Love Gun (song)
| "Love Gun" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by KISS | ||||
| from the album Love Gun | ||||
| Released | July 31, 1977 (US) | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded |
Record Plant Studios, New York City: 1977 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, glam rock | |||
| Length | 3:27 | |||
| Label | Casablanca NB-895-AS (US) | |||
| Writer(s) | Paul Stanley | |||
| KISS singles chronology | ||||
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"Love Gun" is a song by the American hard rock band KISS released on their 1977 album of the same name. The B-side is the album track "Hooligan", a song written by drummer Peter Criss. "Love Gun" failed to become a hit single, but the song became an instant staple of the KISS live show and retained this place for years.
Sung by guitarist-vocalist Paul Stanley, he has claimed in several interviews since its release that it is one of his favorite KISS songs, even stating that ""Love Gun" is quintessential KISS and is probably one of the five signature essential [KISS] songs."[1] Stanley has also said that "The Hunter" section of the Led Zeppelin song "How Many More Times" inspired the lyrics of "Love Gun". Stanley plays bass on the track in addition to his singing and guitar duties.[2]
"Love Gun" has been played on every KISS tour since its release, and has made numerous appearances on KISS greatest hits and compilation albums despite the fact that it stalled at #55 on the U.S. singles chart.[3]
Cover versions
"Love Gun" was covered by the Surfin' Ceasers for 1992's Kiss tribute album Hard to Believe. In 2003 Hayseed Dixie released Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss, and album consisting entirely of Kiss covers, including "Love Gun", played in the bluegrass style. Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw contributed his version of "Love Gun" for the 2004 Kiss tribute album Spin the Bottle. Eccentric British rock band Sack Trick covered the song on their Kiss covers album Sheep in KISS Make Up. German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell covered this song on the album Diamonds Unlocked. Former KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley covers this song with his solo group. Alternative metal band Stone Sour released a cover of the song as part of their covers album Meanwhile in Burbank... in 2015.
Popular culture
- "Love Gun" was featured during the opening credit sequence in the 1999 film Detroit Rock City, the movie itself named after the KISS song.
- The song was also featured in the 2008 film Role Models, where the character Wheeler (Seann William Scott) explains that the song is about Paul Stanley's penis.
- The song is featured in the video game Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock.
References
- ↑ Leaf, David and Ken Sharp. KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 2003. ISBN 0-446-53073-5
- ↑
- ↑ International Singles Chart
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