music Report]]<ref name="Kent">{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |year=1993 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Australian Singles ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=19}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|26
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-|Canadian [[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']] Top Singles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6555&volume=36&issue=17&issue_dt=June%2005%201982&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mvd3le5ecktjsfm8c2odk6sps0 |title=RPM Volume 36 No. 17, June 05 1982 - RPM |access-date=16 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214534/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6555&volume=36&issue=17&issue_dt=June%2005%201982&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mvd3le5ecktjsfm8c2odk6sps0 |archive-date=24 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|4
 |-
+!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>
-|[[Dutch Top 40]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=24&jaar=1982 |title=Nederlandse Top 40, week 24, 1982 (in Dutch) |access-date=16 May 2009}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|34
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 |-
-|French Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infodisc.fr/Artistes.php |title=InfoDisc : Bilan des Ventes par Artiste |website=Infodisc.fr |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=2016-10-31}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|39
+| style="text-align:center;"|89
 |-
+{{Single chart|Netherlands|33|artist=Asia|single=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
-|German Media Control Charts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=asia&x=10&y=14&country=de&kategorie=single |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141018162353/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=asia&x=10&y=14&country=de&kategorie=single |archive-date=18 October 2014 |title=charts.de - Asia - Heat Of The Moment (in German) |access-date=27 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|7
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-|[[Irish Singles Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie |title=irishcharts.ie search results |access-date=16 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126040745/http://www.irishcharts.ie/ |archive-date=26 January 2010 }}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|30
 |-
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-|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/aa.htm |title=Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: A |website=Hitparadeitalia.it |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|16
+| align="center"| 90
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-|New Zealand Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Asia&titel=Heat+Of+The+Moment&cat=s |title=Asia - Heat Of The Moment |website=Swedishcharts.com |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|46
 |-
-|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=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>
 | style="text-align:center;"|6
 |-
-|Radio Luxemburg Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=Czech&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Asia&ChSong= |title=Ultimate Music Database |website=Umdmusic.com |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Radio Luxemburg Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=Czech&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Asia&ChSong= |title=Ultimate Music Database |website=Umdmusic.com |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
 | style="text-align:center;"|26
 |-
-|South African Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Currin |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(A).html |title=South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (A) |website=Rock.co.za |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|South African Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Currin |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(A).html |title=South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (A) |website=Rock.co.za |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
 | style="text-align:center;"|4
 |-
+{{Single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Asia|single=Heat of the Moment|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
-|Swiss Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Asia&titel=Heat+Of+The+Moment&cat=s |title=Asia - Heat Of The Moment - hitparade.ch (in German) |access-date=16 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110131752/http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Asia&titel=Heat%2BOf%2BThe%2BMoment&cat=s |archive-date=10 November 2012 }}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|2
 |-
+{{Single chart|UKSingles|46|artist=Asia|single=Heat of the Moment|refname=UK albums|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
-|[[UK Singles Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Maneater |title=The Official Charts Company - Asia - Heat Of The Moment |access-date=16 May 2009}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|46
 |-
+{{Single chart|BillboardHot100|4|artist=Asia|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
-|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="musicvf.com">{{cite web|url=http://musicvf.com/Asia.art |title=Asia Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts |website=Musicvf.com |access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|4
 |-
+{{Single chart|BillboardMainstreamRock|1|artist=Asia|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
-|US [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock]]<ref name="musicvf.com"/>
-| style="text-align:center;"|1
 |}
-{{col-2}}
 ===Year-end charts===

v t e Asia
Geoff Downes Carl Palmer Billy Sherwood Marc Bonilla John Wetton Steve Howe Greg Lake Mandy Meyer Pat Thrall John Payne Al Pitrelli Michael Sturgis Chris Slade Guthrie Govan Jay Schellen Sam Coulson Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Studio albums	Asia Alpha Astra Aqua Aria Arena Rare Aura Silent Nation Phoenix Omega XXX Gravitas
Extended plays	Aurora
Live albums	Fantasia: Live in Tokyo
Compilations	Then & Now Archiva 1 Archiva 2 Anthology Axioms The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982–1990)
Singles	"Heat of the Moment" "Only Time Will Tell" "Sole Survivor" "Don't Cry" "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" "Go" "Days Like These"
Related articles	Discography Members Qango GPS Asia featuring John Payne
Category