Contributors:

Jonathan Chaffer

Jonathan Dore

juchtert@kenyon.edu

Matthew McLauchlin

Matt Powers

Though it is by no means obvious at a cursory readthrough, the most common interpretation of Hot Cha is that it is an allegory for Jesus Christ. This fits surprisingly well, so much so that this relatively strange interp seems like a candidate for Their intention for the song's meaning.

The theory goes that basically Hot Cha symbolizes Jesus. The first time he went away is the Crucifixion, and the second is the Ascension. The "if he would come back" part refers to Judgment Day. With these basic ideas in place, other symbols start to become possible. The Prodigal Son, while not a name for Jesus, is the name of a character in one of His parables. One idea is that "drink and cook" is a pun on "wine and dine," so that the line is about the celebration when the prodigal returned from his sinful life. The bathtub running over could refer to baptism or to unfinished business on Earth (that he would return), and the cooking bacon part could possibly refer to the abolishment of Jewish restrictions such as not eating pork.

Though that interp works pretty nicely, it is far from conclusive. Another idea offered is that "Hot Cha" may come from the Hindi word "cha," meaning tea. Apparently "cha" is also British slang for tea. How this sheds light on the song is unclear.