French Kissin (song)
Encyclopedia
"French Kissin" a.k.a. "French Kissin' in the USA" is the second song from the 1986 album Rockbird
by Debbie Harry
. It was written by Chuck Lorre
, who would later create the hit television sitcoms Dharma & Greg
and Two and a Half Men
among others.
previous releases. However, "French Kissin" became a moderate radio hit in the US, peaking at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The song was also Harry's biggest success in the UK, where it reached number eight. The single has charted in the most territories for any solo Debbie Harry single to date and is generally considered her largest hit.
For promotion, Harry did a live performance of "French Kissin" and "In Love with Love" on Saturday Night Live
, as well as a handful of television interviews in the UK and U.S. in late 1986. A colorful music video
was also released and subsequently played on video stations.
Harry also recorded a French language version of the track which was released as the B-side of other Rockbird
singles and was also included on the 1988 Blondie
/Debbie Harry remix compilation Once More into the Bleach
. Also, a cover of the song by Carol Chapman was also featured in the 1980s movie Troop Beverly Hills
.
Besides the regular formats 7" and 12" the single was also released as a limited edition 12" picture disc in the UK.
US 12", UK 12" & UK 12" Picture Disc
Rockbird
Rockbird is the second solo album by the American singer Debbie Harry, released in November 1986.-Album information:Rockbird was Harry's second solo album, and came four years after the split of Blondie in 1982. Harry had largely put her music career on hold during the mid-1980s in order to look...
by Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
. It was written by Chuck Lorre
Chuck Lorre
Chuck Lorre is a writer, director, producer and composer who has created many American sitcoms, including Grace Under Fire, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory...
, who would later create the hit television sitcoms Dharma & Greg
Dharma & Greg
Dharma & Greg is an American television sitcom that aired from September 24, 1997, to April 30, 2002.It starred Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson as Dharma and Greg Montgomery, a couple who married instantly on their first date despite being complete opposites...
and Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...
among others.
Song information
The song is a slow tempo ballad. It was released on Geffen Records as the album's first single on November 15, 1986 and struggled to find a US mainstream audience after Harry's first solo album and singles were minor hits compared to her band'sBlondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
previous releases. However, "French Kissin" became a moderate radio hit in the US, peaking at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song was also Harry's biggest success in the UK, where it reached number eight. The single has charted in the most territories for any solo Debbie Harry single to date and is generally considered her largest hit.
For promotion, Harry did a live performance of "French Kissin" and "In Love with Love" on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, as well as a handful of television interviews in the UK and U.S. in late 1986. A colorful music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was also released and subsequently played on video stations.
Harry also recorded a French language version of the track which was released as the B-side of other Rockbird
Rockbird
Rockbird is the second solo album by the American singer Debbie Harry, released in November 1986.-Album information:Rockbird was Harry's second solo album, and came four years after the split of Blondie in 1982. Harry had largely put her music career on hold during the mid-1980s in order to look...
singles and was also included on the 1988 Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
/Debbie Harry remix compilation Once More into the Bleach
Once More into the Bleach
Once More into the Bleach is a remix album released in 1988 by the band Blondie and Debbie Harry. The thirteen-track compilation contains remixes of Blondie songs and material from Debbie Harry's solo career. It was issued as a double vinyl album, double cassette, and compact disc...
. Also, a cover of the song by Carol Chapman was also featured in the 1980s movie Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills is a 1989 American comedy film. Produced by Weintraub Entertainment Group and directed by Jeff Kanew, it starred Shelley Long, Craig T...
.
Besides the regular formats 7" and 12" the single was also released as a limited edition 12" picture disc in the UK.
Track listing
US 7", UK 7" & UK Poster Sleeve 7"- "French Kissin" (7" Edit) (Chuck LorreChuck LorreChuck Lorre is a writer, director, producer and composer who has created many American sitcoms, including Grace Under Fire, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory...
) - 4:09 - "Rockbird" (Deborah Harry, Chris SteinChris SteinChristopher "Chris" Stein is co-founder and guitarist in the New Wave band, Blondie. He is also a producer and performer for the classic soundtrack of the hip hop film Wild Style....
) - 3:09
US 12", UK 12" & UK 12" Picture Disc
- "French Kissin" (Dance Mix) (Chuck Lorre) - 7:25
- "French Kissin" (Dub Version) (Chuck Lorre) - 8:02
- "Rockbird" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) - 3:09
Chart positions
| Chart (1986) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
57 |
| US Dance Maxi-Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
44 |
| Ireland | 8 |
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
8 |
| Australia | 4 |
| Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
15 |
| Netherlands NVPI The NVPI is the Dutch tradeassociation of the entertainment industry... |
32 |
| Germany Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
28 |
| Italy | 47 |
| South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... Airplay |
8 |