Not yet convinced that the song could be a hit, producer Mickie Most put it on the flip side of the Hot Chocolate single "Blue Night".

In the UK the song was poised for the number-one spot, but was beaten to it by "Bohemian Rhapsody", when on 29 November 1975 the Queen single leapfrogged it from number nine.

One cover was by pop duo T-Shirt, featuring actress Chloé Treend and songwriter Miranda Cooper, while the other version was by English pop/dance act Clock.

Actress Chloé Treend and songwriter Miranda Cooper collaborated under the name T-Shirt to release a cover of "You Sexy Thing" in August 1997.

British magazine Music Week rated this version three out of five, writing, "The Hot Chocolate hit gets a Spice Girls-style reworking with chirpy, cocky vocals mixed in with Errol Brown's soulful delivery.

"[46] Music Week editor Alan Jones wrote, "Clock have ticked up an impressive number of hits over the past four years, and are destined for another with a rather tame remake [...].

"[47] Kirstin Watson from Smash Hits gave it one out of five, saying, "It's faster and funkier than the original, but has been filled with ear-bashing raps and plinky-plonky bits.