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"Hot n Cold"
Perry holding a slice of watermelon near her face
Single by Katy Perry
from the album One of the Boys
ReleasedSeptember 9, 2008 (2008-09-09)
RecordedDecember 2007
Studio
Genre
Length3:40
LabelCapitol
Songwriters
ProducerDr. Luke
Katy Perry singles chronology
"I Kissed a Girl"
(2008) 		"Hot n Cold"
(2008) 		"Thinking of You"
(2009)
Music video
"Hot n Cold" on YouTube

"Hot n Cold" is a song by American singer Katy Perry from her second studio album, One of the Boys (2008). She and Max Martin co-wrote the song with its producer Dr. Luke, with additional production from Benny Blanco. The track was recorded in December 2007 at Dr. Luke's Studios and Legacy Recordings, both based in New York City, New York, and Conway Recording Studios, based in Hollywood, Los Angeles. "Hot n Cold" was released as the album's second single on September 9, 2008, and was the first single to be released after the album. "Hot n Cold" is primarily a pop and dance-pop record, and its lyrics address an unstable romantic relationship caused by a partner's mood swings.

"Hot n Cold" charted at number one in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland as well as the top five in Australia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It additionally was certified diamond in Brazil and Australia and multi-platinum in Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Hot n Cold" is one of eight songs by Perry to sell over 4 million digital copies in the US, the others being "I Kissed a Girl", "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T.", "Dark Horse" and "Roar".

To promote "Hot n Cold", Perry marked the song's live debut with a performance on NBC's Today. She also performed the song at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. The song's music video, which was directed by Alan Ferguson, was released on October 1, 2008, and features Perry as a bride who is about to marry her fiancé, who experiences a daydream in which she pursues him after he flees from the wedding. "Hot n Cold" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Perry has also performed the song on the Hello Katy Tour, the California Dreams Tour, the Prismatic World Tour, and Witness: The Tour.

The song has been included in games such as The Sims 2: Apartment Life and the first Just Dance, and shows such as MasterChef Australia and RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, alongside Perry's concert film The Prismatic World Tour Live. A parody of the song was planned to appear in Sesame Street, but the segment was left unaired due to controversy relating to Perry's cleavage, although it still released on Perry's YouTube channel before the controversy. The incident would later be referenced by Perry herself on Saturday Night Live, where she also appeared as a musical guest.

Background and composition

[edit]

"Hot n Cold" was written by Perry, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin and produced by Dr. Luke with an additional production from Benny Blanco. It was recorded in December 2007 in three studios: Dr. Luke's Studios in New York City, Conway Recording Studio in Hollywood, California, and Legacy Recording Studios in New York City. It was mixed in MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach.[1] The collaboration between Perry and Dr. Luke was set up by record executives at Capitol Records, who felt that One of the Boys was lacking an "undeniable smash or two", and the two co-wrote "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold" as a result.[2] Perry revealed that the song was originally considered for release as the album's first single, before "I Kissed a Girl" was chosen.[3]

"Hot n Cold" is a pop and dance-pop song which utilizes guitars and synthesizers.[4][5][6] It has a length of three minutes and forty seconds (3:40),[7] and runs at a moderately fast tempo of 132 beats per minute in the key of G major.[8] The lyrics of the song address a lover of Perry whose mood swings are affecting the couple's relationship. The song opens with Perry confronting her former partner over his frequent changes of mind, singing "You change your mind like a girl changes clothes / Yeah you PMS / Like a bitch, I would know". In the chorus, she uses antonyms to describe her partner's mood changes, with the chorus of the song including the lines, "You're hot then you're cold / You're yes then you're no / You're in then you're out / You're up then you're down".[9]

Critical reception

[edit]

Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy gave the song three out of five stars, saying "this track doesn't live up to the hype surrounding its singer, but the choppy guitars and whooshing synths have a certain charm."[4] In his review for musicOMH, Darren Harvey called "Hot n Cold" a "Tiffany-style '80s pop number".[5] ChartAttack noted the "frenetic dance-pop" of the track.[6] In a less positive review, Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine criticized the song, saying "Perry confuses political incorrectness with being subversive on tracks like 'Hot n Cold', in which she, in the process of skewering guys who change their minds 'like girls change clothes', just winds up sounding mildly sexist."[10] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times compared the song to "U + Ur Hand" by Pink, which was also produced by Dr. Luke, saying that it does not share the latter's "passion".[11] Lizzie Ennever of BBC felt the track was not "the most single-worthy song".[12] The Guardian wrote that the song "didn't seem to capture the public's imagination" the way her previous single "I Kissed a Girl" did.[13] The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards,[14] but lost to Beyoncé's "Halo".[15]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Hot n Cold" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 on the chart dated July 5, 2008, due to strong digital downloads after the album's release, falling off the chart the next week. It re-entered the Hot 100 on August 23, again at number 88. The song peaked at number three on the Hot 100 on November 22, making it her second top-three hit after "I Kissed a Girl". "Hot n Cold" was in the top ten for 18 weeks, spending more time in the top ten than Perry's previous single "I Kissed a Girl", which spent 14 weeks. The song was also a bigger radio hit than "I Kissed a Girl", becoming Perry's first number one on both US Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 radio charts. It remained in the Hot 100 for a total of 39 weeks.[16] As of August 2020, "Hot n Cold" has been certified eight times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)[17] and sold 5.8 million copies in the United States, making it Perry's sixth best-selling single in the country.[18]

In Canada, the song debuted at number 73 and reached the number one position on the chart on November 20.[19] It was later certified nine times platinum.[20] The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart on December 7,[21] and was certified double platinum.[22] "Hot n Cold" debuted on the German Singles Chart at number two due to strong digital download sales, before topping the chart and spending eight consecutive weeks at number one in Germany.[23] In Australia, the single debuted in the top 50, before reaching its peak at number four. It has since been certified eight times platinum in the country.[24] The song peaked at number one in the Czech Republic and spent ten consecutive weeks at the top of the chart.[25] "Hot n Cold" reached the number one position in Denmark, later being certified two-times-platinum,[26] and hit number one in Austria before being certified platinum.[27]

Music video

[edit]
Perry corners Alexander leading a zebra on a leash, before he awakens from his daydream

The video begins with Perry at a wedding, about to exchange vows with her diffident fiancé Alexander (played by actor/model Alexander Francis Rodriguez). Perry says her vows, but Alexander hesitates and the church anxiously waits for him to say "I do". Perry appears frustrated and the music begins to play, with the congregation dancing as disco lights flash. Perry begins to sing the song to Alexander before he flees the altar. She pursues him, and they proceed to play a cat-and-mouse game. Perry corners him in a warehouse, and Alexander is pulled into an audience and forced to crowd-surf while watching Perry perform the song on stage. He manages to escape but walks out to find Perry in her wedding dress surrounded by several other brides carrying baseball bats. Perry confronts him, but he is able to get away.

Perry and the other brides chase after him. When Alexander pulls out his phone, Perry is on the screen singing to him. He flees the warehouse and finds Perry outside wearing urban clothing, surrounded by dancers dressed similarly. When he turns around, he discovers that he has been cornered by Perry and the group of angry brides. He stumbles and the dancers surround him as he lies on the ground, before Perry approaches him leading a zebra on a leash. Alexander blinks and finds himself back at the altar in the church, revealing that the previous events were just a daydream. The priest asks him again if he accepts his vows, and this time he says "I do". The crowd in the church breaks out into cheers and sighs of relief as Perry runs victoriously down the aisle with him.

Perry's friends Jadyn Maria and Shannon Woodward appear in the music video as bridesmaids, and her parents Keith and Mary Hudson also make cameos.[28][29] The video for "Hot n Cold" was recorded in Los Angeles in September 2008 and released on October 1, 2008.[30] It was directed by Alan Ferguson. Rolling Stone described the music video as "a colorful cat-and-mouse chase that's equal parts goofy and glam."[31] Capital FM wrote that the video "had us in stitches".[32] The music video reached over 1 billion views on YouTube as of November 2020.[33]

Live performances

[edit]
Perry performing "Hot n Cold" during Prismatic World Tour

Perry made the live television premiere performance of "Hot n Cold" on NBC's Today on August 29, 2008.[34] Perry performed the song live at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool, which she also hosted, on November 6 to close the show.[35] The song was also performed as the opener at the 2008 YouTube Live event on November 22, 2008.[36] She performed the song with Taylor Swift at the Staples Center show during the Fearless Tour on April 15, 2010.[37] Perry also included the song in the setlists for the Hello Katy Tour, the California Dreams Tour, and The Prismatic World Tour. During the California Dreams Tour, Perry performed a "magic trick" that involved her changing into 7 different outfits during the number.[38] Perry performed the song on her The Prismatic World Tour in a slow jazz version with her dressing in a pink-catsuit with her dancers dressed in a similar way.[39] It was also part of the setlist of Perry's Witness: The Tour in a medley with "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)", a song from her album Teenage Dream.[40] This song will once again be on her setlist for The Lifetimes Tour (2025).

Usage in media

[edit]

The song made its digital debut in the expansion pack of the popular video game, The Sims 2: Apartment Life, released in 2008. Perry lent her voice to record a special version of the track in "Simlish", the fictional language of The Sims universe. This unique rendition of the song can be heard on the in-game radio station, adding a touch of mainstream music to the Sims' everyday virtual life. The song (named the "Chick Version" specifically) was also used in a dance routine for the video game Just Dance, which is part of the music video game series of the same name.[41][42] The installment is specifically the first in the series, and her music would later appear in 9 more installments from the main series.

Perry filmed a performance of a version of the song with puppet character Elmo from the educational children's program Sesame Street, which was intended to teach children about antonyms. The clip was originally scheduled to run during the Sesame Street episode "Abby Tries & Tries Again" on December 31, 2010, however, the performance, which was uploaded to YouTube earlier, garnered controversy over the amount of cleavage Perry had on display in the video. Before the scheduled airing, Sesame Workshop announced that after controversy over the clip, "We have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on YouTube."[43] Perry mocked the controversy shortly afterward in a skit during her appearance on Saturday Night Live as a musical guest, wearing an Elmo-themed shirt which showed large amounts of cleavage.[44]

The song is used as the theme music for MasterChef Australia and its associated TV ads.[45] "Hot n Cold" was also used as the Lip Sync for Your Life song on the fifth episode of the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under in 2023, between contestants Ashley Madison and Bumpa Love.[46]

Track listing

[edit]

CD Single[47]

  1. "Hot n Cold" (Album Version) – 3:40
  2. "Hot n Cold" (Instrumental) – 3:40
  3. "Hot n Cold" (A Cappella) – 3:34
  4. "Hot n Cold" (Rock Mix) – 3:41
  5. "Hot n Cold" (Innerpartysystem Remix) – 4:40
  6. "Hot n Cold" (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit) – 3:50
  7. "Hot n Cold" (Manhattan Clique Radio Edit) – 3:54
  8. "Hot n Cold" (Jason Nevins Radio Edit) – 3:57

Remixes

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from One of the Boys album liner notes.[1]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Hot n Cold"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[24] 10× Platinum 700,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[27] Platinum 30,000*
Belgium (BRMA)[152] Gold  
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[153] Diamond 250,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[154]
Rock-Version 		Platinum 60,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[20] Diamond 800,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[26] 2× Platinum 30,000^
Finland⁠[155] 2× Platinum  
France — 142,500[a]
Germany (BVMI)[157] 3× Gold 450,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[158] Platinum 70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[159] 3× Platinum 90,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[160] 3× Platinum 180,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[161] Platinum 60,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[162] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] 3× Platinum 1,800,000[b]
United States (RIAA)[17] 8× Platinum 8,000,000‡
Ringtone
Canada (Music Canada)[164] 2× Platinum 80,000*
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[165] Platinum 2,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Hot n Cold"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
United States September 9, 2008 Contemporary hit radio Original Capitol [166]
September 29, 2008 Rhythmic contemporary radio [167]
October 7, 2008 Hot adult contemporary radio [168]
Germany November 21, 2008 CD Universal [169]
United Kingdom November 24, 2008 Virgin [170]
Various Digital EP Remixes Capitol [171]
France December 14, 2008 CD Original EMI [172]

Cover versions

[edit]

Woe, Is Me version

[edit]
"Hot 'n Cold"
Single by Woe, Is Me
from the album Punk Goes Pop Volume 03.
ReleasedOctober 21, 2010
Recorded2010
GenreMetalcore
Length3:08
LabelRise, Velocity, distributed through Fearless
Songwriters
ProducerCameron Mizell
Woe, Is Me singles chronology
"Hot 'n Cold"
(2010) 		"[&] Delinquents"
(2011)

Atlanta-based metalcore band, Woe, Is Me covered the track for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop Volume 03., which was released on November 2, 2010. The song was leaked on October 6, 2010, and was officially released as a single for digital download on October 21, 2010.[173] MTV News described the band's cover as "50 percent faithful to the original and..... 50 percent punishing, metal and gravel-throated growls. It must be heard to be believed."[174] The band would later cover another Katy Perry song, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)", on the fourth volume, their cover being released as a single too.

The Baseballs version

[edit]

"Hot n Cold" was covered by the German rockabilly cover band The Baseballs in 2009 from their debut album Strike!.[175] Their cover charted in the band's home country of Germany, as well as in Finland and Switzerland.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Germany (GfK)[176] 68
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[177] 7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[178] 52

Other cover versions

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hot n Cold

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Hot n Cold" is a song by American , serving as the second single from her second studio album, (2008), released on September 9, 2008, by . Co-written and produced by Perry alongside and , the track is an upbeat number characterized by its catchy chorus and lyrics depicting the emotional turmoil of a romantic relationship marked by a partner's indecisiveness and mood swings. The song's creation stemmed from Perry's personal experiences with unreliable relationships, with Martin and contributing to its infectious melody and synth-driven production during sessions for , which marked Perry's major-label breakthrough following her 2001 gospel album Katy Hudson. Lyrically, it contrasts phrases like "you're hot then you're cold" to highlight relational hot-and-cold behavior, blending humor and frustration in a style that propelled Perry's transition from niche to mainstream pop stardom. Commercially, "Hot n Cold" became one of Perry's signature hits, debuting on the at number 88 and eventually peaking at number three while spending 39 weeks on the chart. It topped the Billboard Pop Songs airplay chart and reached number one in over 15 countries, including , , and the , driven by strong digital sales exceeding 8 million units in the United States alone, earning an 8× Platinum certification from the RIAA on August 7, 2019. The official , directed by Alan Ferguson and released on October 13, 2008, features in a wedding-themed where she humorously pursues her hesitant groom through chaotic scenarios, amassing over 1.3 billion views on as of 2025 and solidifying the song's visual iconography. "Hot n Cold" has since been covered by artists like The Glee Cast and sampled in various media, enduring as a cultural touchstone for Perry's early career and pop's exploration of relational dynamics.

Production and release

Background and writing

began collaborating with producer (Lukasz Gottwald) and songwriter in 2007 during sessions for her major-label debut album, . This partnership yielded several tracks for the album, including the co-written "Hot n Cold," which became one of Perry's signature hits. The collaboration marked a pivotal shift for Perry, blending her lyric-driven approach with and Martin's expertise in crafting melody-focused pop structures. The song's creation occurred in Dr. Luke's West Twenty-first Street studio in , where the team developed ideas through iterative sessions that often combined live with electronic elements. Initial demos began as concise "appetizer-sized" musical beds, allowing Perry to test lyrical concepts before expanding into full arrangements. Inspiration for "Hot n Cold" stemmed from Perry's observations of inconsistent relationships, particularly her experience with an ex-boyfriend whose affections fluctuated unpredictably; she later reflected, "One day he would be all interested and then I would just lose him... I didn’t know what was wrong with him." The chorus evolved to center on the repetitive "hot and cold," transforming a playful pop conceit into a pointed commentary on emotional volatility in romance. This development emphasized the song's core theme through catchy, anthemic repetition, refining the demo's raw energy into a polished track that highlighted relational instability. The final structure captured the push-pull dynamic, with contributing the titular phrase as the song's infectious anchor.

Recording and composition

The recording of "Hot n Cold" took place in late 2007 across multiple studios, including 's personal studio in , Legacy Recording Studio in New York, and in Hollywood, . These sessions were overseen by producer (Lukasz Gottwald) and wrapped up in time for the track's inclusion on Katy Perry's second studio album, , which was released in June 2008. Dr. Luke handled the primary production, with additional production contributions from . Dr. Luke also performed on bass and guitar, while the drums were programmed by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco, creating a driving, upbeat that underpins the song's energetic feel. The production style emphasizes programmed electronic percussion and synthesizers, hallmarks of Dr. Luke's approach to crafting polished pop tracks. Composed in the key of at a of 132 beats per minute, "Hot n Cold" follows a conventional verse-chorus form common in , blending rock-infused guitar elements with electronic production for a fusion of pop-rock and . The bridge incorporates layered vocals from , enhancing the track's dynamic shifts and vocal texture. This composition represented Perry's full pivot to mainstream pop, building on her earlier background where she had released an album as Katy Hudson in 2001.

Single release

"Hot n Cold" was released as the second single from Katy Perry's debut major-label album on September 9, 2008, through . The track was made available initially as a digital download, with radio airplay commencing on September 15, 2008. Formats included digital download, , and promotional vinyl releases. In , the single was released digitally in late September 2008, followed by the on November 21, 2008; remixed versions were also prepared for international markets to suit regional preferences. The release strategy leveraged the substantial buzz generated by the success of Perry's preceding single "I Kissed a Girl," positioning "Hot n Cold" to sustain her rising profile. This rollout aligned with early planning for Perry's inaugural headlining , announced in November 2008.

Music and lyrics

Musical elements

"Hot n Cold" has a duration of 3:40, is composed in the key of , and maintains a of 132 beats per minute (BPM). The song follows a conventional pop structure: intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-outro, with a pre-chorus section that builds tension through ascending melodic lines. Instrumentation centers on electric guitar riffs that drive the verses and chorus, complemented by programmed drums, bass synths, and synthesizers for an electronic texture. Katy Perry's lead vocals, classified in the mezzo-soprano range spanning D4 to D5 for this track, incorporate auto-tune effects to enhance pitch precision and add a polished, modern sheen. The production, influenced by Dr. Luke's style, blends these elements seamlessly. Classified as with rock elements, the track features an anthemic chorus that contrasts with its minimalist verses, emphasizing catchy hooks and rhythmic drive over complex arrangements.

Themes and interpretation

The core theme of "Hot n Cold" revolves around emotional inconsistency in romantic partners, portrayed through metaphors of extremes that symbolize sudden shifts between passion and detachment. The lyrics depict a relationship plagued by unpredictability, where one partner's alternates with rejection, creating and for the narrator. Key lines in the chorus, such as "You're hot then you're cold / You're yes then you're no / You're in then you're out / You're up then you're down," illustrate this bipolar-like , emphasizing the erratic of the partner's commitment. In the verses, Perry contrasts moments of apparent devotion—such as planning a future together—with abrupt withdrawals, like canceling commitments or sending mixed signals via text messages, heightening the sense of relational whiplash. Perry drew from a personal experience with an ex-boyfriend who exhibited such inconsistency, describing how one day he would express enthusiasm, only to vanish the next, which she attributed to possible mood swings or indecision. The song serves as a commentary on modern dating indecision, capturing the exasperation of navigating ambiguous signals in contemporary relationships. Perry intended it as a humorous yet relatable pop , allowing the frustration to "spill out" in an upbeat track that resonates with listeners facing similar relational turbulence. Over time, perceptions have evolved from viewing it as a 2008 anthem to recognizing its portrayal of toxic dynamics, including cycles of dysfunction that mirror patterns in unstable partnerships.

Promotion

Music video

The music video for "Hot n Cold" was directed by Alan Ferguson and premiered on October 1, 2008. Filmed in various locations across , it stars as a whose indecisive fiancé embodies the song's themes of relational inconsistency and emotional volatility. The production featured extensive , multiple changes for Perry, and to create a visual for the "hot n cold" dynamic through escalating and genre-blending elements. The video's centers on a infused with horror tropes, placing Perry in the bride role to dramatize the chaos of a flaky partner who repeatedly wavers in commitment. This narrative approach amplifies the song's portrayal of bipolar relationship behavior, transforming lyrical frustration into a high-energy pursuit filled with comedic and twists. Production emphasized Perry's versatility as a performer, with her rapid outfit shifts—from bridal gown to nurse uniform, schoolgirl attire, and punk ensemble—symbolizing the groom's shifting moods during the chase sequences. In the storyline, arrives at ready to exchange vows, but her fiancé, portrayed by Alexander Rodriguez, hesitates and bolts from the church, prompting Perry and her bridesmaids to give chase across the city. The pursuit unfolds through diverse settings like a and , accompanied by synchronized routines that heighten the . Returning to the reception, the guests morph into zombie-like figures, leading to a climactic horror-comedy showdown where Perry wields a in a final, over-the-top confrontation with the groom, underscoring the video's blend of romance, pursuit, and mayhem.

Live performances

"Hot n Cold" was performed by as the closing act at the in , , where she also served as host. The featured prominently in her throughout 2009, appearing in over half of the shows, including a rendition at the in on August 29, 2009. During the tour, Perry incorporated dynamic elements like quick costume changes to match the 's theme of inconstancy. In the from 2014 to 2015, "Hot n Cold" was reimagined as a slow version, with donning a alongside similarly attired dancers, leading into a medley with "International Smile." The performance highlighted the tour's emphasis on theatrical and visual spectacle. Perry delivered the song on television during her appearance on with in 2008. It also appeared in her Las Vegas residency "Play" at starting in 2021, where it was part of a nostalgic segment featuring early hits from her 2008 album. In later tours, such as the 2025 Lifetimes Tour, the track was adapted into a medley with "Last Friday Night," emphasizing high-energy choreography and audience interaction. Acoustic renditions of "Hot n Cold" were featured in radio sessions, including a stripped-down version for Z100 in 2008, showcasing Perry's in a more intimate setting. These adaptations underscored the song's versatility across various live formats, from arena spectacles to smaller venue performances.

Commercial performance

Chart success

"Hot n Cold" achieved significant chart success globally following its release as the second single from Katy Perry's album . In the United States, the song peaked at number three on the for the week ending November 22, 2008, marking Perry's second top-five hit after "". It spent a total of 39 weeks on the Hot 100, with 18 weeks in the top ten, and its entry and climb were bolstered by strong digital download sales following the album's June 2008 release, aligning with Billboard's inclusion of digital components in the chart methodology since 2005. The track also topped the Billboard Pop Songs airplay chart, becoming Perry's first number-one there. Internationally, "Hot n Cold" reached number one in 12 countries, including , , , , , , the , , , and . In , it topped the Canadian Hot 100 for 2 weeks and charted for 56 weeks overall. Germany's Official German Charts saw the song debut at number two before ascending to number one for eight weeks, with a 41-week run driven by robust digital sales and airplay. In Ireland, it peaked at number three on the and charted for 27 weeks. The song's performance in other major markets included a peak of number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it resided for 41 weeks, benefiting from the momentum of "I Kissed a Girl," which had topped the chart earlier that year. In , it reached number four on the ARIA Singles Chart and charted for 38 weeks. Across , strong airplay contributed to its number-one status on the European Top 100 Airplay chart, extending its trajectory into early amid holiday season radio rotation. The single's overall chart longevity was enhanced by Perry's rising popularity from her debut hit and sustained radio support during the 2008-2009 holiday period.

Sales and certifications

"Hot n Cold" has achieved significant commercial success, with certified sales reflecting both physical and digital consumption as well as streaming equivalents. , the single was certified 8× by the RIAA on August 7, 2019, in recognition of 8 million units sold, including downloads and streams. , the track sold 5.8 million digital downloads by the early 2010s, contributing to its enduring popularity. In the 2020s, renewed interest through social media platforms like drove additional streaming activity, helping it reach over 1 billion streams on by late 2024. Internationally, "Hot n Cold" earned 3× Platinum certification from the BPI in the on October 17, 2025, equivalent to 1.8 million units consumed. In , it received a Diamond certification from in 2024 for 160,000 units, with figures adjusted to include . The song's strong performance further propelled its sales, making it a key driver for the album , which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Reception and legacy

Critical reviews

Upon its release in 2008, "Hot n Cold" received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its infectious energy and pop craftsmanship as part of Katy Perry's major-label debut album . highlighted the track as a standout hit, commending its catchy hooks and Perry's playful blend of pop and rock elements that captured her emerging persona. offered a more mixed assessment in its album review, describing the song as solid pop-rock but noting Perry's songwriting as underdeveloped and overly reliant on teen-oriented formulas. The song earned notable accolades, including a nomination for Best Female Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, recognizing its visual and musical impact. In Billboard's 2023 list of the 500 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time, "Hot n Cold" was ranked among the era's most enduring hits, underscoring its lasting appeal in pop history. Retrospective critiques by 2025 have lauded "Hot n Cold" as an empowering breakup anthem, evoking late-1980s pop influences through its guitar-heavy mix and themes of relational inconsistency. Overall, critics widely regard "Hot n Cold" as Perry's breakthrough hit, solidifying her quirky, sassy persona in mainstream pop.

Cultural impact

The song "Hot n Cold" has left a significant mark on popular culture, appearing in various films and television shows that amplified its themes of relational inconsistency. It featured on the soundtrack of the 2009 , where it underscored scenes of romantic tension between leads and . Similarly, the track appeared in the film American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009), enhancing comedic moments of youthful awkwardness, and in the family-oriented Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), adapted into a chipmunk-style rendition to appeal to younger audiences. On television, it played in the 2009 episode "Slow Burn" of , complementing supernatural drama with its energetic pop vibe. These placements helped embed the song in mainstream entertainment, exposing its catchy critique of emotional volatility to diverse viewers. The phrase "hot n cold" from the song's chorus has permeated modern , often used to describe partners exhibiting indecisive or fluctuating behavior in relationships, building on an older while gaining fresh pop culture traction through Perry's hit. This linguistic influence extended to the pop landscape, where "Hot n Cold" served as a prototype for Perry's era of bold, emotionally charged tracks that explored relational ups and downs, paving the way for similar themes in artists like , with whom Perry performed the song live during Swift's 2010 stop in . Live performances, including high-energy renditions on Perry's (2011–2012), further boosted its visibility and reinforced its anthemic status. In the 2020s, "Hot n Cold" experienced a revival on TikTok, where users created duets, lip-sync challenges, and dance routines mimicking its playful exasperation, often tying into viral trends about dating woes and garnering millions of views amid Perry's Lifetimes Tour performances in 2025. The track has also been referenced in relationship advice contexts, such as podcasts discussing "hot and cold" dynamics as red flags in partnerships, echoing its lyrics about inconsistency. Overall, "Hot n Cold" solidified Perry's persona as a pop provocateur, blending humor with sharp commentary on romance, and contributed to broader female empowerment narratives by empowering listeners—particularly women—to call out unreliable behavior in relationships through its sassy, unapologistic tone.

Cover versions and remixes

The American metalcore band Woe, Is Me released a cover of "Hot n Cold" in 2010 as part of the compilation album Punk Goes Pop Volume 3, transforming the original pop track into a heavier, aggressive rendition with screamed vocals and breakdown sections. In 2009, the German rockabilly trio The Baseballs included a retro-style cover on their debut album Strike!, reinterpreting the song with 1950s-inspired instrumentation, doo-wop harmonies, and slap bass, which peaked at number 68 on the German Singles Chart and charted in several European countries including Switzerland (#52) and Austria (#65). Kidz Bop Kids featured a , sanitized version of "Hot n Cold" on their 2009 album Kidz Bop 15, adapting the lyrics for a younger audience while maintaining the upbeat pop structure to appeal to children. Official remixes of "Hot n Cold" were released in 2008, including the Bimbo Jones Remix, which extended the track to over eight minutes with added electronic elements and a club-oriented beat, and the Manhattan Clique Remix, emphasizing a vibe; these were compiled on promotional maxi-singles to target radio and nightclub play.

Formats and credits

Track listings

The standard digital single release includes the album version of "Hot n Cold."
No.TitleLength
1."Hot n Cold"3:40

Digital EP

The digital EP for "Hot n Cold" includes the album version and two remixes. This format was made available through major digital platforms such as .
No.TitleLength
1."Hot 'n' Cold"3:43
2."Hot 'n' Cold" (Innerpartysystem Main)4:39
3."Hot 'n' Cold" (Manhattan Clique Remix) (Radio Edit)3:54

CD Single

The European CD single release includes the album version paired with the Innerpartysystem remix.
No.TitleLength
1."Hot n Cold" (album version)3:40
2."Hot n Cold" (Innerpartysystem remix)4:37
The European maxi-CD expands on this with additional remixes, catering to club and radio play. It includes the album version, Innerpartysystem remix, and Manhattan Clique radio edit.
No.TitleLength
1."Hot n Cold" (album version)3:40
2."Hot n Cold" (Innerpartysystem remix)4:37
3."Hot n Cold" (Manhattan Clique remix) (radio edit)3:54

Promotional Formats

Promotional releases for radio and industry use featured a radio edit alongside an instrumental version. These were distributed to broadcasters and DJs prior to the commercial launch. The Manhattan Clique radio edit is 3:54 in length, while the instrumental matches the album's 3:40 duration.
No.TitleLength
1."Hot n Cold" ( Clique radio edit)3:54
2."Hot n Cold" ()3:40
As of 2025, "Hot n Cold" is available in spatial audio on compatible platforms like , coinciding with Katy Perry's Lifetimes Tour.

Variations

"Hot n Cold" appears on the standard and deluxe editions of the album , with the deluxe offering additional bonus tracks and packaging.

Personnel

Katy Perry provided lead and backing vocals on "Hot n Cold." The song was written by , (Lukasz Gottwald), and . served as the primary producer and handled instrumentation, including , drums, and guitars, while also contributing to programming; acted as co-producer and provided guitar work. Benny Blanco contributed additional production, drums, and programming. The track was mixed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with assistance from John Hanes and Tim Roberts. Mastering was performed by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California. A&R direction for the single came from Chris Anokute and Angelica Cob-Baehler at . The song was recorded at multiple locations, including Dr. Luke's studio in New York and Capitol Studios in . Additional engineering was handled by a team including Emily Wright, Sam Holland, and Nick Banns. Production coordination was overseen by Gary "G" Silver.

Charts

Weekly charts

"Hot n Cold" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 on the chart dated July 5, 2008, driven by initial digital sales following the release of Katy Perry's album One of the Boys. The song steadily climbed the chart, entering the top 10 at number 9 on October 4, 2008, and reaching its peak position of number 3 on November 22, 2008, where it held for one week. It spent a total of 39 weeks on the Hot 100, marking one of Perry's longest-charting singles from the era. On the Billboard Pop Songs airplay chart, "Hot n Cold" reached number 1 on November 29, 2008, becoming Perry's first leader on that tally and accumulating 11 toppers overall on the chart to date. In the , "Hot n Cold" entered the Official Singles Chart at number 4 on October 4, 2008, its debut position reflecting strong digital download performance. The track maintained a presence in the top 10 for several weeks but did not surpass its initial peak, ultimately charting for 41 weeks in the top 100 through June 27, 2009, with brief re-entries in September 2010 and March 2012 due to renewed streaming and sales interest. On the Official Singles Downloads Chart, it mirrored the main chart's peak of number 4, underscoring its digital dominance in the pre-streaming era. The song achieved strong results across other international markets. In , "Hot n Cold" debuted at number 29 on the Singles on September 7, 2008, before peaking at number 4 and spending 38 weeks in the top 50. It topped the Digital Singles during its run, contributing to its certification as a triple-platinum single. In , the track entered the at number 73 on the chart dated August 23, 2008, ascended to number 1 on November 29, 2008, for one week, and totaled 55 weeks on the chart. On the airplay sub-chart, it also reached number 1. In , "Hot n Cold" debuted at number 2 on the Media Control Singles on November 7, 2008, before hitting number 1 the following week and holding the position for eight consecutive weeks, its longest run at the summit among Perry's early hits.
Country/ChartDebut Position (Date)Peak Position (Date)Weeks on Chart
Billboard Hot 10088 (July 5, 2008)3 (November 22, 2008)39
Pop Songs (Airplay)-1 (November 29, 2008)-
UK Official Singles Chart4 (October 4, 2008)4 (October 4, 2008)41
UK Official Singles Downloads4 (October 4, 2008)4 (October 4, 2008)41
Australia ARIA Singles29 (September 7, 2008)4 (October 5, 2008)38
Australia ARIA Digital Singles-1-
Canada Billboard Hot 10073 (August 23, 2008)1 (November 29, 2008)55
Canada Hot 100 Airplay-1-
Media Control Singles2 (November 7, 2008)1 (November 14, 2008)25

Year-end and decade charts

"Hot n Cold" demonstrated enduring commercial success through strong showings on year-end charts in both the and the , underscoring its role as a defining pop hit of the late . The track's performance spanned two calendar years due to its prolonged chart run, contributing significantly to Katy Perry's breakthrough. In annual rankings, "Hot n Cold" reached number 36 on the year-end chart for 2008 and climbed to number 25 in 2009, reflecting sustained airplay and sales momentum. On the UK Singles Chart, it ranked number 23 for the 2008 year-end and number 76 for 2009, highlighting its cross-Atlantic appeal.
Chart (Year)Position
US Billboard Hot 100 (2008)36
US Billboard Hot 100 (2009)25
UK Singles (2008)23
UK Singles (2009)76
Over the broader decade, "Hot n Cold" secured number 69 on Billboard's Hot 100 decade-end chart, positioning it among the era's top pop tracks and affirming Perry's impact on the genre. In all-time rankings, the song placed at number 525 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart through 2018, with subsequent updates maintaining its status as a enduring entry. Reflecting its lasting digital footprint, "Hot n Cold" amassed over 5.7 million digital downloads in the by 2017, contributing to its high standing in retrospective sales analyses where it ranked among Perry's top-selling singles. By , the inclusion of in chart methodologies elevated its position in pop anthem retrospectives, with the track surpassing 1.28 billion streams as of November and earning spots in top rankings such as number 3 on The Guardian's list of Perry's greatest songs.

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