KISS Press Shot 01 CREDIT Brian Lowe Universal Music Group
Photo: KISS band members in full makeup and stage costumes, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer, posing for a promotional shot.
KISS. The name itself conjures up images of iconic makeup, explosive stage shows, and anthemic rock and roll. They’re more than just a band; they’re a global phenomenon, an American institution right up there with the most recognizable brands. For over five decades, KISS has not only dominated stages worldwide but has also built a monumental catalog of songs that have become the soundtrack for generations of rock fans. While their theatrical performances and larger-than-life personas often steal the spotlight, the music of KISS is the bedrock of their enduring legacy.
If you’re ready to dive deep into the KISS discography beyond the hits, or if you’re just beginning to explore the world of the hottest band in the land, this curated list of 20 essential Kiss Songs is your perfect starting point. From their early raw rock anthems to their later stadium-ready power ballads, we’ll explore the tracks that define KISS’s incredible journey and solidify their place in rock history. Get ready to shout it out loud for the best KISS songs!
20: ‘Nothin’ To Lose’ (KISS, 1974)
“Nothin’ To Lose” holds a special place in the hearts of both KISS and their devoted fans. As their debut single, released in February 1974, it marked the band’s first foray into the mainstream. Adding to its significance, the song was also featured during KISS’s inaugural US television appearance on ABC’s In Concert in the same month. This track is a raw, Rolling Stones-esque rocker, fueled by the shared lead vocals of Gene Simmons and original drummer Peter Criss. Its infectious energy and swagger made “Nothin’ To Lose” a staple in KISS’s live shows throughout the 1970s, capturing the band’s early, gritty spirit.
19: ‘Forever’ (Hot In The Shade, 1989)
The late 1980s and early 1990s presented a shifting landscape for hard rock bands like KISS. With the rise of Guns N’ Roses and the burgeoning grunge movement, KISS navigated a challenging era. Released in 1989, Hot In The Shade often gets overlooked in their extensive discography, despite achieving gold status. However, this album gifted fans with “Forever,” a power ballad masterpiece co-written by Paul Stanley and Michael Bolton. This emotionally charged anthem soared into the US Top 10 and remains a testament to KISS’s ability to craft compelling ballads that resonate deeply.
Kiss – Forever
18: ‘Firehouse’ (KISS, 1974)
Paul Stanley’s “Firehouse” is an electrifying rocker from KISS’s self-titled debut album. Clearly inspired by The Move’s 1960s hit “Fire Brigade,” “Firehouse” is instantly catchy and undeniably powerful. Built upon Gene Simmons’s signature low-slung riffs and driving basslines, the song is tailor-made for the live stage. “Firehouse” has been a consistent crowd-pleaser throughout KISS’s career, often enhanced in concert by flashing red lights, sirens, and Gene Simmons’s famous fire-breathing spectacle, making it a truly immersive KISS experience.
Firehouse
17: ‘Crazy Crazy Nights’ (Crazy Crazy Nights, 1987)
For their 14th studio album, 1987’s Crazy Crazy Nights, KISS consciously explored a more radio-friendly sound. Moving away from the heavier, metal-influenced style they had largely embraced since Creatures Of The Night in 1982, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley steered towards a pop-metal direction, incorporating synthesizers more prominently. The album’s title track, “Crazy Crazy Nights,” perfectly encapsulates this shift, becoming a massive hit and earning KISS their first UK Top 10 single, showcasing their adaptability and enduring appeal.
Crazy Crazy Nights
16: ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’ (Dynasty, 1979)
Just as The Rolling Stones embraced disco with “Miss You,” KISS ventured into the late 1970s’ dance craze with “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.” This track, a blend of pop sensibilities and KISS’s signature rock edge, was initially met with skepticism from critics who labeled it a novelty. However, “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” defied expectations, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of KISS’s biggest hits in the United States. Its infectious chorus and undeniable groove continue to make it a fan favorite and a testament to KISS’s willingness to experiment.
Kiss – I Was Made For Lovin’ You
15: ‘I Love It Loud’ (Creatures Of The Night, 1982)
Following their more pop-oriented albums Dynasty and Unmasked, KISS’s tenth studio album, Creatures Of The Night, signaled a powerful return to their hard rock roots. “I Love It Loud,” penned by Gene Simmons, is a quintessential heavy metal anthem. Driven by a thunderous beat and Simmons’s aggressive vocals, it’s a fist-pumping, stadium-ready track that embodies the raw energy and power of KISS in their prime. As straightforward and effective rock anthems go, “I Love It Loud” remains a high watermark.
Kiss – I Love It Loud (Official Music Video)
14: ‘Lick It Up’ (Lick It Up, 1983)
In a bold career move, KISS marked their new deal with Mercury Records by shedding their iconic makeup for their 11th studio album, 1983’s Lick It Up. This radical change paid off, as the album built upon the hard rock and metal foundation laid by Creatures Of The Night, attracting a new wave of fans. The album’s title track, “Lick It Up,” is a prime example of this era’s sound – steely, salacious, and undeniably KISS. It rewarded the band with a well-deserved UK Top 40 hit, proving their resilience and ability to evolve.
Kiss – Lick It Up
13: ‘Calling Dr. Love’ (Rock And Roll Over, 1976)
A standout track from 1976’s Rock And Roll Over, Gene Simmons’s “Calling Dr. Love” draws inspiration from an unexpected source: The Three Stooges’ 1934 film Men In Black. Becoming a US Top 20 hit, the song’s memorable call-and-response chorus is rumored to be based on dialogue from the film (“Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard”). However, KISS transformed it into their own infectious, riff-driven anthem. Ace Frehley’s gloriously over-the-top guitar solo further elevates “Calling Dr. Love” into a quintessential KISS track.
Calling Dr. Love
12: ‘Creatures Of The Night’ (Creatures Of The Night, 1982)
Creatures Of The Night, KISS’s final album for Casablanca Records and arguably their heaviest, opens with its crushing title track. Co-written by Paul Stanley and Adam Mitchell, “Creatures Of The Night” aligns with the raw, uncompromising heavy rock pioneered by NWOBHM bands like Def Leppard and Iron Maiden. Its transatlantic appeal propelled it to become a UK Top 40 hit, solidifying KISS’s relevance in a changing hard rock landscape.
Creatures Of The Night
11: ‘Hard Luck Woman’ (Rock And Roll Over, 1976)
Paul Stanley reportedly wrote “Hard Luck Woman” with Rod Stewart in mind. However, after the success of the Peter Criss-sung ballad “Beth,” KISS decided to record it themselves. Criss delivered a perfect performance, channeling a raspy, “Maggie May”-esque vocal that beautifully complemented the song’s rootsy, semi-acoustic arrangement. “Hard Luck Woman” achieved US Top 20 status for KISS, showcasing their versatility. In 1994, country music icon Garth Brooks covered the song for the KISS tribute album KISS My Ass: Classic KISS Regrooved, with KISS themselves backing him, further demonstrating the song’s wide appeal.
Hard Luck Woman
10: ‘Rocket Ride’ (Alive II, 1977)
“Rocket Ride,” penned and performed by original KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley, is unique on this best KISS songs list as it doesn’t directly involve Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley. A standout track from Frehley, this powerful, psych-tinged song is the only one of the Alive II studio recordings featuring the guitarist. Frehley dominates the track, playing every instrument except the drums, which were handled by Peter Criss, making it a true showcase for his talents within the KISS framework.
Rocket Ride
9: ‘Black Diamond’ (KISS, 1974)
“Black Diamond,” a gritty classic from KISS’s debut album, is almost entirely a Paul Stanley composition. Stanley opens the song with his 12-string guitar before the full band explodes into action, with drummer Peter Criss taking over the vocal duties for the verses. The lyrics paint a picture of the sex workers the band frequently encountered in their native New York City. Stanley described it as “a song that I wrote about New York… Seeing hookers on the street… kind of gave us something to fantasize about.” A beloved fan favorite, “Black Diamond” has been covered by notable artists like The Replacements and Pearl Jam, highlighting its lasting impact.
Black Diamond
8: ‘Shout It Out Loud’ (Destroyer, 1976)
While KISS’s first three albums achieved gold status in the US, their career reached new heights when they collaborated with Alice Cooper producer Bob Ezrin for Destroyer. Ezrin’s studio expertise brought polish and sophistication to the band’s sound, incorporating strings and sound effects. His production was instrumental in the US Top 40 success of Destroyer‘s lead single, “Shout It Out Loud.” Paul Stanley wrote the song, drawing inspiration from The Hollies’ “We Want To Shout It Out Loud,” a song Simmons and Stanley had performed in their pre-KISS band, Wicked Lester, showcasing the evolution of their musical ideas.
Shout It Out Loud
7: ‘Hotter Than Hell’ (Hotter Than Hell, 1974)
Following their confident debut, Hotter Than Hell had big shoes to fill. However, the album delivered, particularly with Ace Frehley’s “Parasite” and the Paul Stanley-penned title track. The resemblance of “Hotter Than Hell” to Free’s iconic “All Right Now” is undeniable, yet with the full band firing on all cylinders, “Hotter Than Hell” stands as a KISS classic in its own right.
Hotter Than Hell
6: ‘Beth’ (Destroyer, 1976)
Sung by original drummer Peter Criss, “Beth” remains KISS’s highest-charting US single, reaching No. 7. It’s also one of only two KISS singles to achieve gold certification in the US (along with “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”). While Criss is credited as a writer, producer Bob Ezrin significantly shaped the song by altering the arrangement and adding piano and strings. Criss’s heartfelt vocal performance was universally praised. Despite being a departure from their typical sound, “Beth” has proven to have timeless appeal, showcasing KISS’s softer side and broadening their fanbase.
Beth
5: ‘Love Gun’ (Love Gun, 1977)
Paul Stanley took full creative control of “Love Gun,” the title track from KISS’s platinum-selling sixth album. He wrote, arranged, sang, and even played bass in addition to his rhythm guitar duties. While the lyrics might be perceived as somewhat Spinal Tap-esque in retrospect, Stanley himself acknowledged borrowing lines from Booker T & The MGs’ “The Hunter.” Regardless, “Love Gun” is undeniably a powerful rock song. Stanley considers it “quintessential KISS and one of the five essential signature songs” the band has recorded, a testament to its enduring impact and status.
Love Gun
4: ‘God Of Thunder’ (Destroyer, 1976)
Ironically, “God Of Thunder,” widely considered Gene Simmons’s signature song, was actually written by Paul Stanley. Stanley intended to sing it himself, but producer Bob Ezrin insisted Simmons take the lead. Simmons delivered a commanding performance, and the song, with its themes of Greek mythology, became perfectly suited to his Demon persona. Simmons’s blood-spitting and bass solos in live performances have further cemented “God Of Thunder” as synonymous with him. While a faster version appears on Alive II, the Destroyer version remains definitive for its atmosphere and dramatic power.
God Of Thunder
3: ‘Deuce’ (KISS, 1974)
“Deuce,” a Gene Simmons-penned gem from KISS’s debut album, is a live staple and their most-covered song. Artists spanning genres, from Red Kross to Lenny Kravitz and Bathory, have reimagined it. Its enduring appeal is undeniable. “Deuce” encapsulates everything that makes early KISS great: driving riffs, urgent vocals, and Ace Frehley’s masterful lead guitar work. Simmons recalled that the song emerged almost fully formed: “I heard the lick, the riff, the melody, the whole thing. We arranged it right on the spot and knew that it would be a staple for years.” He was absolutely right.
Deuce
2: ‘Detroit Rock City’ (Destroyer, 1976)
Although KISS is synonymous with New York City, Detroit held a special place as one of their earliest and most enthusiastic fan bases. Paul Stanley, with Bob Ezrin’s help, penned “Detroit Rock City” as an ode to Motor City, and it has become inextricably linked to KISS. It’s almost impossible to imagine a KISS concert without “Detroit Rock City.” A classic rock radio staple, the song is renowned for its iconic guitar solo, a duet between Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley, making it a true highlight of the KISS experience.
Detroit Rock City
1: ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’ (Dressed To Kill, 1975)
When KISS was recording their third album, Dressed To Kill, their label boss Neil Bogart famously declared, “You guys need an anthem!” Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley delivered in spades with “Rock And Roll All Nite.” Featuring the legendary mission statement, “I wanna rock’n’roll all nite and party every day!”, the song perfectly captured the band’s spirit. While the studio version was catchy, it was the electrifying live rendition from Alive! that propelled “Rock And Roll All Nite” to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. This live version became KISS’s commercial breakthrough and solidified its status as their ultimate signature song and one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.
Rock And Roll All Nite
Did we miss any of your favorite KISS songs? Let us know in the comments below!
