41 Best Kiss Songs EVER

From their outlandish makeup to their outsized live shows, everything Kiss does is maximum rock and roll. Though critics often overlook their influence, their brand of metal is an essential link to modern music.

You wanted the best, you got the best – the best Kiss songs, that is!

“I Was Made For Lovin’ You”

Song year: 1979

While no one would confuse Kiss with anything other than a rock band, “I Was Made For Lovin' You” was their attempt at tapping into the disco craze that swept the '70s.

Co-written with Desmond Child, the single would sell over a million copies and chart internationally. It remains a staple of their live shows.

“I Love It Loud”

Song year: 1982

While “I Love It Loud” failed to crack the Billboard charts, it is considered one of the few classic tracks from the Kiss album Creatures of the Night. Eric Carr's drumming on track has drawn considerable praise.

The song has remained in the public's consciousness through a series of covers and features in films.

“Lick It Up”

Song year: 1983

In an attempt to modernize their aesthetic, Kiss began performing without their signature makeup in the '80s. The single and music video for “Lick It Up” was the country's first introduction to the fresh-faced rockers.

The song cracked the charts internationally and is a fan favorite. Kiss has performed the song live over a thousand times.

“Rock and Roll All Nite”

Song year: 1975

“Rock and Roll All Nite” is Kiss' signature song. While the original studio version experienced modest chart success, a live rendition released a year later would climb to the number 12 spot.

The song is considered one of the greatest hard rock songs ever and has become part of the rock and roll canon.

“Love Gun”

Song year: 1977

Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley considers “Love Gun” one of the band's best songs. The song has been played at every Kiss concert since it was released.

The song is heavily indebted to Led Zeppelin, with its classic hard rock sound and galloping rhythm.

“Beth”

Song year: 1976

The power ballad “Beth” is the most successful Kiss single ever. It cracked the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies.

The song, written by drummer Peter Criss, was not originally intended to be a single. But when radio DJs began playing the track on-air, the listener response was immediate.

“Black Diamond”

Song year: 1974

“Black Diamond” was the final track on Kiss' self-titled debut. While the song wasn't released as a single and doesn't have the bombastic production of some of their most recognized work, it is still considered a classic Kiss track.

Cover versions from bands as diverse as the Replacements and Pearl Jam have proved the influence of “Black Diamond” is wide-ranging.

“I Stole Your Love”

Song year: 1977

“I Stole Your Love” is one of Kiss' fastest, hardest rocking songs. The track combines the ragged punch of punk rock with the melodic sensibilities of classic rock.

The song is a standout on their classic 1977 album Love Gun and helped place the album at number five on the Billboard 200.

“Shout It Out Loud”

Song year: 1976

Kiss' “Shout It Out Loud” was released to capitalize on the rock anthem success of “Rock and Roll All Nite.” The song proved to be another arena rock hit, cracking the charts internationally and becoming a staple of the band's live shows.

Covers of the song vary wildly from hardcore punk to big band and have helped introduce the track to new audiences.

“Cold Gin”

Song year: 1974

While Kiss generally writes about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, “Cold Gin” proves they have a conscience, as well.

Though Kiss frames the song as a celebration of drinking in live settings, the track examines alcoholism and how it can lead to poverty and depression.

“Strutter”

Song year: 1974

“Strutter” takes the swagger of The New York Dolls and slathers it in Kiss' facepaint. While the song failed to chart, its wild guitars and attitude are quintessential Kiss.

Punk bands and string quartets have recorded versions of the song, and it is widely considered one of their best songs.

“Detroit Rock City”

Song year: 1976

“Detroit Rock City” was intended to be Kiss' third single from the Destroyer album, but its b-side “Beth” became the unlikely radio hit.

Though it failed to garner radio attention, the track became a fan favorite and a live staple. It is now considered one of Kiss' signature songs, even inspiring the 1999 film Detroit Rock City.

“Hard Luck Woman”

Song year: 1976

Paul Stanley initially wrote “Hard Luck Woman” for singer Rod Stewart, following the style of his hit “Maggie May.” But after Kiss had success with their ballad “Beth,” the band decided to record “Hard Luck Woman” themselves.

Not only is the song unique to the band's catalog, but it serves as a prime example of '70s era folk rock.

“Sure Know Something”

Song year: 1979

Kiss got in on the disco fad with their Billboard-charting disco-rock single, “Sure Know Something.” The song was their follow-up to the equally successful “I Was Made For Lovin' You,” another disco-oriented track.

While the band's popularity was beginning to wane in the US, this single was one in a line of massive hits in Australia.

“Deuce”

Song year: 1974

“Deuce” is one of the first songs that Kiss wrote and was the song that lead guitarist Ace Frehley first played while auditioning with the band.

While the song was not a single, it is one of the band's most covered and well-known songs. It has appeared on numerous live and greatest hits collections.

“Goin’ Blind”

Song year: 1974

“Goin' Blind” was the first ballad Kiss ever recorded. The song is on the band's sophomore album Hotter Than Hell.

The song concerns the generational divide between a 93-year-old and a teenager. The song was never a staple of the band's live sets but was featured on the MTV Unplugged performance.

“Shock Me”

Song year: 1977

Ace Frehley wrote “Shock Me” after being shocked by an undergrounded wire at a Kiss concert.

Though he lost feeling in his hand, Frehley still played with Kiss that night. Though harrowing at the time, the experience led to a song with one of the best guitar solos ever.

“Do You Love Me”

Song year: 1976

Kiss ends their classic album Destroyer by asking the question on their track “Do You Love Me.”

While Paul Stanley penned the question for his groupie lovers, the song serves as a fitting finale for Kiss' first album produced with big-budget rock and roll bombast.

“She”

Song year: 1975

“She” was written by members of Kiss while playing in a band called Wicked Lester. Though not until 1975, Kiss included the song in their concerts from their inception.

Though the band didn't play the song live for the majority of the '80s and '90s, the track is covered extensively and is a favorite for its traditional heavy metal riff.

“God of Thunder”

Song year: 1976

“God of Thunder” serves as Kiss bassist Gene Simmons' time to shine as he not only sings the song but turns it into a full-blown character study.

The live performance of this four-minute track stretches to twice that length as Simmons theatrically spits blood from a high-rise above the audience before taking a bass solo.

“Calling Dr. Love”

Song year: 1974

Gene Simmons was inspired to write “Calling Dr. Love” by a Three Stooges movie. The resulting single would reach number 16 on the US Billboard charts and number 2 in Canada.

The song has become ingrained in pop culture, thanks to features in the movies Detroit Rock City and Magic Mike.

“Plaster Caster”

Song year: 1977

Kiss wrote “Plaster Caster” as an homage to the famous rockstar groupie Cynthia “Plaster Caster” Albritton. Albritton is notorious for creating plaster casts of musicians' genitals.

While Kiss themselves were some of the biggest rock stars of their day, they never participated in the Albritton ritual.

“God Gave Rock and Roll to You II”

Song year: 1991

Kiss covered the Argent song “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” with slight lyrical tweaks for the movie Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.

Their version, titled “God Gave Rock ‘n' Roll to You II,” would be their last recording to feature drummer Eric Carr. He would die three months later of cancer. The song is a fitting farewell from a rock and roll lifer.

“New York Groove” by Ace Freely

Song year: 1978

The members of Kiss released four solo records simultaneously in 1978. Though the only one of these albums to receive any real commercial traction was Ace Frehley's. This success was due to his cover of Hello's glam-pop song, “Back in the New York Groove.”

The single would peak at number 13 on the Billboard charts and eventually find a second life in the '00s in film and television.

“Christine Sixteen”

Song year: 1977

“Christine Sixteen” was controversial upon its release, with many radio stations refusing to play the track or only playing it after dark. Despite the song's controversy, it would be another Billboard charting single for Kiss.

The track would find a second life after its use as a sample for Tone Loc on his hip-hop hit, “Funky Cold Medina.”

“Hotter Than Hell”

Song year: 1974

Paul Stanley wrote “Hotter Than Hell” as an homage to the Free song “All Right Now.” The two tracks are very similar, though Kiss' version has more of their trademark heavy metal influence.

“Hotter Than Hell” appeared as a B-side to the single “Let Me Go, Rock ‘n' Roll.” Several of the band's greatest hits collections feature the song.

“C’mon and Love Me”

Song year: 1975

Paul Stanley, inspired by the tale of Don Juan, wrote the song “C'mon and Love Me” in under an hour. This sleazy take on romance is par for the course for Kiss and serves as the primary theme for the band's image as highly sexualized rock stars.

“C'mon and Love Me” would fail to crack the Billboard charts, but the song is a fan favorite.

“Got To Choose”

Song year: 1974

“Got to Choose” is the first track on Kiss' sophomore album Hotter than Hell. It's a raw slice of proto-punk that kicks off one of the band's most underrated records.

The song's lyrics are simple, and its guitars are loud. Simply put, it just rocks. Though “Got to Choose” was not a single, it's a favorite of die-hard Kiss fans.

“I Want You”

Song year: 1976

To get the proper drum sound on “I Want You,” Peter Criss recorded all of his rhythm tracks in a bathroom. This dedication to sound helped smooth the punkier edges of the band's rock impulses into platinum-selling albums.

“I Want You” is the first track on Rock and Roll Over, one in a string of million-copy selling Kiss records.

“Forever”

Song year: 1989

By the end of the '80s, Kiss had not only taken off their makeup but had dedicated themselves to pop balladry. “Forever” was co-written by pop heavy-weight Michael Bolton.

The resulting acoustic guitar ballad hit number 8 on the Billboard charts, becoming their highest charting single since 1979.

“Let Me Know”

Song year: 1974

“Let Me Know” was the first song Paul Stanley played for Gene Simmon when the future bandmates met. The song sparked a creative partnership that would eventually lead to the formation of Kiss.

As an early Kiss song, the track is less bombastic and owes more to '70s boogie rock bands like Grand Funk Railroad.

“Let’s Put the X in Sex”

Song year: 1988

“Let's Put the X in Sex” was written for the Kiss greatest hits collection Smashes, Thrashes & Hits. The song signaled a shift in direction for the band, relying heavily on keyboards and an '80s pop beat.

The song would fail to make much of an impression on the radio but stands as an interesting example of Kiss weathering the changing tides of music's mainstream.

“Parasite”

Song year: 1974

“Parasite” is another example of the harder-rocking side of Kiss. With a smaller recording budget, the track sounds lean and punkish.

While Kiss would go on to embody the dangers of rock and roll through stage theatrics, songs like “Parasite” are a reminder that the band could sound just as evil as they looked.

“Room Service”

Song year: 1975

Paul Stanley penned the hard-driving Kiss song “Room Service” about the band's experiences on the road. Namely, the blur of traveling from hotel to hotel with girls in tow.

Kiss never shies away from their rock and roll excess, and “Room Service” is an early example of what would become an overblown style of rock and roll posturing by the band.

“King of the Night Time World”

Song year: 1976

“King of the Night Time World” starts with a car crash and wildly screeching guitar note by Ace Frehley. For the next three minutes, Kiss doesn't let up in its barrage of rock and roll tropes.

Though the song did not receive a proper release as a single, it remains a highlight from the band's classic album Destroyer.

“Makin’ Love”

Song year: 1976

Paul Stanley is all revved up and ready to go on Kiss' “Makin' Love.” The band's reputation as hard-loving rock stars preceded them, but that didn't stop them from writing about it.

With a blistering guitar solo and to-the-point chorus, “Makin' Love” became a staple of the band's '80s live performances due to the glam metal-esque lyrical content.

“Rocket Ride”

Song year: 1977

“Rocket Ride” was the only new song included in Kiss' live album Alive II. The Ace Frehley song was initially written for the album Love Gun but did not make the final record.

The song is notable for not including Gene Simmons. Instead, Ace Frehley takes over bass duties. “Rocket Ride” would mark the seventh time Kiss cracked the top 40 of the Billboard charts.

“Wouldn’t You Like to Know Me” by Paul Stanley

Song year: 1978

Paul Stanley's “solo” album contained a few Kiss-esque songs that deserved greater recognition than they received at the time. In particular, the glam-pop song “Wouldn't You Like to Know Me” sounds like a number one hit from an alternate world.

With its catchy chorus slinky guitar lines, the song fits in with late '70s power pop darlings Cheap Trick and The Knack.

“Shandi”

Song year: 1980

“Shandi” found Kiss once again dipping into their bag of power ballad tricks. Thanks to its infectious chorus and disco beat, the song would become an international hit.

Paul Stanley sings about two lovers intertwined in a toxic relationship on the song, with a bed of shimmering guitars guiding the way. As Kiss songs go, this is as sweet as it gets.

“Dark Light”

Song year: 1981

The Kiss album Music from “The Elder” is one of the biggest flops in rock and roll history. The concept record for a nonexistent movie was beset by drug abuse and confusion from fans. The album was a critical and commercial flop.

But the song “Dark Light” is a bright spot. Though Kiss has disavowed the record, there's no denying that “Dark Light” rocks as hard as any early Kiss single.

“War Machine”

Song year: 1982

Gene Simmons takes his macho rock posturing to the next level on “War Machine.” One of the hardest rocking tracks on Creatures of the Night, the song takes a straight-ahead rhythm and riff combo and uses it as a rock and roll battering ram.

Ironically, this hard-charging rock song was written by pop singer-songwriter Bryan Adams.

Top Kiss Songs, Final Thoughts

Through makeup, band member shake-ups, crazy stage pyrotechnics, and millions of records sold worldwide, Kiss has always dedicated itself to rock and roll – all night and every day.

Whether you're a devotee of the Kiss Army or just finding out about these face-painted comic book rock and roll heroes come to life, we hope you enjoyed our list of the best Kiss songs.  Next stop: Detroit rock city!