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This list explores the rich tapestry of songs with “kiss” in their titles, showing how different styles and artists have interpreted this simple yet powerful word. By exploring these tracks, we highlight music’s interconnectedness across decades and genres, showing that certain themes are universally appealing.
Lita Ford’s “Kiss Me Deadly” brought an edge to the 1980s glam rock scene, becoming an anthem of rebellion and empowerment. The Muffs’ “Your Kiss” showcased their raw energy and introspection within the alt-rock movement of the 1990s. Rod Stewart’s poignant “Kiss Her For Me” offered a reflective ballad that blended regret with hope. Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s “Every Little Kiss” celebrated life’s quiet, heartfelt moments with their signature musical complexity.
Exile’s “Kiss You All Over” gave us a steamy, unforgettable ballad that dominated the charts in the late 1970s. Steam’s “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” crossed boundaries, becoming a sports anthem and an emblem of playful defiance. The Art of Noise and Tom Jones reimagined Prince’s iconic “Kiss” in spectacular fashion, giving it a whole new groove. The Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” remains a timeless girl group classic, symbolizing the innocence and joy of young love.
U2’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” fused their rock ethos with cinematic flair, becoming a defining track of the 1990s. Meanwhile, the timeless standard “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” has been reinvented by numerous artists, each adding their unique spin to this romantic gem. Together, these songs illustrate the enduring power of a single word to inspire connection, creativity, and unforgettable music.
# 10 – Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford
“Kiss Me Deadly” by Lita Ford is a quintessential anthem of the late 1980s rock scene, blending attitude, melody, and electrifying energy. Released in 1988 on her breakthrough album Lita, the track helped cement Ford’s place in rock history after her earlier work with The Runaways.
Mike Chapman produced the album, which was recorded at Record One in Los Angeles. “Kiss Me Deadly” reached number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Ford’s biggest solo hits.
Read More: Top 10 Lita Ford Songs
# 9 – The Kiss – Dweezil Zappa
Dweezil Zappa’s “The Kiss,” from his 1991 album Confessions, is a guitar-driven rock ballad that reveals another side of his musical personality. The album was produced by Zappa and Nuno Bettencourt, whose collaboration gave the record a polished hard-rock sound without losing Zappa’s instrumental identity.
“The Kiss” stands out as one of the album’s more direct and melodic songs, balancing guitar technique with a straightforward romantic lyric.
# 8 – Your Kiss – The Muffs
The Muffs’ “Your Kiss,” featured on their 1999 album Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow, showcases the band’s trademark blend of punk energy and melodic sensitivity. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Kim Shattuck, the song captures the raw, emotionally charged style that defined The Muffs’ sound.
The album was produced by Kim Shattuck and Steve Holroyd. Shattuck was joined by bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Roy McDonald, the core lineup responsible for the record’s tight, direct sound.
# 7 – Every Little Kiss – Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s “Every Little Kiss” was first released in 1986 as the lead single from the debut album The Way It Is. Written by Bruce Hornsby and produced by Hornsby and Elliot Scheiner, the track blends intricate piano work with reflective storytelling.
The song initially reached number seventy-two on the Billboard Hot 100. After the success of “The Way It Is,” “Every Little Kiss” was re-released in 1987 and climbed to number fourteen, giving the song a much larger audience the second time around.
Read More: Top 10 Bruce Hornsby Songs
# 6 – Kiss Her For Me – Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart’s “Kiss Her For Me” is one of the rarities collected on the 2009 archival box set The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998. The previously unreleased recording appears on the fourth disc of the collection and comes from Stewart’s mid-1990s studio period.
Written by Scott English and Francis Miller, the song captures the reflective side of Stewart’s catalog, with a lyric built around regret, distance, and emotional resignation.
Read More: Top 10 Rocking Rod Stewart Songs From The 1970s
# 5 – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
Few song titles span such a wide range of emotional and artistic expression as the two related yet distinct titles “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” and “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.” The first became a romantic pop standard, while the second became one of U2’s biggest soundtrack recordings.
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” – Mel Carter
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” was written by Harry Noble and first became a hit for Karen Chandler in 1952. Mel Carter’s 1965 version became the recording most closely associated with the song, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart.
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” – U2
U2’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” could not be more different in tone or delivery. Released in 1995 for the Batman Forever soundtrack, the song had its beginnings during the band’s Zooropa sessions.
The recording was produced by Nellee Hooper, Bono, and The Edge. It reached number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100, number two in the United Kingdom, and number one in Ireland and Australia.
# 4 – Kiss You All Over – Exile
“Kiss You All Over,” performed by the American band Exile, became one of the defining pop-rock hits of the late 1970s. Released in 1978 from the album Mixed Emotions, the song was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn and produced by Chapman.
The record spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 beginning in September 1978. Its blend of soft rock, pop, and disco influences gave Exile its biggest pop hit before the band later found major success in country music.
# 3 – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam
“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” recorded by Steam, became a surprise number-one hit in 1969 and remains one of the most enduring chant-driven pop anthems. Written by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo, and Dale Frashuer, the song was released on Fontana Records, a Mercury subsidiary.
Its instantly recognizable chorus helped the song outlive its original chart run and become a fixture at sporting events and other public gatherings. Bananarama later brought the song to a new generation with their 1983 cover.
# 2 – Kiss – Art Of Noise Featuring Tom Jones
The Art of Noise and Tom Jones transformed Prince’s “Kiss” into something completely different in 1988. Rather than imitate the stripped-down funk of Prince’s original, their version leaned into brass, electronic production, dramatic vocals, and the playful theatricality that suited Jones perfectly.
Produced by Anne Dudley and J.J. Jeczalik, the cover became a major international hit. It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number one in New Zealand, while also charting strongly across Europe and Australia. The recording introduced Tom Jones to a younger audience and became one of the most memorable reinventions of a Prince song.
Read More: Top 10 Tom Jones Songs
# 1 – Then He Kissed Me – The Crystals
“Then He Kissed Me,” recorded by The Crystals in 1963, remains one of the iconic girl-group recordings of the early rock and roll era. Written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry, the song was produced by Spector and released on his Philles label.
The recording’s Wall of Sound production, layered vocals, and romantic storytelling made it an immediate hit. “Then He Kissed Me” reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom.
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Updated September 30, 2026
10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Kiss’ In The Title article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026



























