Kisses on the Wind

Last updated
"Kisses on the Wind"
KissesontheWindNenehC.png
Single by Neneh Cherry
from the album Raw Like Sushi
B-side "Buffalo Blues"
Released1989
Studio Matrix (London, England)
Length3:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Neneh Cherry singles chronology
"Manchild"
(1989)		"Kisses on the Wind"
(1989)		"Heart" / "Inna City Mamma"
(1989)
Music video
"Kisses on the Wind" on YouTube

"Kisses on the Wind" is the third single released from Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry's debut album, Raw Like Sushi (1989). Like many songs on the album, "Kisses on the Wind" refers to Cherry's schooldays; the song is about a girl who matures before the other girls do, and as a result, she is the first to draw boys' attentions. [1] It peaked within the top 10 in Finland, New Zealand, and Switzerland and just reached the top 20 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 20. In the United States, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

"Kisses on the Wind" is one of many songs containing the sample "What we're gonna do right here is go back, way back, back into time" from the intro of the 1972 single "Troglodyte" by the Jimmy Castor Bunch.

Critical reception

Angus Taylor for BBC wrote in an retrospective review, that the "Cuban-tinged" song's autobiographical words "give an intriguing insight into a young girl who wanted to be remembered for more than just her incredible looks." [2] Upon the release, Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as a "Latin- tinged pop narrative complete with Cherry's spunk, humor, and knack for telling it like it really is." [3] A reviewer from Music & Media felt it's a good choice as the follow-up to "Manchild", and "probably the most commercial track" from her debut album. [4]

David Giles from Music Week complimented it as "precocious", adding that the song isn't as strong as her previous two singles, "but should still follow them into the top 10." He noted that "Kisses on the Wind" "begins with an outburst in Spanish and locks into a naked, sparse groove like a soul number with the bottom removed." [5] Lesley Chow from The Quietus declared it as "a paean to a girl whose breeziness enchants the young neighbourhood boys. Her presence is reflected in the salsa rhythm, Spanish dialogue and the flowing feel of the whole song. The melody keeps billowing upwards (More like a woman, she walks like one) and is thus subtly suggestive of the female shape." [6]

Track listings

Charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [21] 63
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [22] 23
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [23] 17
Canada Dance/Urban ( RPM ) [24] 5
Canada Retail Singles (RPM) [25] 14
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [26] 33
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [27] 4
Ireland (IRMA) [28] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [29] 14
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [30] 14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [31] 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [32] 9
UK Singles (OCC) [33] 20
US Billboard Hot 100 [34] 8
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [35] 19
US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [36] 9
West Germany (Official German Charts) [37] 23

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United States1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Virgin
Europe31 July 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • Circa
  • Virgin
 [22]
Japan21 February 1990CD [38]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perfect (Fairground Attraction song)</span> 1988 single by Fairground Attraction

"Perfect" is the debut single by the English folk and soft rock band Fairground Attraction, written by Mark E. Nevin. Released on 21 March 1988 by RCA, the single reached number one in the United Kingdom on 14 May 1988, where it stayed for one week. It also reached number one in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa. In the United States, the song peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Perfect" won the award for British Single of the Year at the Brit Awards 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever Your Girl (song)</span> 1989 single by Paula Abdul

"Forever Your Girl" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul from her debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988). The song was written and produced by Oliver Leiber, with additional production by Keith "K.C." Cohen. Virgin Records released it as the album's fourth single on February 20, 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What I Am</span> 1988 single by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

"What I Am" is a song written by Edie Brickell and Kenny Withrow and recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians for their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (1988). The song is highlighted by a guitar solo that notably features an envelope filter. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart, and became a top-20 hit in Australia and New Zealand. "What I Am" was ranked number 23 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s".

"Breakfast in Bed" is a soul–R&B song written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts for Dusty Springfield. It takes a knowing spin on the line "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", the title of a song that had previously been a number one hit for her in the UK. After being released on her 1969 album Dusty in Memphis, it was recorded and popularized the same year by Baby Washington. Harry J produced three reggae versions in 1972, by Lorna Bennett, Scotty, and Bongo Herman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Hearted</span> 1989 single by Paula Abdul

"Cold Hearted" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul, released in June 1989 as the fifth single from her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988). It was written and co-produced by Elliot Wolff and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the album's third song to top the US chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circle in the Sand</span> 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"Circle in the Sand" is a song recorded by American singer Belinda Carlisle for her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). It was written by Rick Nowels, who also produced it, and Ellen Shipley. "Circle in the Sand" was the third single released from Heaven on Earth in May 1988. It reached number seven, becoming Carlisle's fourth and last top-10 hit in the United States. It also charted at number five in Canada, ending the year as the country's 69th-most-successful single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooms on Fire</span> 1989 single by Stevie Nicks

"Rooms on Fire" is a song by American singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks from her fourth solo studio album The Other Side of the Mirror (1989). Written by Nicks and Rick Nowels, and produced by Rupert Hine, the song was released on April 24, 1989, by the Modern label, as the lead single from The Other Side of the Mirror. The 12-inch single was released in a limited-edition poster sleeve in certain territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Love (Jody Watley song)</span> 1989 single by Jody Watley

"Real Love" is a song by American singer Jody Watley from her second studio album, Larger Than Life (1989). The single reached the number-one spot on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles and Dance Club Play charts. On the US Billboard Hot 100, "Real Love" peaked at number two for two weeks in May 1989. The song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Female Single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Alive (Love and Rockets song)</span> 1989 single by Love and Rockets

"So Alive" is a song by British alternative rock band Love and Rockets, released in 1989 as the second single from their self-titled fourth album. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and charted within the top 30 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for five weeks and was ranked No. 1 on that listing's year-end chart for 1989. The song's music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and produced by Pamela James.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Promise of a New Day</span> 1991 single by Paula Abdul

"The Promise of a New Day" is the opening track and second single from American artist Paula Abdul's second studio album, Spellbound (1991). The song was written by Paula Abdul, Peter Lord and V. Jeffrey Smith. It became Abdul's sixth and final number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Stance</span> 1988 single by Neneh Cherry

"Buffalo Stance" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, released in November 1988 by Circa and Virgin as the first single from the singer's debut album, Raw Like Sushi (1989). The song peaked at No. 3 on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, and it reached No. 1 in the Netherlands and in Cherry's native Sweden. An early version of the song appeared as the B-side on the 1986 Stock, Aitken, and Waterman-produced single "Looking Good Diving" by duo Morgan-McVey, which was made up of Jamie Morgan and Cherry's future husband Cameron McVey. The song, titled "Looking Good Diving with the Wild Bunch", was sung by Cherry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girlfriend (Pebbles song)</span> 1987 single by Perri "Pebbles" Reid

"Girlfriend" is a song by American singer Pebbles from her 1987 self-titled debut studio album. Written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, "Girlfriend" was released as the album's lead single on October 26, 1987, by record label MCA. The song charted in several countries, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 10 in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Get Weak</span> 1988 single by Belinda Carlisle

"I Get Weak" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). Written by Diane Warren and produced by Rick Nowels, the song was released as the second single from Heaven on Earth in January 1988. "I Get Weak" reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, number four on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart, and number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush Hour (Jane Wiedlin song)</span> 1988 single by Jane Wiedlin

"Rush Hour" is a song by American musician Jane Wiedlin, taken from her second album, Fur (1988). It was backed by the album track "End of Love". The UK 12-inch single of "Rush Hour" includes an extended remix by Rusty Garner and an instrumental version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocks (song)</span> 1994 single by Primal Scream

"Rocks" is a song by Scottish rock band Primal Scream, taken from their fourth studio album, Give Out But Don't Give Up (1994). This song was the first indication of Primal Scream's change in musical style, when compared to their previous album, 1991's Screamadelica, which featured dance leanings. "Rocks" features a more classic rock structure inspired by artists such as T. Rex, the Rolling Stones, and Faces. Faces singer Rod Stewart would later cover the song himself, including it on his 1998 album When We Were the New Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Help</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Heaven Help" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in August 1993 as the third single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song made a brief appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 92. In the United Kingdom, it became his second top-twenty hit from Are You Gonna Go My Way, peaking at number 20, and in Canada and New Zealand, the song reached the top 30. It was later included on Kravitz' compilation album Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lover in Me (song)</span> 1988 single by Sheena Easton

"The Lover in Me" is a song by Scottish singer Sheena Easton for her ninth studio album of the same name (1988). Released as the album's lead single on 11 October 1988, the song became Easton's first top-20 hit in the United Kingdom after a seven-year hiatus. The song was also Easton's final top-10 single on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The War Song</span> 1984 single by Culture Club

"The War Song" is a song by British band Culture Club, featuring background vocals from Clare Torry. It was released as the lead single from the band's third album, Waking Up with the House on Fire (1984), in September 1984. The song became the group's seventh top-five hit on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the single peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Elsewhere, it reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, Canada, and Ireland, peaking at number one in the latter country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchild (song)</span> 1989 single by Neneh Cherry

"Manchild" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, released in May 1989 by Virgin and Circa as the second single from her debut album, Raw Like Sushi (1989). It was the first song Cherry wrote; she composed it on a Casio keyboard using an auto-chord setting and ended up with seven chords in the verse alone. Neneh's stepfather Don Cherry commented on this positively, comparing it to a jazz song structure. Nellee Hooper created the beat for the song and wrote the rap with Robert Del Naja. Cherry then gave the track to her future husband, Cameron McVey, who helped to shape the song with the parts and "made it make sense".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman (Neneh Cherry song)</span> 1996 single by Neneh Cherry

"Woman" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry from her third studio album, Man (1996). Written by Cherry, her husband Cameron McVey, and Jonathan Sharp, the song was created as a take on American singer James Brown's 1966 hit "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". The song's lyrics describe the difficulties women face in life, allowing Cherry to be seen as an empowering female recording artist. Released on 22 July 1996, "Woman" became a chart hit in Europe and Australia, reaching the top 10 in Finland, Hungary, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the Wallonia region of Belgium.

References

  1. ↑ "Kisses On The Wind by Neneh Cherry". Songfacts. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Raw Like Sushi Review". BBC. 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Coleman, Bill (29 July 1989). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 69. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 19 August 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Giles, David (5 August 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 23. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Chow, Lesley (12 May 2014). "Disorientating Eclecticism: Neneh Cherry's Raw Like Sushi Revisited". The Quietus . Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. 112 550.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (UK cassette single cassette notes). Neneh Cherry. Circa Records. 1989. YRC 33.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. 612 550-213.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. YRT 33.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (European maxi-CD single disc notes). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. YRCDT 33.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (UK 12-inch remix single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Circa Records. 1989. YRTX 33.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (UK CD single liner notes). Neneh Cherry. Circa Records. 1989. YRTXT 33, 662 603-211.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records. 1989. 96532-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. VSX 1504.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records. 1989. 7-99183.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (Canadian 7-inch single vinyl disc). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. VS1504.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (US cassette single sleeve). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records. 1989. 7-99183-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (Canadian cassette single cassette notes). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1989. 99183-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Kisses on the Wind (Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes). Neneh Cherry. Virgin Records, Circa Records. 1990. VJCP-1402.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 17 January 2014". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Neneh Cherry – Kisses on the Wind" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6606." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  24. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6577." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  25. ↑ "Top RPM Retail: Issue 6571". RPM . Retrieved 12 March 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  26. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 36. 9 September 1989. p. V. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  27. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  28. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kisses on the Wind". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  29. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  30. ↑ "Neneh Cherry – Kisses on the Wind" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  31. ↑ "Neneh Cherry – Kisses on the Wind". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  32. ↑ "Neneh Cherry – Kisses on the Wind". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  34. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  35. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  36. ↑ "Neneh Cherry Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  37. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neneh Cherry – Kisses on the Wind" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  38. ↑ "キッシズ・オン・ザ・ウインド | ネナ・チェリー" [Kisses on the Wind | Neneh Cherry] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 24 March 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.