This article possibly contains original research .(January 2012) |
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" | ||||
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Single by Kiss | ||||
from the album Dynasty | ||||
B-side | "Hard Times" | |||
Released | May 20, 1979 | |||
Studio | Electric Lady, Record Plant (New York City) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Casablanca | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Vini Poncia | |||
Kiss singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" on YouTube |
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album, Dynasty . It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album, with "Hard Times" as the B-side.
The song has become a permanent staple in Kiss's live performances. [3] The band's performance of the song at their 30th anniversary show in Melbourne, Australia, was accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, who wore Kiss-style makeup with their tuxedos. [4] At first Desmond Child said, "Paul wanted to write a good disco song and I decided to help him with that. Paul started to write lyrics and chords then I played the song on the guitar and said 'OK, we'll do something to improve this and make it really a good song.'"
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" draws heavily from the disco style that was popular in late-1970s United States. According to legend, the members of the band were in conflict with their producers, who wanted the band to shift to a more commercial sound. In response, the band argued that lucrative disco songs could be written by anyone in a short time frame. The story goes that the song's demo was completed in mere hours after the bet. While the story is unproven, Paul Stanley, who co-wrote the song with Desmond Child and Vini Poncia, has stated that it was a conscious effort on his part to prove how easy it was to write and record a hit disco song. [5] Child confirms that he and Stanley wrote the verses together in an hour at SIR Studios, while the "Motown-influenced" chorus was penned by Stanley and Poncia after Child had left the studio. [6] Gene Simmons revealed in a 2018 interview that he always disliked the song because of his vocal part. [7]
Although Peter Criss appears in the video and on the album cover, he did not actually play on the track. As with most of the Dynasty album, session drummer Anton Fig took his place, as Poncia had deemed Criss unfit to play. There is a bootleg audio recording of the writing sessions for the song in which Stanley mentions Criss's name a couple of times, indicating he was present during the arranging of the song. [5] Stanley plays the rhythm guitar while Ace Frehley provided the guitar solo. The rumours that Gene Simmons did not play bass on the recording are incorrect; it is now confirmed by Vini Poncia and others that it is Simmons on the recording. [8] "The Return of Kiss" was how Dynasty was billed in commercials and advertisements for the album.
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" was Kiss's first songwriting collaboration with Desmond Child, who also wrote songs for the albums Animalize , Asylum , Crazy Nights , Smashes, Thrashes & Hits , and Hot in the Shade . [9] While not as drastic as the 1979 "Radio Single Mix", the length of the song is edited by some eleven seconds down to 4 minutes and 16 seconds. Like the 1979 edit, the beginning measures of the song are reduced from four to two and the harmonizing following the guitar solo is halved.
The music video of "I Was Made for Lovin' You" was filmed on June 20, 1979, in the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, Georgia, and was directed by John Goodhue. [10] After the show was canceled, [11] it was decided to use the already completed stage to film two videos. A promotional video was shot featuring the song performed on the Dynasty stage set, consisting simply of the band performing the song. [12] It was not included in the "Kissology" DVD series.
The B-side of the single is the album track "Hard Times", which was written by Ace Frehley. [13]
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" was the band's second Gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single was certified Gold in the U.S. on August 16, 1979, [14] and in Canada on August 1, 1979. [15] The song was one of the band's few singles to chart in the UK in the 1970s, peaking at No. 50.
The single reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard singles chart and No. 1 in the Canadian RPM National singles chart (the band's second chart-topping single in that country, following "Shout It Out Loud"). It further became a hit in Australia, reaching No. 2 on the Kent Music Report in 1979, and in New Zealand, topping the RIANZ Singles Chart. It also charted in Western Europe; it became a top-20 hit in Sweden, a top-10 hit in Norway, and a number-two hit in Switzerland and West Germany. In France and the Netherlands, it reached No. 1. In the UK, it stalled at number 50.
Billboard described "I Was Made for Lovin' You" as a "catchy song" which is more melodic than previous Kiss efforts and that incorporates some disco influence and "heavy guitars." [16]
Some Kiss fans dismissed it as a sell-out, with Rolling Stone magazine's David Fricke writing, "The Kiss army is going to mutiny when they hear 'I Was Made for Lovin’ You,' the disco-infected leadoff track on the Masked Marvels’ latest album. They'll demand to know why their heroes, after years of rallying the troops into battle against disco and other threatening schlock, have turned tail and joined forces with uptown popsters like producer Vini Poncia (whose soft-rock credentials include LPs by Ringo Starr and Melissa Manchester) and singer/tunesmith Desmond Child (who cowrote the offending song with Kiss’ Paul Stanley)." [17] Lance Tawzer, curator of a museum exhibit chronicling the infamous Disco Demolition Night riot of 1979, suggested this song may have helped inspire that event, telling the Chicago Tribune , "That's Kiss' disco song, 'I Was Made for Lovin' You... That's the moment when they jumped that shark." [18]
Despite the backlash, the song has become a concert staple over the years, with a different arrangement that de-emphasizes the song's disco elements. Gene Simmons [19] has stated that "I Was Made for Lovin' You" is his least favorite Kiss song, and Ace Frehley [20] [21] and Peter Criss [21] have also indicated that they dislike the song.
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [22] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [48] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [49] | Gold | 75,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [50] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI) [51] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [52] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ) [53] Digital single | Gold | 100,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI) [54] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [55] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [56] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [57] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" | ||||
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Single by Scooter | ||||
from the album No Time to Chill | ||||
A-side | "We Are the Greatest" | |||
Released | September 21, 1998 | |||
Recorded | Loop D.C. Studio 1 (Hamburg, Germany) | |||
Length | 3:28 | |||
Label | Club Tools | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Scooter singles chronology | ||||
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A cover version of the song by German musical group Scooter was released as a double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" on September 21, 1998.
Chart (1998–1999) | Peak position |
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Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [58] Double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" | 36 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [59] Double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" | 50 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [60] Double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" | 98 |
Germany (Official German Charts) [61] Double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" | 26 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [62] Double A-side with "We Are the Greatest" | 45 |
Puerto Rican boy band Menudo covered the song in Spanish as "Fui Hecho Para Amarte" on their Xanadu album during 1981. The cover also appeared on their first film, 1981's Menudo: La Pelicula. [63]
Mexican pop singer Paulina Rubio recorded the song with producer Brian Rawling for her sixth studio album, Border Girl , in 2002 at Soundtrack Studios in New York.
Rubio's version received positive reviews from critics. While reviewing Border Girl, Jose F. Promis of AllMusic selected the song as a highlight, calling it "almost unbelievably" as emblematic as the original version. [64] MTV Asia declared, "Gene Simmons and company would have died to have a groupie like her," [65] while Rolling Stone said Rubio's version "replaces the song's rollercoaster vocal howls with Rubio's sensuous purr and a dumbed-down dance beat." [66]
Rubio's first performed the song on the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica. As well, performed the song on her Amor, Luz y Sonido Tour in 2007. [67]
Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens reworked the song with vocals provided by Nile Rodgers and British vocal group House Gospel Choir (HGC). [68]
Australian singer Ricki-Lee Coulter released a version produced by DNA on March 1, 2024 as the fourth single from her fifth studio album, On My Own . [69]
British singer-songwriter Yungblud covered the song for the 2024 film The Fall Guy in April of the same year. [70]
Revenge is the sixteenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on May 19, 1992. It is the band's first album to feature drummer Eric Singer, following the death of former drummer Eric Carr in November 1991 and is the group's last album to feature musical contributions from the latter. Marking a stylistic departure from the pop-influenced glam metal which characterized much of the band's 1980s output for a heavier sound, the album reached the Top 20 in several countries, though it failed to reestablish the group back in the mainstream and its sales were equal-to or less than its predecessors, ultimately only being certified gold by the RIAA on July 20, 1992.
Killers is the second compilation album by American hard rock group Kiss. It was released only outside the US, but quickly became available as an import. Of the album's twelve songs, four were new compositions recorded specifically for it: "I'm a Legend Tonight," "Down on Your Knees," "Nowhere to Run" and "Partners in Crime." These new songs were recorded at the behest of Phonogram, in response to the commercial failure of 1981's Music from "The Elder".
Unmasked is the eighth studio album by American hard rock band Kiss, released on May 20, 1980, by Casablanca Records. It was their first not to feature original drummer and founding member Peter Criss. Despite having no involvement in its production, Criss features in the album's artwork and the video for "Shandi", and also receives credit.
Peter Criss is the first solo album by Peter Criss, the drummer of American hard rock band Kiss. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of Kiss on September 18, 1978, but yet under the Kiss label, coming out alongside Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The album was produced by Vini Poncia, who went on to produce Dynasty (1979) and Unmasked (1980) for Kiss.
Dynasty is the seventh studio album by American rock band Kiss, produced by Vini Poncia and released on May 23, 1979, by Casablanca Records.
Creatures of the Night is the tenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released in 1982. It was the band's last for Casablanca Records, the only label for which Kiss had recorded up to that point. The album was dedicated to the memory of Casablanca founder and early Kiss supporter Neil Bogart, who had died of cancer during the recording sessions. It is also the band's last album recorded with Ace Frehley credited as an official member and their first album with Vinnie Vincent, as the initially uncredited lead guitarist. Vincent would later be credited but not featured on the cover of the 1985 reissue of the album. It was also Kiss' last album to feature the band with their trademark makeup until the release of Psycho Circus in 1998.
Smashes, Thrashes & Hits is a compilation album by the American hard rock band Kiss. It was the fourth hits album overall but the second hits album released by the band in the United States. Of the 15 songs on the album, two were new compositions, and three were released after the band's unmasking in 1983. The remaining 10 were all released during the band's years in make-up.
"Beth" is a song by American rock band Kiss, originally released on their fourth studio album Destroyer (1976). Composed by drummer Peter Criss, his friend Stan Penridge and producer Bob Ezrin, the song was published as a single by Casablanca Records in August 1976, after releasing it as the B-side of "Detroit Rock City". "Beth" is Kiss's biggest commercial hit in the United States, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, receiving a Gold Record certification from the RIAA, and winning the 1977 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Song".
American hard rock band Kiss has released 20 studio albums, 13 live albums, and 60 singles. Formed in New York City in 1973, the group initially consisted of bassist Gene Simmons, rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and drummer Peter Criss; this most recognizable and successful lineup lasted until Criss' departure in 1980. The band is known for its makeup and on-stage antics, which influenced many artists who later used similar effects in their concerts.
"Rock and Roll All Nite" is a song by American rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1975 album Dressed to Kill. It was released as the A-side of their fifth single, with the album track "Getaway". The studio version of the song peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard singles chart, besting the band's previous charting single, "Kissin' Time" (#89). A subsequent live version, released as a single in October 1975, eventually reached No. 12 in early 1976, the first of six Top 20 songs for Kiss in the 1970s. "Rock and Roll All Nite" became Kiss's signature song and has served as the group's closing concert number in almost every concert since 1976. In 2008, it was named the 16th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
"Hard Luck Woman" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss and the lead single from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over. It was originally written by Paul Stanley as a possible track for Rod Stewart, but after the success of the soft rock ballad "Beth", Kiss decided to keep it for themselves as a follow-up. Stanley has stated his admiration and love of Stewart's music numerous times, and that "Hard Luck Woman" was inspired by Rod Stewart, in particular the songs "Maggie May" and "You Wear It Well". While Stewart's music served as a partial inspiration for the song, the nautical themed song "Brandy" by American pop-rock band Looking Glass served as Stanley's main inspiration.
"I Love It Loud" is a song by American rock band Kiss. It was released on their 1982 album Creatures of the Night. It was proven to be a staple of the band's live show, being performed on almost every tour the band had done aside from the Reunion and Psycho Circus tours.
"Sure Know Something" is a single by American hard rock band Kiss, released on their 1979 album Dynasty.
"Shandi" is a hit single by American hard rock band Kiss. Released on their 1980 album, Unmasked, the song was popular in Australia, where it reached number five on the Australian charts. The song would prove to be a hit in other countries as well, making the top ten in three other countries. "Shandi" peaked at number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Greatest Kiss is a greatest hits album by American hard rock band Kiss. It was released in 1997 on Mercury Records.
The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss is a compilation album that collects the 1970s output by the American rock band Kiss. It was released by Universal Music as part of their 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection series. It is the first of a trilogy of albums in the Millennium Collection series featuring material from Kiss. The second volume, which covers material from the 1980s output was released in 2004, followed by the 1990s output third installment in 2006.
"Shout It Out Loud" is a song by the American hard rock group Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album, Destroyer. It was released as the lead single off the album, and it proved to be successful, becoming the band's second single to break the Top 40, after "Rock and Roll All Nite". It was also the band's first single to top the charts, as it reached number 1 hit in Canada on May 22, 1976.
No Time to Chill is the fifth studio album by German band Scooter. It was released on 20 July 1998. It contains three singles, "How Much Is the Fish?", "We Are the Greatest/I Was Made for Lovin' You" and "Call Me Mañana". It is the first album featuring Axel Coon.
Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the film of the same name. The album was released worldwide by Mercury Records and PolyGram in 1981.
"Talk to Me" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, released in 1980 on their eighth studio album Unmasked. The song, never released as a single in the US, was released as a single worldwide on November 1, 1980. The song broke the top 40 in several countries, reaching the highest position in Switzerland, at #10. "Talk to Me" was played only when Ace Frehley was a member of the band.