The single “You Can Leave Your Hat On” by Joe Cocker was released in July 1986 , with many music references narrowing it to early/mid‑April 1986 for the album release and July 1986 for the commercial single.

Quick Scoop

Joe Cocker’s version of “You Can Leave Your Hat On” is a cover of Randy Newman’s 1972 song, but the one most people know—the sultry version used in 9½ Weeks —comes from Cocker’s 1986 album Cocker.

That album was released in April 1986, and the single itself was issued shortly after, hitting charts in July 1986.

Release date details

  • The song appears on Joe Cocker’s album Cocker , released in April 1986.
  • Genius lists the track’s release date as April 1, 1986 (album/track release).
  • Chart and video data show the single circulating and credited with a July 1986 release, especially in the United States and some European markets.

So, if your question is about the single “Leave Your Hat On” by Joe Cocker, the practical single release is July 1986 , while the album track debuted in early April 1986.

Mini timeline

  1. 1972 – Randy Newman releases the original “You Can Leave Your Hat On” on his album Sail Away.
  1. April 1986 – Joe Cocker releases his album Cocker , including “You Can Leave Your Hat On”.
  1. July 1986 – The Joe Cocker single “You Can Leave Your Hat On” is released and starts charting (e.g., Swiss charts, US mainstream rock, Italian singles charts).

Different viewpoints on the exact date

Because music databases track slightly different things (album date vs. single date vs. compilation date), sources don’t always list the same day:

  • Some list April 1, 1986 for Joe Cocker’s release of “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (album/track reference).
  • Chart and video records emphasize July 1986 as the single’s release month.
  • Later compilations and reissues show alternative dates (e.g., February 14, 1986 for a compilation containing the track), but this is not the original single release.

A good rule of thumb:

Album track – early April 1986
Hit single – July 1986

Simple answer you can use

If you need a clear, concise statement (e.g., for a forum post or trivia):

Joe Cocker’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” was first released in April 1986 on his album Cocker , and issued as a commercial single in July 1986.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.