Deuce (song)
Encyclopedia
"Deuce" is a song written by Kiss
bassist
/vocalist Gene Simmons
that first appeared on Kiss' eponymous 1974 debut album. In addition to being one of the band's most popular and most-covered songs, "Deuce" is a traditional concert opener. The song was performed on almost every tour to date, and has appeared on many Kiss' live and compilation albums, as well on Ace Frehley
's.Although "Deuce" is not as instantly recognizable to casual Kiss fans as some of their other tracks (most notably "Rock n' Roll All Nite," "Detroit Rock City," etc.), it is undoubtedly a classic amongst the legion of Kiss fans. First appearing on their 1974 self-titled debut, the song's high energy made it an early concert opener for the band. Penned by bassist Gene Simmons, its memorable rolling riff was based on the Rolling Stones' 1971 rocker "Bitch" (off Sticky Fingers); Simmons admitted playing it backwards and putting his own variation on it. While such lyrics as "Get up and get your grandma out of here" and "You know your man is working hard, he's worth a deuce" are integral to the song, even Simmons has stated that he's not sure what the song's lyrics mean. Still, the song took on a new life on stage (just check out the great version on their 1975 breakthrough Alive!), and although it disappeared from their concert set list for nearly ten years, it returned in the late '80s, and has remained a staple of Kiss concerts ever since. The song was also remade as a funk rocker when Lenny Kravitz recorded it in the mid-'90s for the Kiss tribute album, Kiss My Ass.
"Bitch
" and played it more or less backwards. The entire song was written nearly linearly; the riff came first, then the bridge, then finally the chorus. While uncredited, Paul Stanley
provided the lightly phased
intro riff, inspired by The Raspberries
' "Go All The Way".
"Deuce" also has special significance for Ace Frehley
, who calls it his favorite Kiss song.
"When I auditioned for Kiss", recalls Frehley, "they said, 'We're going to play you a song for you to listen to, and then try playing along — it's in the key
of 'A
'. They played ["Deuce"] as a three-piece. I thought, 'That's easy enough,' so I got up and wailed for four minutes playing lead work over it.".
Gene Simmons stated in reference to the song "Lyrically, I had no idea what I was talking about. Sometimes stuff means a lot, sometimes it means nothing."
"Deuce" was a popular street term in the late 1960s and early 1970s (around the time in which this song was written), meaning a blowjob for $20.00.
On July 28, 2009, a live version was released along with "100,000 Years" (Live) and "Parasite" (Live) in the Kiss 01 track pack for Rock Band 2.
and wasn't performed regularly in the USA until the Hot in the Shade Tour
in 1990. It was played in some one-off shows in the USA in 1988 as well as the European Crazy Nights Tour in 1988. Gene Simmons
said that at the band's first tours, after they did the usual setlist and encore, they didn't have any more songs to play so they played "Deuce" again.
albums:
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
/vocalist Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
that first appeared on Kiss' eponymous 1974 debut album. In addition to being one of the band's most popular and most-covered songs, "Deuce" is a traditional concert opener. The song was performed on almost every tour to date, and has appeared on many Kiss' live and compilation albums, as well on Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
's.Although "Deuce" is not as instantly recognizable to casual Kiss fans as some of their other tracks (most notably "Rock n' Roll All Nite," "Detroit Rock City," etc.), it is undoubtedly a classic amongst the legion of Kiss fans. First appearing on their 1974 self-titled debut, the song's high energy made it an early concert opener for the band. Penned by bassist Gene Simmons, its memorable rolling riff was based on the Rolling Stones' 1971 rocker "Bitch" (off Sticky Fingers); Simmons admitted playing it backwards and putting his own variation on it. While such lyrics as "Get up and get your grandma out of here" and "You know your man is working hard, he's worth a deuce" are integral to the song, even Simmons has stated that he's not sure what the song's lyrics mean. Still, the song took on a new life on stage (just check out the great version on their 1975 breakthrough Alive!), and although it disappeared from their concert set list for nearly ten years, it returned in the late '80s, and has remained a staple of Kiss concerts ever since. The song was also remade as a funk rocker when Lenny Kravitz recorded it in the mid-'90s for the Kiss tribute album, Kiss My Ass.
Background
According to Gene Simmons, he simply copped the bassline of The Rolling Stones'The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
"Bitch
Bitch (Rolling Stones song)
"Bitch" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers.Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Bitch" was recorded during October 1970 at London's Olympic Studios, and at Stargroves utilising the Rolling Stones Mobile studio.The track was featured on...
" and played it more or less backwards. The entire song was written nearly linearly; the riff came first, then the bridge, then finally the chorus. While uncredited, Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley
Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
provided the lightly phased
Phaser (effect)
A phaser is an audio signal processing technique used to filter a signal by creating a series of peaks and troughs in the frequency spectrum. The position of the peaks and troughs is typically modulated so that they vary over time, creating a sweeping effect...
intro riff, inspired by The Raspberries
The Raspberries
Raspberries is an American power pop/pop rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. They had a run of success in the early 1970s music scene with their crisp pop sound, which Allmusic later described as featuring "exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies." The members were known for their...
' "Go All The Way".
"Deuce" also has special significance for Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, who calls it his favorite Kiss song.
"When I auditioned for Kiss", recalls Frehley, "they said, 'We're going to play you a song for you to listen to, and then try playing along — it's in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of 'A
A
A is the first letter and a vowel in the basic modern Latin alphabet. It is similar to the Ancient Greek letter Alpha, from which it derives.- Origins :...
'. They played ["Deuce"] as a three-piece. I thought, 'That's easy enough,' so I got up and wailed for four minutes playing lead work over it.".
Gene Simmons stated in reference to the song "Lyrically, I had no idea what I was talking about. Sometimes stuff means a lot, sometimes it means nothing."
"Deuce" was a popular street term in the late 1960s and early 1970s (around the time in which this song was written), meaning a blowjob for $20.00.
On July 28, 2009, a live version was released along with "100,000 Years" (Live) and "Parasite" (Live) in the Kiss 01 track pack for Rock Band 2.
Live performances
The song was performed during the first tours, mostly as the opener. It was dropped from the setlist for the Rock & Roll Over TourRock & Roll Over Tour
The Rock & Roll Over Tour was a concert tour by Kiss, in support of their album Rock and Roll Over. This tour saw Kiss tour Japan for the first time, playing Tokyo's Budokan for four nights, breaking The Beatles' previous record. On April 2, they played two sets, the first one being recorded for...
and wasn't performed regularly in the USA until the Hot in the Shade Tour
Hot in The Shade Tour
The Hot in the Shade Tour was a concert tour by Kiss. It was the last tour with drummer Eric Carr, who died of cancer on November 24, 1991...
in 1990. It was played in some one-off shows in the USA in 1988 as well as the European Crazy Nights Tour in 1988. Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
said that at the band's first tours, after they did the usual setlist and encore, they didn't have any more songs to play so they played "Deuce" again.
Covers
- The Hellmenn on the Kiss tribute Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers CompilationHard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation-Various labels:Waterfront Records DAMP-121 Southern Records DAMP-121 Records C/Z Records CZ-024 -External links:* Amazon...
, 1991 - Lenny KravitzLenny KravitzLeonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
(featuring Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
) on Kiss My Ass, 1994 - BathoryBathory (band)Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by Quorthon in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal and viking metal. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004...
on Octagon, 1995 - Ace Frehley on 12 Picks12 Picks-Personnel:*Ace Frehley – lead guitar on all tracks, lead vocals on tracks 1-7 and 9-12, backing vocals*Tod Howarth – rhythm guitar on tracks 1-3 and 6-13, lead vocals on tracks 8 and 13, keyboards...
, 1997 - OverkillOverkill (band)Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
on CoverkillCoverkillCoverkill is a cover album released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1999. The album consists of cover songs by artists that influenced the band, including Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Ramones, and Manowar.-Track listing:...
, 1999 - ExtremaExtrema (band)Extrema is an Italian thrash metal band, formed in 1986 and currently signed to V2 Records. Originally based in Milan, they sing in English language.-Current members:* Gianluca Perotti * Tommy Massara * Paolo Crimi...
on "Pound For Pound, 2009.
Appearances
"Deuce" has appeared on following KissKISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
albums:
- Kiss - studio version
- Alive! - live version
- The OriginalsThe Originals (album)This pack was a re-release of the first three Kiss albums: Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill. It was packaged with a 16-page history booklet, a color Kiss Army sticker and a sheet of six trading cards....
- studio version - Double PlatinumDouble Platinum (album)Double Platinum is the first greatest hits album by the American hard rock band Kiss.Many of the songs on Double Platinum were remixed and significantly differ from their original versions...
- studio version - Smashes, Thrashes & HitsSmashes, Thrashes & Hits-Charts:AlbumSingles- Certifications :...
- studio version - Greatest KissGreatest KISSGreatest Kiss is a compilation album of previously available material released by the American hard rock band Kiss. Along with You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!, this album was issued to coincide with the group's 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour...
- studio version - The Box Set - demo version
- The Very Best of KissThe Very Best of KISS, -Personnel:*Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar , lead vocals , guitar solo , first guitar solo on , bass guitar .*Gene Simmons – bass guitar , lead vocals...
- studio version - Kiss Symphony: Alive IVKISS Symphony: Alive IVKiss Symphony: Alive IV is a 2003 live album from Kiss performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . The arrangements were made by David Campbell, who also conducted the MSO. It is the group's fourth album in the Alive series and first release under Kiss Records and Sanctuary Records...
- live version - The Best of Kiss: The Millennium CollectionThe Best of KISS: The Millennium Collection-Personnel:*Paul Stanley - lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals*Gene Simmons - bass guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals*Ace Frehley - lead & rhythm guitar*Peter Criss - drums, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Beth" and "Hard Luck Woman"...
- studio version - Kiss Instant LiveKiss Instant LiveKiss Instant Live is a series of 2 CD live albums, each containing a recording of the complete set from a show on the Rock the Nation Tour from 2004.- Details :...
- live version - GoldGold (KISS album)Gold is a 2005 greatest hits collection from hard rock band Kiss. This two-disc set covers the band's recordings from 1974 to 1982. All tracks are previously available.-Track listing:Disc 1:#"Strutter"...
- studio version - Kiss Chronicles: 3 Classic AlbumsKiss Chronicles: 3 Classic AlbumsThis repackaging of the first three Kiss albums is essentially identical to The Originals , except in CD format and with different packaging.-Track listing:Disc 01 - Kiss...
- studio version - Kiss Alive! 1975–2000 - Alive! version
- Kiss Alive 35Kiss Alive 35Kiss Alive 35 is a series of 2 CD live albums, each containing a recording of the complete set from a European show on the KISS Alive/35 World Tour from 2008. A second set of recordings are also planned to be available from the North American leg of this tour in Fall/Winter 2009.- Details :The...
- live version - IkonsIkonsIkons is a 4 CD box set compilation album by Universal Music Group, featuring material recorded by American hard rock band Kiss. Each CD in the set is named after one of the original band members, collecting songs that represent his contribution to the band. In 1996 the 'KISS-Ikons' concept was...
- studio version - Jigoku-RetsudenJigoku-Retsuden-DVD :Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 1977#"Detroit Rock City"#"Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll"#"Ladies Room"#"Firehouse"#"I Want You"#"Cold Gin"#"Nothin' to Lose"#"God of Thunder"#"Rock and Roll All Nite"#"Shout It Out Loud"#"Black Diamond"...
- re-recorded version - Kiss Sonic Boom Over EuropeKiss Sonic Boom Over EuropeKiss Sonic Boom Over Europe is a series of live albums , containing a recording of the complete set from a European show on the Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour which began May 1, 2010 in Sheffield, England.-Details:...
- live version
KISS, Alive! and Alive! The Millenium Concert personnel
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
- rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocals - Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
- drums, backing vocals - Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
Alive III personnel
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
- bass guitar, lead vocals - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
- rhythm guitar, backing vocals - Eric SingerEric SingerEric Doyle Mensinger , better known as Eric Singer, is a hard rock and heavy metal drummer for the rock band Kiss and formerly for singer Alice Cooper...
- drums, backing vocals - Bruce KulickBruce KulickBruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....
- lead guitar
KISS Symphony: Alive IV personnel
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
- bass guitar, lead vocals - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
- rhythm guitar, backing vocals - Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
- drums, backing vocals - Tommy ThayerTommy ThayerTommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
- lead guitar
KISS Instant Live, KISS Alive 35, KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe and Jigoku-Retsuden personnel
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
- bass guitar, lead vocals - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
- rhythm guitar, backing vocals - Eric SingerEric SingerEric Doyle Mensinger , better known as Eric Singer, is a hard rock and heavy metal drummer for the rock band Kiss and formerly for singer Alice Cooper...
- drums, backing vocals - Tommy ThayerTommy ThayerTommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...
- lead guitar