Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 26 May 1987 [1] | |||
Recorded | 1986–1987 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 74:35 | |||
Label | Fiction | |||
Producer | ||||
The Cure chronology | ||||
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Singles from Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [6] |
Blender | [7] |
Chicago Sun-Times | [8] |
Los Angeles Times | [9] |
Pitchfork | 9.4/10 [10] |
Q | [11] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [12] |
Sounds | [13] |
Uncut | [14] |
The Village Voice | B [15] |
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 26 May 1987 by Fiction Records. The album was recorded at Studio Miraval in Correns, France. [16]
The album helped bring the Cure into the American mainstream, becoming the band's first album to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200 chart and achieving platinum certification. Like its predecessor, The Head on the Door , it was also a great international success, reaching the top 10 in numerous countries.
In 2000, the album was voted number 256 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums . [17]
In a contemporary review, Mark Coleman of Rolling Stone praised the album for its developed sound saying "The Cure is trying to deepen and refine an existing sensibility rather than reach outward to expand it". [18]
Chris Willman of Los Angeles Times observed, "For all its unevenness, “Kiss Me” is a welcome step away from the existential gloom-monster image the Cure has cultivated. The band still sounds like the Velvet Underground meeting Emo Philips in a dimly lit post-punk disco, but with an even wider variety of influences and instrumentation in the mix.", but was critical of the songs with longer running times, citing "Why Can't I Be You?" and "Just Like Heaven" as highlights. [19]
In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that the record was "more accessible and ambitious". However, he nuanced :"Even if Kiss Me doesn't quite gel, its best moments... are remarkable and help make the album one of the group's very best." [20]
Slant Magazine was mostly positive of the album saying "with Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, the Cure gives the listener the kind of roller-coaster rush that only great pop can provide." [21]
Directly after wrapping filming in August 1986 for The Cure in Orange , the band embarked on a spontaneous week-long holiday in Le Mourillon before moving on to Jean Costa's studio in Draguignan for a two-week pre-production session to refine demos recorded earlier that summer in London. Smith recounted that the demos were the result of soliciting each band member for their own musical ideas and getting "six or seven songs from each one" on a series of cassettes, before winnowing down to a shortlist via full-band vote, marking a shift from Smith's previous top-down control over composition. [22] [23]
After Draguignan, The Cure decamped to the residential setting of Studio Miraval for the three-month album recording session, where according to Smith they emphasized spontaneity, "almost jamming the songs to get the right feel" and recording in one or two takes with minimal rehearsal. The band decided during the course of the session that they had an adequate surplus of strong material to justify releasing a double LP. Smith mixed the album with co-producer David M. Allen and engineer Michel Dierickx during sessions in December 1986 (Compass Point, Bahamas) and January 1987 (ICP Recording Studios, Belgium), respectively. [22] [23] [24]
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me was released on 26 May 1987 by Fiction Records in the UK and by Elektra in the US and Canada. Though a double album in its vinyl issue, it was released as a single CD and single cassette. One track, "Hey You!!!", was omitted from the original CD release because of the 74:33 Red Book CD time restriction, but was included on all cassette releases. A limited vinyl edition came with a bonus six-track, orange 12" featuring the songs "Sugar Girl", "Snow in Summer", "Icing Sugar" (Weird Remix), "A Japanese Dream", "Breathe" and "A Chain of Flowers." [25]
The album appeared in August 2006 in both single-disc and deluxe double-disc CD editions as part of a Cure reissue campaign. All editions notably included "Hey You!!!", marking the first time a complete version of the album was made available on CD. The second disc of the deluxe edition is composed of demos and live versions of album tracks, including a recording of "Why Can't I Be You?" from the final show of the Kissing Tour at the Wembley Arena. [25] Robert Smith stated on his website that there was so much material to draw from that he initially compiled a three-disc edition, with the third disc containing alternate studio versions of the album's songs. However, after discussing with family and friends, he decided that the two-disc edition was a better choice for release. Smith said that it was possible that his proposed third disc may surface as a leak or in a future release. [26]
All lyrics are written by Robert Smith; all music is composed by the Cure (Smith, Simon Gallup, Porl Thompson, Lol Tolhurst and Boris Williams)
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "The Kiss" | 6:17 |
2. | "Catch" | 2:42 |
3. | "Torture" | 4:13 |
4. | "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep" | 4:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Why Can't I Be You?" | 3:11 |
2. | "How Beautiful You Are..." | 5:10 |
3. | "The Snakepit" | 6:56 |
4. | "Hey You!!!" | 2:22 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Just Like Heaven" | 3:30 |
2. | "All I Want" | 5:18 |
3. | "Hot Hot Hot!!!" | 3:32 |
4. | "One More Time" | 4:29 |
5. | "Like Cockatoos" | 3:38 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Icing Sugar" | 3:48 |
2. | "The Perfect Girl" | 2:34 |
3. | "A Thousand Hours" | 3:21 |
4. | "Shiver and Shake" | 3:26 |
5. | "Fight" | 4:27 |
Total length: | 74:35 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Kiss (RS Home Demo 3/86) Instrumental" | 3:40 |
2. | "The Perfect Girl (Beethoven St. Studio Demo 6/86) Instrumental" | 3:26 |
3. | "Like Cockatoos (Beethoven St. Studio Demo 6/86) Instrumental" | 2:11 |
4. | "All I Want (Beethoven St. Studio Demo 6/86) Instrumental" | 3:33 |
5. | "Hot Hot Hot!!! (Beethoven St. Studio Demo 6/86) Instrumental" | 3:49 |
6. | "Shiver and Shake (Jean Costas Studio Demo 8/86) Instrumental" | 2:55 |
7. | "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep (Jean Costas Studio Demo 8/86) Instrumental" | 3:16 |
8. | "Just Like Heaven (Jean Costas Studio Demo 8/86) Instrumental" | 3:26 |
9. | "Hey You! (Jean Costas Studio Demo 8/86) Instrumental" | 2:32 |
10. | "A Thousand Hours (Miraval Studio Guide Vocal/Rough Mix 10/86)" | 3:27 |
11. | "Icing Sugar (Miraval Studio Guide Vocal/Rough Mix 10/86)" | 3:20 |
12. | "One More Time (Miraval Studio Guide Vocal/Rough Mix 10/86)" | 4:36 |
13. | "How Beautiful You Are ... (Live Bootleg – County Bowl Santa Barbara 7/87)" | 5:22 |
14. | "The Snakepit (Live Bootleg – County Bowl Santa Barbara 7/87)" | 7:30 |
15. | "Catch (Live Bootleg – NEC Birmingham 12/87)" | 2:32 |
16. | "Torture (Live Bootleg – NEC Birmingham 12/87)" | 4:04 |
17. | "Fight (Live Bootleg audience recording – Bercy Paris 12/87)" | 4:30 |
18. | "Why Can't I Be You? (Live Bootleg audience recording – Wembley Arena London 12/87)" | 7:43 |
The Cure
Guest musician
Production
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
France (SNEP) [47] | Gold | 100,000* |
Portugal (AFP) [48] | Gold | 20,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [49] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [50] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 2,000,000 [51] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1976 in Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member, though bassist Simon Gallup has been present for all but about three years of the band's history. Their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys (1979), along with several early singles, placed the band at the forefront of the emerging post-punk and new wave movements that were gaining prominence in the United Kingdom. Beginning with their second album, Seventeen Seconds (1980), the band adopted a new, increasingly dark and tormented style, which, together with Smith's stage look, had a strong influence on the emerging genre of gothic rock as well as the goth subculture that eventually formed around the genre.
Three Imaginary Boys is the debut studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 11 May 1979 by Fiction Records. It was later released in the United States, Canada, and Australia with a different track listing as a compilation album titled Boys Don't Cry.
Disintegration is the eighth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 2 May 1989 by Fiction Records. The band recorded the album at Hookend Recording Studios in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, with co-producer David M. Allen from late 1988 to early 1989.
Faith is the third studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 17 April 1981 by Fiction Records. The album saw the band continuing in the gloomy vein of their previous effort Seventeen Seconds (1980). This stylistic theme would conclude with their next album Pornography (1982).
Wish is the ninth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 21 April 1992 by Fiction Records in the United Kingdom and Elektra Records in the United States. Wish was the most commercially successful album in the band's career, debuting at number one in the UK and number two in the US, where it sold more than 1.2 million copies.
Bloodflowers is the eleventh studio album by English rock band The Cure. It was first released in Japan on 2 February 2000, before being released in the UK and Europe on 14 February 2000 and then the day after in the US by Fiction Records and Polydor Records. Initially the album was to be released in 1999, as it had been completed by May that year, the record company wanted it to be released “post millennial fever,”.
Pornography is the fourth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 4 May 1982 by Fiction Records. Preceded by the non-album single "Charlotte Sometimes", it was the band's first album with new producer Phil Thornalley, and was recorded at RAK Studios from January to April 1982. The sessions saw the band on the brink of collapse, with heavy drug use, band in-fighting, and frontman Robert Smith's depression fueling the album's musical and lyrical content. Pornography represents the conclusion of the Cure's early dark, gloomy musical phase, which began with their second album Seventeen Seconds (1980).
The Top is the fifth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 4 May 1984 by Fiction Records. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number ten on 12 May. Shortly after its release, the Cure embarked on a major tour of the United Kingdom, culminating in a three-night residency at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
The Head on the Door is the sixth studio album by English rock band the Cure. It was released on 30 August 1985 by Fiction Records. Preceded by the single "In Between Days" which had reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart, The Head on the Door was described by Melody Maker as "a collection of pop songs". With its variety of styles, it allowed the group to reach a wider audience in both Europe and North America. In the United Kingdom it became their most successful album to date, entering the albums chart at No. 7 on 7 September.
Galore: The Singles 1987–1997 is the second singles compilation by The Cure and was released on 28 October 1997. It contains singles from the years 1987–1997. The song "Wrong Number" is the only new song on the album.
Mixed Up is a remix album by English rock band the Cure, released on 20 November 1990 by Fiction Records. The songs are remixes of some of their hits, reflecting the popularity of remixing of existing songs and dance culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2018, a sequel was released titled Torn Down.
Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by English rock band the Cure. It was first released in Japan on 7 November 2001, before being released in the UK and Europe on 12 November and then in the US the day after. The band's relationship with longtime label Fiction Records came to a close, and the Cure were obliged to release one final album for the label. Lead singer Robert Smith agreed to release a greatest hits album under the condition that he could choose the tracks himself. The band also recorded a special studio album released as a bonus disc to some versions of the album. The disc, titled Acoustic Hits, consists of the eighteen songs from the North American release re-recorded using acoustic instruments.
Show is a live album released in 1993 by the British alternative rock band the Cure. It was recorded live over two nights at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan in 1992, during the successful Wish tour. Show was also released as a concert video.
The Seeds of Love is the third studio album by English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 25 September 1989 by Fontana Records. It retained the band's epic sound while incorporating influences ranging from jazz and soul to Beatlesque pop. Its lengthy production and scrapped recording sessions cost over £1 million. The album spawned the title hit single "Sowing the Seeds of Love", as well as "Woman in Chains", and "Advice for the Young at Heart", both of which reached the top 40 in several countries.
Standing on a Beach is a greatest hits album by English rock band the Cure, released in the United States on 15 May 1986 by Elektra Records and in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1986 by Fiction Records, marking a decade since the band's founding in 1976. The album's titles are both taken from the opening lyrics of the Cure's debut single, "Killing an Arab".
Death to the Pixies is a compilation album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released by 4AD in the UK on October 6, 1997, and 4AD/Elektra the following day in the United States to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the band's debut. It covered the years 1987 to 1991. It is now out of print, having been replaced by the 2004 compilation Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies. A limited edition of the compilation also included a second CD with a live performance taken from Vredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands on September 25, 1990.
"Why Can't I Be You?" is a song by the English rock band the Cure, released as the lead single on the 6 April 1987 from their album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
"Just Like Heaven" is a song by British alternative rock band the Cure. The group wrote most of the song during recording sessions in southern France in 1987. The lyrics were written by their frontman Robert Smith, who drew inspiration from a past trip to the sea shore with his future wife. Smith's memories of the trip formed the basis for the song's accompanying music video. Before Smith had completed the lyrics, an instrumental version of the song was used as the theme for the French television show Les Enfants du Rock.
"Hot Hot Hot!!!" is a single by British rock band the Cure released on 8 February 1988. It is taken from their 1987 album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. The song reached number 45 in the UK, whereas it was more successful in Ireland where it reached number 18, and in Spain where it reached the Top 10.
Kiss Me's worldwide sales standing at two million...