Give Him a Great Big Kiss explained
"Give Him a Great Big Kiss" (sometimes entitled "Great Big Kiss") is a song written by Shadow Morton and performed by the Shangri-Las. It debuted at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late December 1964, and peaked at #18 for two weeks in late January/early February 1965. It was featured on their 1965 album Leader of the Pack.[2]
The single was produced by Shadow Morton.[3]
Other versions
- New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders does a solo version of the song on his 1978 album So Alone.[4]
- A version by the New York Dolls also appears on their 1985 compilation album Night of the Living Dolls. Also, on the band's 1973 self-titled album, lead singer David Johansen quotes the "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" line, "you'd best believe I'm in love L-U-V", in the opening of "Looking for a Kiss".[5] "Looking for a Kiss" tells the story of adolescent romantic desire hampered by peers who use drugs.[6]
- It's My Party! released a version of the song on their 2000 album Can I Get to Know You Better?[7]
Notes and References
- Billboard Staff. The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List. . October 19, 2023. February 10, 2024. The most frenzied pop single ever released by the traditionally doomy-and-gloomy girl group....
- Web site: The Shangri-Las, Leader of the Pack. . 1965 . March 15, 2019.
- Web site: The Shangri-Las, "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" Single Release. March 15, 2019.
- Web site: Johnny Thunders, So Alone. . March 15, 2019.
- Book: Reynolds, Simon. Simon Reynolds. 2011. Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past. limited. Faber & Faber. 978-0-86547-994-4. 245.
- Book: Antonia, Nina. Nina Antonia. 2006. Too Much Too Soon: The New York Dolls. Omnibus Press. 3rd. 1-84449-984-7. 46.
- Web site: It's My Party!, Can I Get to Know You Better?. . March 15, 2019.
