Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986
“Kiss” is a song composed, written, and produced by American musician Prince. Released by the Paisley Park label as the lead single from Prince and the Revolution’s eighth studio album, Parade (1986), on February 5, 1986, it was a No. 1 hit worldwide, holding the top spot of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks. The single was certified gold in 1986 for shipments of 1,000,000 copies by RIAA.
The song is ranked at No. 85 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2021, No. 464 in 2010, and No. 461 in 2004. NME ranked the song at No. 4 in their list of The 150 Greatest Singles of All Time,and voted “Kiss” the best single of 1986.
Following Prince’s death in April 2016, the song re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 28 and jumped to No. 23 a week later. The song also reached No. 2 on the French Singles Chart. As of April 30, 2016, it has sold 1.33 million digital copies in the U.S.
Age of Chance and Art of Noise also released versions of the song that were critical and chart successes.
SIDE A:
Kiss (Extended Version) 7:14
Arranged By – David Z.
Backing Vocals – Mazarati
Producer, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Written-By – Prince
SIDE B:
Love Or Money (Extended Version) 6:51
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince And The Revolution
Written-By – Prince And The Revolution
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Kiss | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1986 | Kiss | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #1 |
| 1986 | Kiss | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label Paisley Park – 9 20442-0 A, Paisley Park – 0-20442
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Specialty Records Corporation Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Funk
NOTES:
Original version of “Kiss” available on the 4thcoming album Parade, Music From The Warner Bros. motion picture Under The Cherry Moon .
Made in USA.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable:Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you Paul for this transfer. It should be noted that the center label on the actual record has really great design, and it shows the overall theme of ‘black and white’. Would have loved to also have seen a scan of both sides included with the cover scans. But alas, thanks again for your efforts. Hope to see more new 2023 Prince and associated artists re-transfers!
What an awesome week.Thank you Paul.
Started with Chico and ended with Prince. A bit of Janet and Cameo in between.It was by far the best week since I’ve joined BTG.
Thank you Toxicaudio so glad to hear that you enjoyed the music 🙂
YESSSS! Thanks a ton! I have this on vinyl but have never had a digital copy until now, especially of the b-side. Much appreciated sir !!
You’re welcome, Grant 🙂
I concur with Grant, although I did have the A side on CD a couple ways, and I did do my own transfer from the 12” years ago, yours ALWAYS knock it out of the park! (This time a Paisley one). It still befuddles me the b-side, one of his best, did not make the Hits box set…
Can anybody here identify the lady on the rear cover?
There’s a lovely, timeless quality in her portrait, considering this 12″ was released almost 40 years ago.
It’s Wendy Melvoin, guitarist from The Revolution. Watch the promo video on youtube, she’s prominent in that too.
OK, I’ve heard of her, knew she was in the backing band, but I’ve never actually seen her. And now I know 🙂
Thanks for that info.
Aside from Purple Rain, I’ve only dabbled a little with Prince’s music. I remember I had another of his CDs, The Gold Experience (??) years ago, and long before he passed.
The only Kiss version from Prince that I’m familiar with was covered by Tom Jones, and that was good enough to pique my interest in hearing the original. Must. Have. More. Prince!
Ear Candy never sounded so good 😉
Thank you, PaulT, for sharing this exciting cut.
You’re welcome, Muff Diver 🙂
I like the long song of “You Got The Look” with some lady singing in the middle of it! It’s really swell!
Sheena Easton
Oh my you must do a deep dive into Prince’s music and side projects. It’s endless…. Prince is my all time favorite hands down.
Great track, Paul! I always admired that most of Prince’s remixes were basically just re-sung or edited-down pieces of much longer recording studio time and often had the feeling it was recorded live or in 1 take. A treat for everyone here: Scratch Bastid is my idol…check out this quick scratch-a-thon of Kiss. It starts at 0:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJphpVT5WQ If you like his work, search for his scratch of David Bowie and prepare to be blown away. Enjoy the weekend!!
Thanks, Fred looking forward to watching. Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Hell Yes!!! Fred, this is absolutely brilliant!!! Just watched it and I am amazed!! Thank you for this eye and ear treat!!!
(AGAIN!) Love the mix you shared as well. Thank you!!!
Jeff
Thanks for sharing! “Kiss’ is a swell song! On the other hand, “Rolling Stone” is the punchline to a pathetic joke! 🙂
It’s been an awesome week, Paul! So many excellent cuts from 1986. All these tracks can make a dance floor explode. Ending on Prince and the Revolution is very satisfying. Their records were epic and had folks dancing for hours. And as another reader commented, the flip side is magnificent!! I can’t thank you enough for bringing these funk records back to our ears!
Have a great weekend Paul, Song And Dance, Fred and the rest!!!
Jeff
Have a great weekend, Jeff and everyone! Check out the Youtube link I posted above!
Thank you, Jeff have a great weekend 🙂
I don’t know how to find out for sure, but I’ve often wondered whether this is the most covered song from the 80’s?
Thanks for this gem, DJPaul! Cheers!
Surely Tainted love has been covered more?
If you mean Soft Cell then that was a cover of a 60s song to begin with
Well you learn something new every day
Here you go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSehtaY6k1U
Later on she was Marc Bolan’s girlfriend and was driving the car when he died.
My apologies, I may have been a bit sardonic in my reply, maybe even could be accused of sarcasm (not meant to be). I have known for a long time TL was a cover, anyway I was remarking on a song from the ’80s which had been covered the most’, I consider Soft Cell’s cover as from the 80s & in that bracket of being covered the most. Hell Marilyn Manson & Rihanna even sampled it
No worries. It’s surprising how many people do think its a SC original so it seemed possible. Please say you’re not *the* Stevo of SB fame otherwise I’m going to have to really hang my head in shame 🙂
You’re welcome, dugn 🙂
Classic 12” with a classic b-side that did not for some reason make the hits/b-sides box 🤯! Absolute classic!
This song was originally given to Mazarati for their debut album until Prince heard what they were doing with it in the studio and took it back, leaving their backup vocals intact! Also giving David Z his first arrangement credit.
I believe 2 guys from Mazarati went on to provide backup vocals on Paula Abdul’s debut.
Their unfinished version was posted on MySpace at one time. I have it ripped somewhere… 🤩
Thank you for all of the info ING I did not know about the origins of the song. 🙂
You’re welcome! Oh and I looked it up… The Wild Pair from Paula’s album are 2 guys from Mazarati !
Brownmark, bass player for The Revolution was the initial producer and arranger, instrumentalist, and working with David Z. having taken Prince’s demo acoustic blues original version of ‘Kiss’ for Mazarati’s debut album. Working with David Z. and taking bits from classic somewhat obscure R&B songs, both produced Kiss with a bit of their playful studio wizadry. Prince heard the result, and took the song back so to speak. Prince proceeded to strip it down and make HIS, removing reverbs, other elements including I think a bass line. Brownmark, David Z. put in a similar When Doves Cry drum beat and… Read more »
Oh wow! Thanks for those additional details and stuff…I wasn’t aware of some of that including Chico… I have Brownmark’s solo albums and a couple 12”s I think but now I need that Chico album!
Looked up Chico performing I’ve Been Watching You on Soul Train! (Maybe Paul has the 12” to post???) Very much sounds like Brownmark! Ordered the album off Discogs! Thanks
Love this song! Many thanks!
You’re welcome, Eddie 🙂