I remember we were jumping off the walls when we cracked the title of the song.Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn explained the lyrics of "Hot Blooded" as being "a macho-ish reflection of a rock star's seductive intent.

"[5] The Record critic Rick Atkinson described "Hot Blooded" as using a common rock and roll opening and chord progression but that "a carefully placed guitar line here and a fast burst of keyboards there leaves the whole melange with a new feel.

"[6] St. Joseph News-Press critic Conrad Bibens described "Hot Blooded" as a "Free soundalike that lets [lead singer Lou] Gramm sing in the gruff manner of Paul Rodgers.

"[12] Hilburn described '"Hot Blooded" as touching on "the snarl of Bad Company, the wryness of Rod Stewart and the sensualness of the Rolling Stones" but complained the song lacked authenticity.

"[13] In a negative review of Double Vision, Robert Christgau wrote, "I like rock and roll so much that I catch myself getting off on 'Hot Blooded,' a typical piece of cock-rock nookie-hating carried along on a riff-with-chord-change that's pure (gad) second-generation Bad Company.

[15] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as Foreigner's 3rd best song, particularly praising the "smoking bass line and grooving drums" and "Mick Jones’ guitar licks.