Shock Me
Encyclopedia
"Shock Me" is a song released by American
hard rock band Kiss
on their 1977 album Love Gun
. It was written by lead guitarist Ace Frehley
, who made his lead vocal debut on the track. The song was inspired by an event that took place during Kiss' Rock and Roll Over tour
, when Frehley was nearly electrocuted
. This song was ranked #50 in Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" ever.After a few years of giving away his songs to the band's other vocalists, Ace Frehley made his long-awaited vocal debut in 1977 with "Shock Me." This sturdy rocker is built on double-entendre lyrics that compare a steamy romantic encounter to being electrocuted: "Don't cut the power on me/I'm feelin' low so get me high/Shock me, make me feel better." The music affects a relaxed mid-tempo style that pairs gently swinging verse melodies to a punchy chorus that delivers the choral hooks in a call-and-response style. Kiss' recording of "Shock Me" has an easygoing but powerful feel reminiscent of the Rolling Stones' 1970s-era rockers, building itself on a low-slung guitar riff and a steady groove from the rhythm section that is fuelled by some crisp drum fills from Peter Criss. Frehley contributes a typically fiery solo and a blissed-out vocal that fits the song's playful mood perfectly. Frehley was apparently very nervous while recording this vocal (he ended up singing it lying on his back in a darkened studio), but it was a solid effort that set the stage for future Frehley-vocalized Kiss faves like "Talk to Me" and his solo hit "New York Groove." "Shock Me" also became a beloved live guitar-solo set piece for Frehley that often climaxed with him detonating his smoking guitar (this act can be seen in all its pyrotechnic glory on the Kiss My Ass video).
. During the opening number, Frehley touched a metal staircase railing, which was ungrounded
. Frehley was knocked to the ground, and the concert was delayed for 30 minutes. The show was eventually completed, and Frehley claimed to have lost feeling in his hand for the remainder of the concert.
Frehley presented "Shock Me" to Kiss in its completed form. According to Gene Simmons
, the rest of the band was not involved in the song's arrangement. Although Frehley had written a number of Kiss songs previously, this was his first time performing lead vocals. The song has since become Frehley's "theme song" for the band. Frehley, who was insecure about his singing, recorded his vocals while lying on the floor.
tour. Kiss did not perform the song again until Frehley returned to the group for their 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour. It remained in the group's setlist during the Psycho Circus
tour, although Frehley's guitar solo was moved to "Into the Void." Tommy Thayer
made his debut singing the song on March 16, 2008 at the Melbourne F1 Circuit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock band Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
on their 1977 album Love Gun
Love Gun
Love Gun is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Kiss. It was certified platinum on June 30, 1977, just two weeks after the album's release....
. It was written by lead guitarist Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, who made his lead vocal debut on the track. The song was inspired by an event that took place during Kiss' Rock and Roll Over tour
Rock & Roll Over Tour
The Rock & Roll Over Tour was a concert tour by Kiss, in support of their album Rock and Roll Over. This tour saw Kiss tour Japan for the first time, playing Tokyo's Budokan for four nights, breaking The Beatles' previous record. On April 2, they played two sets, the first one being recorded for...
, when Frehley was nearly electrocuted
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
. This song was ranked #50 in Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" ever.After a few years of giving away his songs to the band's other vocalists, Ace Frehley made his long-awaited vocal debut in 1977 with "Shock Me." This sturdy rocker is built on double-entendre lyrics that compare a steamy romantic encounter to being electrocuted: "Don't cut the power on me/I'm feelin' low so get me high/Shock me, make me feel better." The music affects a relaxed mid-tempo style that pairs gently swinging verse melodies to a punchy chorus that delivers the choral hooks in a call-and-response style. Kiss' recording of "Shock Me" has an easygoing but powerful feel reminiscent of the Rolling Stones' 1970s-era rockers, building itself on a low-slung guitar riff and a steady groove from the rhythm section that is fuelled by some crisp drum fills from Peter Criss. Frehley contributes a typically fiery solo and a blissed-out vocal that fits the song's playful mood perfectly. Frehley was apparently very nervous while recording this vocal (he ended up singing it lying on his back in a darkened studio), but it was a solid effort that set the stage for future Frehley-vocalized Kiss faves like "Talk to Me" and his solo hit "New York Groove." "Shock Me" also became a beloved live guitar-solo set piece for Frehley that often climaxed with him detonating his smoking guitar (this act can be seen in all its pyrotechnic glory on the Kiss My Ass video).
Background
On December 12, 1976, Kiss performed a concert at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, FloridaLakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. During the opening number, Frehley touched a metal staircase railing, which was ungrounded
Ground (electricity)
In electrical engineering, ground or earth may be the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured, or a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth....
. Frehley was knocked to the ground, and the concert was delayed for 30 minutes. The show was eventually completed, and Frehley claimed to have lost feeling in his hand for the remainder of the concert.
Frehley presented "Shock Me" to Kiss in its completed form. According to Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
, the rest of the band was not involved in the song's arrangement. Although Frehley had written a number of Kiss songs previously, this was his first time performing lead vocals. The song has since become Frehley's "theme song" for the band. Frehley, who was insecure about his singing, recorded his vocals while lying on the floor.
Live history
"Shock Me" was added to Kiss's setlist starting with the Love Gun tour. Frehley's guitar solo, previously performed during "She" and then "Cold Gin", was added to the song. The song was dropped from the setlist after the 1977–78 Alive IIAlive II
Alive II is a 1977 live album from Kiss. It is the group's eighth album and second live album.-The songs:The origins of Alive II go back to early 1977 when the band's manager, Bill Aucoin, had the idea to have Eddie Kramer record a live album during the evening show at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on...
tour. Kiss did not perform the song again until Frehley returned to the group for their 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour. It remained in the group's setlist during the Psycho Circus
Psycho Circus
Psycho Circus is the 18th studio album by American band Kiss. The album features the original four members back together, and in full make-up....
tour, although Frehley's guitar solo was moved to "Into the Void." Tommy Thayer
Tommy Thayer
Tommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
made his debut singing the song on March 16, 2008 at the Melbourne F1 Circuit.
Kiss
- Love GunLove GunLove Gun is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Kiss. It was certified platinum on June 30, 1977, just two weeks after the album's release....
(1977) - Alive IIAlive IIAlive II is a 1977 live album from Kiss. It is the group's eighth album and second live album.-The songs:The origins of Alive II go back to early 1977 when the band's manager, Bill Aucoin, had the idea to have Eddie Kramer record a live album during the evening show at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on...
(1977) - The Box Set (2001)
- GoldGold (KISS album)Gold is a 2005 greatest hits collection from hard rock band Kiss. This two-disc set covers the band's recordings from 1974 to 1982. All tracks are previously available.-Track listing:Disc 1:#"Strutter"...
(2005) - IkonsIkonsIkons is a 4 CD box set compilation album by Universal Music Group, featuring material recorded by American hard rock band Kiss. Each CD in the set is named after one of the original band members, collecting songs that represent his contribution to the band. In 1996 the 'KISS-Ikons' concept was...
(2008)
Cover versions
- Red House PaintersRed House PaintersRed House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
– Shock Me EPShock Me EPShock Me is an EP by the band Red House Painters. It was released in the UK only on February 28, 1994 on CD and 12" vinyl. The EP features two versions of the song "Shock Me," a Kiss cover. The EP went out of print shortly after its initial release...
(1994); RetrospectiveRetrospective (Red House Painters album)Retrospective is a 2-disc compilation of Red House Painters' songs from the band's 4AD era. The compilation was released in July 1999. Disc one is a collection of definitive Red House Painters tracks culled from their debut album Down Colorful Hill through 1995's Ocean Beach, as picked by 4AD label...
(1999)
Personnel
- Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
– lead vocals and lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and backing vocals - Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and backing vocals - Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....