The dark inspiration for Nick Gilder's 'Hot Child in the City'
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Nick Gilder's "Hot Child in the City" topped the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago Thursday.
While the song is innocuous enough for radio, Gilder says the inspiration came from seeing teenage prostitutes in Los Angeles.
"I've seen a lot of young girls, 15 and 16, walking down Hollywood Boulevard with their pimps," Gilder told Rolling Stone. "It hurts to see that so I tried writing from the perspective of a lecher — in the guise of an innocent pop song."
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.