| "Cold Gin" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kiss from the album Kiss | |
| Released | February 18, 1974 |
| Recorded | November 1973 |
| Genre | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Length | 4:22 |
| Label | Casablanca Records |
| Writer | Ace Frehley |
| Producer | Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise |
| Kiss track listing | |
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"Cold Gin" is a song by the American hard rock group Kiss. The song was written by the bands' lead guitarist Ace Frehley and is featured on the band's eponymous debut album. The song has gained a status of a Kiss classic song, and is featured on many compilations released by the band. Live versions of the song would be extended for about two minutes due to Ace Frehley's solo.
The song is considered as one of the greatest drinking songs of all-time. It was listed number 10 on AskMen.com list Top 10: Drinking Songs.[1] Guitar World listed "Cold Gin" seventh greatest drinking song of all time.[2] "Cold Gin" was voted number 2 on Love to Know list of Best Bar Songs by listeners.[3]
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The song was written by Ace Frehley and talks about how cold gin affects on the male sex drive. Ace said he wrote the song while he was in the subway.[4] The song was recorded in 1973 and was one of two songs from Kiss album written by Ace Frehley, with other being the album's instrumental "Love Theme from KISS", which was written by the whole band. Although "Cold Gin" was never released as single, it has remained a concert staple during the years.
The studio version differs a lot from the demo version. In the demo version, after the solo Paul Stanley shouts "Whoa! Alright! C'mon!", but in the studio version, Paul shouts "Whoa yeah!". Also, the second guitar solo was cut and the outro was shortened.[5][6]
As Frehley was insecure in his singing ability, Gene Simmons sang the song although during the Alive/Worldwide Tour, Frehley would sing parts of the song.[7] Frehley would provide the lead vocals when touring with his solo band.
A Los Angeles-based Kiss tribute band was named after the song. The band featured ex-Black 'n Blue guitarist and current Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer as Ace Frehley, Thayer's bandmate from Black 'n Blue Jaime St. James as Peter Criss, Chris McLernon of Saigon Kick Gene Simmons and Anthony White as Paul Stanley.
"Cold Gin" soon became a fan favorite with band playing it on following tours (the song was also featured on Kiss' breakthrough album Alive!) but it would be dropped for the Rock & Roll Over Tour and the band would not play the song for 4 years, until the Unmasked Tour. The band would once again drop the song from the setlist for the Aerosmith/Kiss co-headlined Rocksimus Maximus Tour/World Domination Tour but returned it for the Kiss Alive/35 World Tour.
Ace Frehley would, along other Kiss songs, perform "Cold Gin" during his solo tours.
"Cold Gin" appeared on following Kiss' releases:
"Cold Gin" was covered by the alternative metal group Disturbed at a one time tribute show to Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. It was known to be the guitarist's favorite song. The live performance was performed with members of Drowning Pool and Anthrax live on stage, featuring David Draiman on vocals. Vinnie Paul was on drums.
Pantera and Skid Row performed the song together live while the bands were on tour together in 1992. The performance was taped and included on Pantera's 2000 home video, 3 Vulgar Videos from Hell. At one concert, Ace Frehley appeared as a special guest.
Weezer guitarist Rivers Cuomo stated that "Cold Gin" is the first song he learned to play on guitar.[9]