BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“French Kissin” a.k.a. “French Kissin’ in the USA” is a song recorded by the American singer Debbie Harry. Released in 1986, it was the first single to be taken from her album Rockbird. It was written by Chuck Lorre, who would later create the hit television sitcoms Dharma & Greg and Two and a Half Men among others.
The song was released as the album’s first single in November 1986, and became a moderate radio hit in the US, peaking at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also Harry’s biggest success in the UK, where it reached #8 (her only solo Top 10 single there to date).
For promotion, Harry did a live performance of “French Kissin” and “In Love with Love” on Saturday Night Live, as well as a handful of television interviews in the UK and U.S. in late 1986. A music video was also made and subsequently played on video stations. Besides the regular formats 7″ and 12″ the single was also released as a limited edition 12″ picture disc in the UK.
Harry also recorded a French language version of the track which was released as the B-side of other Rockbird singles and was also included on the 1988 Blondie/Debbie Harry remix compilation Once More into the Bleach.
A cover of the song by Carol Chapman was also featured in the 1989 movie Troop Beverly Hills.
SIDE A:
French Kissin’ (Dance Mix) 7:25
Remix – Latin Rascals, The
French Kissin’ (Edit) 4:09
SIDE B:
French Kissin’ (Dub Version) 8:02
Remix – Latin Rascals, The
Rockbird (LP Version) 3:09
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | French Kissin’ | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #57 |
| 1986 | French Kissin’ | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales | #44 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – 0-20575
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Arranged By, Producer – Seth Justman
Design [Cover] – Stephen Sprouse
Layout – John Pasche
Painting [Background] – Andy Warhol
Photography By – Guzman
NOTES:
Original version on the LP “ROCKBIRD”
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Hi Paul, I enjoy a lot your work, is fantastic how your recordings sound.
Is there any chance to get a new link to this 12′?
Thank you!
What an amazing post and one that is a personal favorite of mine. I was somewhat of a fan but never became a big fan until Rockbird and this single was released.
I’m looking forward to the day that “In Love with Love” will be posted on here. Thank you very much for this post.
You’re welcome MusicdivaSF I was the same way 🙂
Yes I am. I still have a little bit of the cough and congestion but otherwise feeling much better. Appreciate the thought very much. 🙂
Great!
One of my favourites!
Thank you very much Paul!!!
A little edit:there is actually a “french-sing” by Deb version of this song!
You’re welcome Piffard. I mentioned the French version above in the song summary 🙂
Thanks.
You’re right,I skipped that part,my eyes doesn’t work as it was meant to be anymore… 🙂
I had this 12″ with a “different” art cover: same photo shoot but in full color.
*as they were meant to be
Paul this cover art is far too pale.what happened?
My 12″ has the lettering in strong orange.
Can you scan it again please?
cheers!
I don’t know what happened Sergio I scanned it several times and you see the results. I’ll try playing with it more when I have time.
Smashing Paul.I was waiting for that.I left my 12″ in another country and was crazy to listen to a good recording.I am sure you did a good job on this US 12″.
THANX!
You’re welcome and thank you Sergio 🙂
Thanks Paul for this precious rip, not easy to find on digital…this remix. As with Bryan Ferry, Debbie Harry has also little luck as a solo artist despite Blondie being totally massive in the early 80s. Blondie had three UK #1’s within the twelve months of 1980, yet Debbie only had a single solo Top 20 hit during the entire 80’s. Granted, Backfired and Rush Rush didn’t exactly have the word “HIT” written all over it, but French Kissin’ is totally commercial and immediate. It was even featured as the Single Of The Fortnight on Smash Hits magazine. Yet, only… Read more »
You are very welcome as always Ric. Thanks for your musical knowledge 🙂
I always thought In Love With Love should’ve been the lead single off Rockbird. Paul I hope you’ll post the PWL mix of ILWL soon. Thanks.
Hi Omar i’ll try to post it as soon as I can 🙂
Fantastic. I just recently bought a new NM copy of this 12″ to rip and digitally archive but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Now I can just file it away under the “D”s 🙂
Sounds like a great idea Thomas. Enjoy listening to the single 🙂
Thanks for this! I love “French Kissin'”! I have this single but didn’t have the MP3 of the dub version, so I am definitely grabbing it!
Have fun listening Ryan 🙂
Love this stuff – thanks 😎
You’re welcome Woz!
I hope People are making donations. Today I gave 12$ which is just a symbolic sum to give.
Thank you so very much Shoestring I appreciate the donation 🙂
Paul, I’m always impressed with the sound quality of your rips. And, a big Thank You for the quality scans of Debbie’s album art. All the best.
Thank you Kookoo 🙂
Thanks for this one!
You’re welcome VanceMan 🙂
ahhhhh thank you – deborah harry is an absolute goddess. blondie has been my favorite band since i’m six years old, they are like members of my family and debbie is one of the coolest people you’ll ever meet.. so chill and really funny.
do you by chance have the “in love with love” remixes from this era? i’ve been wanting those for years.
if you have them and can rip them sometime, i’ll totally pay you.
this post was a treat as i don’t have the dub version of this.. awesome.
You’rer so ver y welcome Reid Van Ness. I thought I had “In Love With Love” but I cannot find it at the moment. If I can’t locate it i’ll buy a copy.