“Kissed and Remissed: Paul Stanley’s Regrettable Song Revealed”

Paul Stanley Regrets Kiss Song from “Music From The Elder”

The 1980s: A Difficult Time for Kiss

The 1980s proved to be a challenging decade for the American hard rock band, Kiss. Known for their shock rock antics and extravagant live performances, Kiss dominated the 1970s music scene. Hits like ‘Rock and Roll All Night’ and ‘Detroit Rock City’ propelled them to radio success. However, the 1980s saw a decline in their popularity, as they struggled to retain their core audience, removed their iconic makeup, and found themselves competing with younger hair metal bands.

“Music From The Elder”: A Disappointing Album

One notable event during this turbulent period for Kiss was the release of their 1981 album, “Music From The Elder.” A departure from their usual hard rock sound, the album delved into progressive rock, symphonic rock, and conceptual art. Kiss aimed to establish themselves as serious musicians and storytellers with this project. However, the album’s sales were lackluster, leading to guitarist Ace Frehley’s departure and the band’s decision to abstain from touring to support the album. To make matters worse, the planned film project associated with the album was ultimately scrapped, rendering “Music From The Elder” solely a soundtrack album without any accompanying media.

A Shift in Image and Musical Style

Following the disappointing performance of “Music From The Elder,” Kiss underwent a complete image overhaul. After one final album featuring their iconic makeup, titled “Creatures of the Night,” the band opted to abandon their face paint and fully embrace the hair metal genre with their 1983 release, “Lick It Up.” This marked a definitive shift away from the progressive sound and conceptual aspirations of “Music From The Elder.”

“I”: A Regrettable Song for Paul Stanley

Among the tracks on “Music From The Elder,” the song ‘I’ was released as the album’s second single. Unfortunately, it failed to make any impact on the pop charts. Paul Stanley, Kiss‘s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, has not been shy about expressing his disdain for the song. In a 2021 interview with Classic Rock, Stanley stated, “I think it was an attempt to write an anthem, but it’s a bit light-hearted, and it sounds a bit like a commercial. It doesn’t really have any gravitas or depth to it.” Stanley acknowledged that his bandmate, Gene Simmons, has penned great songs, but ‘I’ did not make it into his personal top ten.

No Redemption for “Music From The Elder”

Despite Kiss performing ‘A World Without Heroes,’ another track from “Music From The Elder,” during their 1995 MTV Unplugged performance, ‘I’ has never been played live by any iteration of the band except for their appearance on the American television program Fridays. With the band preparing for their retirement from live performances at the end of 2023, it appears highly unlikely that ‘I’ or any other songs from “Music From The Elder” will be fondly remembered.

Editorial: Regrettable Songs and Gravitas in Music

The admission by Paul Stanley that he regrets ‘I’ from Kiss‘s “Music From The Elder” album raises interesting questions about regrettable songs and the importance of gravitas in music. The concept of a regrettable song is subjective, as it depends on individual taste and the impact a particular song has had on an artist’s career.

Kiss, known for their charismatic personas and larger-than-life stage performances, felt the sting of failure with “Music From The Elder.” The album’s departure from their established sound and lack of commercial success caused turmoil within the band. In hindsight, Stanley sees ‘I’ as an attempt to create an anthem but considers it lacking gravitas and depth. This illustrates the desire of artists to create music with substance and enduring value.

The idea of gravitas in music raises questions about the role of depth and emotion in songs. While some songs may be light-hearted and commercially successful, they may not necessarily have the lasting impact that more substantial songs possess. This dilemma showcases the intricacies of the art form and the aspiration of musicians to create songs that resonate with listeners on a deeper level. It is a delicate balance between commercial success and artistic integrity.

Advice: Embracing Change and Learning from Regret

The journey of Kiss during the 1980s serves as a reminder that artists can face disappointments and setbacks in their careers. However, they also have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and explore new creative paths. Kiss‘s decision to shed their makeup and embrace the hair metal genre with “Lick It Up” demonstrated their willingness to adapt and respond to changing musical tastes.

Paul Stanley’s regret over ‘I’ is a lesson in embracing change and learning from past mistakes. It is essential for artists to reflect on their work and understand the elements that resonate with their audience. By acknowledging regrets and using them as a springboard for growth, artists can continue to evolve and create music that resonates with both themselves and their fanbase.

In conclusion, the regret expressed by Paul Stanley towards the song ‘I’ from Kiss‘s “Music From The Elder” album offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by artists during their careers. It highlights the importance of gravitas and depth in music while underscoring the necessity for artists to embrace change and learn from their regrets.