With Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F currently streaming for millions, audiences have the chance to check back in on Eddie Murphy’s iconic 1980s character. Fans of the original might be thinking about the killer soundtrack from that film, which featured Glenn Frey‘s smash hit “The Heat Is On.”
What is the song about? How was its recording typical for ’80s movies songs? And how did Frey end up being the choice to sing it? Turn up the air conditioners, because “The Heat Is On” all over again.
Rocking the Hills
The ’80s undoubtedly served as the glory era for the movie soundtrack. And we’re not so much talking about the incidental, instrumental themes that played throughout the films, although there was plenty of good stuff in that area as well. In fact, the instrumental “Axel F” by Harold Faltermeyer from the original Beverly Hills Cop film was one of the few themes that actually crossed over and did big business on the pop charts.
What ’80s film producers had down to a science was the ability to forge a soundtrack full of killer pop songs performed by the biggest artists of the day. At the time, many fans didn’t realize the artists doing the performing often didn’t write the songs from the films that became hits. Instead, producers hired songwriters who were expert at coming up with songs that referenced the movie’s plot or themes, but could also stand alone when heard on the radio without the film playing.
In fact, many of these songwriters became so adept at it they were called upon again and again to show off this particular set of skills. Keith Forsey was one of those writers. The former drummer scored big by co-writing “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” which not only became a massive hit but also won a Best Song Academy Award. He’d also go on to co-write “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from The Breakfast Club for Simple Minds.
In between those two smashes came “The Heat Is On,” which he co-wrote with Faltermeyer, who composed the Beverly Hills Cop score. It was just a matter of finding the right artist to sing the song. That’s where Glenn Frey entered the picture. In 1984, the former member of the Eagles was building his career as a solo artist, but hadn’t yet been able to score that big Top-10 hit.
Frey was sent an invite by his manager to an advance screening of Beverly Hills Cop, with the intent being to see if he might do a song for the soundtrack. But Frey’s heart sank when he saw how many other top musicians were in attendance, suggesting there was a lot of competition for the gig. That’s why he was surprised when he was sent a demo of “The Heat Is On” by the producers of the film.
Frey headed into the studio and churned out a vocal that combined just the right amounts of slickness and soulfulness. Although the soundtrack was indeed packed with other top artists, it was “The Heat Is On” that broke out as the hot single. It went to No. 2, propelling Frey into the most successful stretch of his solo career.
What is the Meaning of “The Heat Is On”?
“The Heat is On” does a great job capturing the vibe of the film in that the lyrics hint at both the thrill of being in the middle of the action and the danger that kind of life often entails. And the beat’s so loud, deep inside / The pressure’s high just to stay alive, Frey sings, his voice hinting at both the lure and threat of it all.
The shadow’s high on the darker side, Frey bellows in the second verse, again making clear this is no joyride. You have to give him credit for imbuing feeling into lyrics that could have come off as slogans: You can make or break, win or lose / That’s the chance you take when the heat’s on you.
Frey’s winning touch with soundtrack work continued when “You Belong to the City,” which he wrote with frequent collaborator Jack Tempchin for the TV show Miami Vice, also went to No. 2 just a year after “The Heat Is On.” The guy just knew how to make us believe that he was caught up in the action.
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