Then He Kissed Me
Encyclopedia
"Then He Kissed Me" is a song written by Phil Spector
, Ellie Greenwich
and Jeff Barry
. The song was released as a single in September 1963 by The Crystals
. It is a narrative of a young woman's encounter, romance, and eventual marriage with a fellow youth. The single is one of The Crystals' most remembered songs. The lead vocal was sung by Dolores "LaLa" Brooks. In the United States the single peaked at number six and in the United Kingdom the single peaked at number two. The song featured production by Phil Spector. The single was The Crystals' third single to chart in the top ten in the United States and their second to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom. In 2004, this song was #493 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
. Pitchfork Media
placed it at number 18 on its list of "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".
on their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
with Al Jardine
on lead vocals and production by Brian Wilson
. The song was also released as a single in April 1967 in the United Kingdom, where it charted at number four. The B-side of the single was "Mountain of Love
", a song off the band's 1965 Beach Boys' Party!
album.
According to contemporary national charts sourced and cited by Billboard in 1967, it reached No. 2 in Sweden and South Africa and No. 9 in Belgium. It was No. 12 in Australia's Go Set chart and No. 6 in New Zealand.
for their 1975 album Keeps Us Off The Streets
, and subsequently by the American rock band Kiss
for their 1977 album Love Gun
. Also, Swedish pop-wonder Magnus Uggla
made a notorious cover in his mother tongue, called "Å, han kysste mej" (Lit, "Oh, he kissed me") (available on the album Vittring
). In 1984, the experimental New Wave band The Flying Lizards
released a cover on their final cover-themed album Top Ten. Country-rock singer Juice Newton
released her own version of the song on her 1989 album "Ain't Gonna Cry". In September 2007, New York shoegazing
band Asobi Seksu
released a cover as the B-side of their single "Stay Awake". Former Asobi Seksu drummer, Bryan Greene, recorded a live version in July 2009 with his band Escape Key, incorporating both male and female vocals. Bruce Springsteen
covered the song live in 1975 and revisited it again 33 years later by opening his August 23, 2008 concert in St. Louis, MO with it. Springsteen also played the song as a request during the encore at the BankAtlantic Center
in Sunrise, FL on September 13, 2009. The song has also been covered by Austin, TX based country band The Derailers
as "Then She Kissed Me" on their 1999 album Full Western Dress.
during the famous three-minute tracking shot through the Copacabana
night club. The song was also used during the opening credits of the film Adventures in Babysitting
, with Elisabeth Shue
dancing and lip-syncing the song. It is also heard at the end of the film during the last scene and over part of the end credits. It was also used in a scene from The Simpsons
episode "Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play".
The song inspired the front page headline And Then He Kissed Her on 30 July 1981, the day after the marriage of Prince Charles Prince of Wales
to Lady Diana Spencer
.
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
, Ellie Greenwich
Ellie Greenwich
Eleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
and Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
. The song was released as a single in September 1963 by The Crystals
The Crystals
The Crystals are an American vocal group based in New York, considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era of the first half of the 1960s. Their 1961–1964 chart hits, including "Uptown", "He's a Rebel", "Da Doo Ron Ron " and "Then He Kissed Me", featured three successive female lead...
. It is a narrative of a young woman's encounter, romance, and eventual marriage with a fellow youth. The single is one of The Crystals' most remembered songs. The lead vocal was sung by Dolores "LaLa" Brooks. In the United States the single peaked at number six and in the United Kingdom the single peaked at number two. The song featured production by Phil Spector. The single was The Crystals' third single to chart in the top ten in the United States and their second to reach the top ten in the United Kingdom. In 2004, this song was #493 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone, issue number 963, published December 9, 2004, a year after the magazine published its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"....
. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
placed it at number 18 on its list of "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".
The Beach Boys
The song was re-worded to the title "Then I Kissed Her" and released by The Beach BoysThe Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
on their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
- Singles :* "Help Me, Rhonda" b/w "Kiss Me Baby" , 5 April 1965 US #1; UK #27* "California Girls" b/w "Let Him Run Wild" , 12 July 1965 US #3; UK #26- References :...
with Al Jardine
Al Jardine
Alan Charles "Al" Jardine is a founding member of top-selling American music group The Beach Boys, a guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life:...
on lead vocals and production by Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
. The song was also released as a single in April 1967 in the United Kingdom, where it charted at number four. The B-side of the single was "Mountain of Love
Mountain of Love
"Mountain of Love" is a song written by Harold Dorman . Dorman released his version as a single in 1960. It performed well, becoming his only top forty hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the highest charting single of his career.In 1964, Johnny Rivers released his remake as a single...
", a song off the band's 1965 Beach Boys' Party!
Beach Boys' Party!
Beach Boys' Party! is an album of cover songs by American rock and roll band The Beach Boys that was marketed during the lucrative Christmas season. The original album release included a sheet of photographs of the band 'appearing' to be at the party at hand. It was The Beach Boys' tenth album...
album.
Chart performance
| Chart (1967) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| German Singles Chart | 39 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 4 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart 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 ... |
4 |
According to contemporary national charts sourced and cited by Billboard in 1967, it reached No. 2 in Sweden and South Africa and No. 9 in Belgium. It was No. 12 in Australia's Go Set chart and No. 6 in New Zealand.
Musicians
- Al JardineAl JardineAlan Charles "Al" Jardine is a founding member of top-selling American music group The Beach Boys, a guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life:...
- lead vocal - Mike LoveMike LoveMichael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Ron Swallow - tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
- unknown - castanets
- Brian WilsonBrian WilsonBrian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Carl WilsonCarl WilsonCarl Dean Wilson was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and sometime lead vocalist of The Beach Boys...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Dennis WilsonDennis WilsonDennis Carl Wilson was an American rock and roll musician best known as a founding member and the drummer of The Beach Boys. He was a member of the group from its formation until his death in 1983...
- 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 ....
, vocals
Other Versions
Sonny & Cher also covered the song in 1967. British glam rockers, The Hollywood Brats, covered the track in 1973. Later the song was recorded and re-titled "Then She Kissed Me" by another British glam rock band HelloHello (band)
Hello is a Bell Records label, teen appeal glam rock band, based in England.-Career:The core of Hello was founded in about 1969, originally being called The Age. The band was started by Bob Bradbury, previously of The Flashback Berries, with Jeff Allen , Keith Marshall and Vic Faulkner...
for their 1975 album Keeps Us Off The Streets
Keeps Us Off The Streets
Keeps Us Off The Streets is the debut album by British glam rock band Hello, released in 1975.-Personnel:*Keith Marshall - guitar, vocals*Bob Bradbury - guitar, vocals*Vic Faulkner - bass*Jeff Allen - drums...
, and subsequently by the American 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,...
for 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....
. Also, Swedish pop-wonder Magnus Uggla
Magnus Uggla
Per Allan Magnus Claësson Uggla is a Swedish artist, composer, actor, and occasional radio host known for his satirical lyrics. He is a member of the Swedish nobility and a descendant of several European rulers, among which John III of Sweden and Gustav Vasa...
made a notorious cover in his mother tongue, called "Å, han kysste mej" (Lit, "Oh, he kissed me") (available on the album Vittring
Vittring
Vittring is a 1978 album from Swedish pop and rock artist Magnus Uggla. The album was recorded with the English punk rock band Stadium Dogs."Stjärn...r" is a Swedish version of "Star Star" by The Rolling Stones....
). In 1984, the experimental New Wave band The Flying Lizards
The Flying Lizards
The Flying Lizards were an English experimental rock band, who were formed in 1976 in England. They are best remembered as New wave one-hit wonders, thanks to their deliberately eccentric cover of Barrett Strong's "Money", which became a UK and US chart success in 1979.-Career:Formed by and led by...
released a cover on their final cover-themed album Top Ten. Country-rock singer Juice Newton
Juice Newton
Judith Kay "Juice" Newton is an American Pop music and Country singer, songwriter and guitarist...
released her own version of the song on her 1989 album "Ain't Gonna Cry". In September 2007, New York shoegazing
Shoegazing
Shoegazing is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It lasted there until the mid 1990s, with a critical zenith reached in 1990 and 1991...
band Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu is an American dream pop band based in New York City. Their music draws influence from the shoegazing genre as well, and similarly uses a textured and effects-heavy vocal and guitar sound...
released a cover as the B-side of their single "Stay Awake". Former Asobi Seksu drummer, Bryan Greene, recorded a live version in July 2009 with his band Escape Key, incorporating both male and female vocals. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
covered the song live in 1975 and revisited it again 33 years later by opening his August 23, 2008 concert in St. Louis, MO with it. Springsteen also played the song as a request during the encore at the BankAtlantic Center
BankAtlantic Center
The BankAtlantic Center is an indoor arena located in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and adjacent to the popular Sawgrass Mills Mall.The arena features 70 suites & 2,623 club seats.The arena is directly accessible from the Sawgrass Expressway...
in Sunrise, FL on September 13, 2009. The song has also been covered by Austin, TX based country band The Derailers
The Derailers
The Derailers are an American country music band based in Austin, Texas. They were founded by Portland, Oregon natives Tony Villanueva and Brian Hofeldt in 1994.-History:...
as "Then She Kissed Me" on their 1999 album Full Western Dress.
Use in other media
The Crystals' version was used in its entirety in the 1990 film GoodfellasGoodfellas
Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation of the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese...
during the famous three-minute tracking shot through the Copacabana
Copacabana
Copacabana is a borough located in the southern zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It's known for its 4 km beach, which is one of the most famous in the world.- History :...
night club. The song was also used during the opening credits of the film Adventures in Babysitting
Adventures in Babysitting
Adventures in Babysitting is a 1987 American comedy film written by David Simkins, directed by Chris Columbus, and starring Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Penelope Ann Miller, Bradley Whitford, and a brief cameo by blues singer/guitarist Albert Collins...
, with Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Judson Shue is an American actress and producer, most famous for her roles in the films The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, Back to the Future Parts II and III and Leaving Las Vegas, for which she won five acting awards and was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden...
dancing and lip-syncing the song. It is also heard at the end of the film during the last scene and over part of the end credits. It was also used in a scene from The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode "Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play".
The song inspired the front page headline And Then He Kissed Her on 30 July 1981, the day after the marriage of Prince Charles Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
to Lady Diana Spencer
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
.