Lost Tina Turner song rediscovered after 40 years – with track set to be released 19 months after iconic singer’s death
A previously lost Tina Turner song is set to be released for the first time, nearly two years after the legendary singer’s death.
Hot For You Baby, originally intended for Turner’s breakthrough 1984 album Private Dancer, has been rediscovered after lying dormant for 40 years.
The track was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood but was ultimately left off the album in favour of other hits like What’s Love Got To Do With It.
The song will receive its first public play on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show with Mark Goodier on Thursday morning.
The newly discovered track was written by Australian composing duo George Young and Harry Vanda, with production by John Carter, who had worked on the Private Dancer album.
The song had previously been recorded by Scottish-Australian singer John Paul Young in 1979, though his version failed to make a significant impact.
Mark Goodier, currently hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show, praised the discovery: “To have something new to hear from Tina Turner is a treat for fans of all generations and a reminder of her unique talent.”
The track will be released on March 21 as part of a special anniversary edition.
The newly unearthed track features Turner’s distinctive raspy vocals and a thumping bass line, capturing her signature energetic style.
“I’ve been sitting here for the last few hours, looking at you,” Turner sings in the opening lines, before launching into the chorus.
The song showcases Turner’s raw energy with raunchy lyrics including: “I’m hot for you baby, I want to love you all night long”.
It’s described as an up-tempo rocker, complete with showboating guitar chords and an “extremely 1980s cowbell”.
Though considered for Private Dancer, which went on to sell more than 10 million copies, the track was ultimately left off the final album.
The 40th anniversary edition of Private Dancer will include a wealth of previously unreleased material across five CDs and a Blu-ray.
A highlight is a 55-minute concert film from Turner’s Private Dancer Tour, recorded at Birmingham’s NEC over two nights in March 1985.
The footage, directed by David Mallet, features special guest appearances by David Bowie and Bryan Adams.
The collection also includes five upgraded music videos, with the “Private Dancer” video fully restored to HD from its original 35mm film.
The anniversary package features insights from songwriter Holly Knight, former Strictly judge Dame Arlene Phillips and The Human League’s Martyn Ware in the liner notes.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson shares anxiety struggle as speculation over relationship swirlsSting, 73, sparks concern among fans as health woes force singer to cancel gigs at last-minuteJudi Dench, 90, ‘unable to leave the house alone’ as actress delivers heartbreaking health update
Turner was a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won 12 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career.
She received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, along with three Grammy Hall of Fame awards for her hit songs.
Her life story was dramatised in the 1993 film What’s Love Got To Do With It, which earned Oscar nominations for Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett.
Tina: The Musical, depicting her journey from humble beginnings to rock stardom, has been running in London’s West End since 2018.
Turner passed away in May 2023 at age 83 in Switzerland, where she lived with her second husband, music producer Erwin Bach.