Lick It Up

by

Kiss

Album: Lick It Up      Released: 1983

US Chart: 66     UK Chart: 34

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This album was the first time Kiss appeared without makeup.

Vinnie Vincent replaced Ace Frehley on guitar for this album. Vincent, who left the band in 1984, later sued KISS, claiming he was not paid for royalties and received only $2000 a week in salary. He lost the case.

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Comments:

Jason in Denver, Gene runs the band and I would venture a guess that Eric and Tommy are using the original characters because that's the way Gene wants it.
- David, Petaluma, CA

It is a fairly well known fact that Vinnie did want, and probably still wants, to be a woman. He did look into getting a sex change at one point. I think this is also part of the reason Gene threw him out. He is a total idiot and a homosexual.
- Bony, Bony, VA

LOL, it's FUNNY now when i look back at this vid. Their 1st clip sans makeup. Gene looked like a zombie, cos at that point, he was USED to being the Monster, all grotesque and menacing. He didn't know HOW to be Gene Simmons!!! He was OUT of character for the 1st time in his professional music life. He had NO clue how to act as himself, the musician, not his Monster alter ego!
- Axeman, Melbourne, Australia

how about vinnies pink shirt in the video haha
- sezan, melbourne, Australia

It was said by Paul Stanley that people asked him, when they took the makeup off, how are you going to play? His response was something like "I guess hopefully the same". As far as KISS with makeup, NO disrespect to Eric Singer or Tommy Thayer, they are masters of their crafts,however they ARE NOT the cat man nor the space man. ONLY Peter and Ace are. Tommy and Eric need to create their own characters. Eric Carr did!
- Jason, Denver, CO

The song is about taking an ordinary day and making the most out of it. Pretend every day is a vacation day.
- Pat, Indio, CA

the video is hilarious seeing kiss withouth their makeup. it's an okay song but the video is funny.
- Devon, Westerville, OH

i wish they left the makeup on
- georgina, laredo, TX

I find it funny how he would do that since his band the invasion becamse slaughter and are better. I honestly think hes a horrible guitarist hell never bee ace and it was a waste of time for him. no offence to any who like this song im sorry but vinny is a d*ck. once again i apologize to fans of him and for yelling at kiss for hiring.
- James, New York City, NY

I nearly went into anaphylactic shock the first time i saw the video and the guys w/out makeup
- haggai, Hobart, Australia

HA HA the video is funny, I love how Gene Simmons looks like a zombie at the beginning
- Amandass, Buckley, WA

Great song from a great album!
- Moto, Pittsburgh, PA

In the video Paul Stanley has a piece of gum in his mouth when they're on the stage near the end of the song.
- Jonnee, Ottawa, Canada

i agree with josh lemmy rules!
- alex, st louis, MO

Gene Simmons, Angus Young, and Lemmy Kilmiester- ugly, and still get laid 24/7. THESE ARE MY IDOLS!
- Josh, Las Vegas, NV

KISS wanted to move away from "glam rock" in the mid 80's when the genre was dying. This song and it's video was supposed to be their entry into "heavy metal", hence the removal of their theatrical make-up. It's just a sexually-oriented song in the heavy metal style. There fans, though, didn't go for it and the "headbangers" didn't embrace KISS. So they went back to their "glam rock" roots.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

Fun, Fun, song.....LICK IT UP!!! Get what you want from it, but enjoy it. KISS just knows how to have fun and rock.
- Dee, Indianapolis, IN

Despite the obvious face-value vulgar connotations, the song is actually about living life to the fullest. For a brief time Vinnie Vincent did wear makeup, his costume was an egyptian motif, with an Ankh symbol painted on his face. Totally retarded, but at least it was better than the "chicken suit" they considered for drummer Eric Carr. They settled on a Fox character for him instead.
- Matt, Charleston, SC

Great song, from one of their better 80's albums.
- Moto, Pittsburgh, PA

This song is vulgar and disgusting. But I loved it when I was a kid. Didnt have a clue what it meant then but now I look at the lyrics and think, oh my god KISS you vial little perverts ROCK ON.
- Leigh, Eden Prairie, MN

what the hell is this song actually about!??!!?!?!?!?!
- Shana, Pembroke,Ontario, Canada

I agree with Ozzy, Vinnie looks like Lily Tomlin in a workout video or something
- Eddie, Acton, ME

No Make-Up!!! Very sad moment in Kisstory. This ushered in a new era for the band. Great song though.
- Frank, Staten Island , NY

This was the most anticipated videos in 1983. KISS really shocked everyone with this video. But the makeup didn't make the music, it was the musicians themselves.
- Jimbo, Corpus Christi, TX

vinnie also, unofficially of course, played on some the tracks on "Creatures of the Night".
- don, rapid city, SD

vinnie vincent looks like a female in the video
- ozzy, detroit, ME

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