Kiss On My List

Album: Voices (1980)
Charted: 33 1
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Songfacts®:

  • This is a very misinterpreted song, as many people hear the lyric as "kiss on my lips." According to Daryl Hall, it is what he calls "an anti-love song," and the lyric, "Your kiss is on my list of the best things in life" means that the kiss is simply another item on the guy's list - and certainly not the best thing. Said Hall: "Everyone thinks it's 'I love you and without you I would die.' It's exactly the opposite of that."
  • This was co-written by Janna Allen, the sister of Daryl Hall's long-term girlfriend Sara Allen. She also co-wrote "Private Eyes," which was a chart-topper later in the year for Hall & Oates, and also their Top 10 singles "Did It in a Minute" and "Method of Modern Love." Janna Allen died of leukemia at the age of 36 in 1993. She passed away at Daryl and Sara's home in Millbrook, New York.
  • Their musical versatility has made Hall & Oates the best-selling duo of all time, and this song is a good example of how they captured the sound of the '80s with keyboards and a big chorus. In our interview with John Oates, he said: "I think no artist wants to be put into a box and say they're limited. I think you have to be realistic. I don't think I'd ever go into jazz fusion. (laughs) That's not something that's interesting to me. But here's the thing: we started out as songwriters. And both Daryl and myself, individually and collectively, have a wide variety of musical tastes. Just because the music we made may have fallen into a certain category doesn't mean we weren't aware of and interested in other kinds of music."
  • In an interview with Mix magazine, Daryl Hall said: "Eddie Van Halen told me that he copied the synth part from 'Kiss On My List' and used it in 'Jump.' I don't have a problem with that at all."
  • This is featured in the 2010 comedies She's Out of My League, starring Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve, and You Again, starring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Sigourney Weaver.
  • Before she co-wrote this hit, Janna Allen had never written a song before. In our Daryl Hall interview, he explained that he and Janna wrote the song for Janna to record, as she was hoping to become a solo artist. When they made the demo, Hall sang on it, and when the Hall & Oates camp heard it, they insisted that the duo record it, not Janna. In fact, they thought the demo was fine the way it was, so that's what was released. "What you heard was literally the demo," said Hall. "That's why the drum machine is so dicky and all that stuff. It was really not meant for prime time."

Comments: 6

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
    It was reported August 13th, 2015 that Daryl Hall's wife of six years filed for divorce in May...
    However, the marriage did last twice as long as his previous marriage...
    There reportedly is a pre-nup involved...
    Best wishes to all parties involved.
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkHere it is 2014 and I am still a staunch Hall & Oates fan! Love this song. Way back in 1980, I was working in Joplin, Missouri and this was climbing the charts and making me feel so good and sparkly. Or was that the booze?? Anyway, the flow of the rhythm in this song is what first attracted me to it. I loved dancing to it in 1980, but that ended when I broke a high-heel on a disco dance floor-----and broke my left hip as well! Thanks for the memories, Hall and Oates!!
  • Rachel from Augusta, KsCyberpope, the lyrics say it's the list of the best things in life....her kiss. :)
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyBetween Jan. 24th, 1981 & Nov. 14th, 1981 Hall & Oates charted four times and three went to No. 1; KISS ON MY LIST {#1 for 3 weeks}, YOU MAKE MY DREAMS {#5}, PRIVATE EYES {#1 for 2 weeks}, and finally I CAN'T GO FOR THAT {#1 for 2 weeks}...
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaI wonder if the mentioned "my list" is a "Things To Do Before I Die List"
  • Constance from Dallas, TxThis is a great song. Hall and Oates is one of the best duets ever. They have soul and a unique nature about them.
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