Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll (song)
Encyclopedia
Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll is a song by the American
hard rock
band Kiss
, released in 1974. It was released as the only single from the second album, Hotter Than Hell
. Even though the song has failed to chart, it is now a staple in their live concert. The B-side was the album title track, "Hotter Than Hell
"."Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" is one of the most entertaining rockers in the Kiss catalog, a fun, fast tune that feels like a dry run for the pop-metal perfection of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Gene Simmons quickly penned the lyrics of this Hotter Than Hell highlight during a lunch break at his day job, and the results convey romantic excitement in a giddily incoherent fashion: "'Cause baby's got the feeling/Baby wants a show/Baby won't you tell me/Baby rock & roll, yeah, yeah!" These lyrics don't make a lot of sense, but they make convincing rock song fodder when sang to the song's melody, which pairs ascending verse melodies crafted in a rhythmic style to a freewheeling, singalong chorus that reaches for the sky. Kiss gives the song a tight arrangement on its recording of "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" that delivers plenty of firepower in a short time: after starting with a chugging rhythm guitar riff and a wild shout of "rock & roll!" the song cruises along on a relentless bass groove from Simmons that is spiced up by some wailing Ace Frehley guitar solos and a few tricky drum fills from Peter Criss. Despite its ambitious structure and preponderance of music frills, the whole thing comes to finish in just over two minutes. The finished song doesn't have the insidious hooks of "Rock and Roll All Nite," but its speedy blast of excitement served as a fine blueprint for that classic. "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" also became a live favorite for Kiss, usually functioning as a showpiece for Frehley's soloing skills and featuring a pre-finale pause where Criss would shout something like "Kiss loves you!" (This version can be found in all its arena-rocking glory on Alive!).
had been working on. It was demoed for inclusion on the debut album, but was left off. Despite not being included on the album, it was performed during Kiss Tour
, which was in support of the album.
Kiss have played this song live since their early days and finished the encores until the
American leg of the Destroyer Tour
, where it was replaced by "Black Diamond" and later "Rock and Roll All Nite
". It has remained a concert staple and has appeared on many of the band's compilations.
The original song title was "Baby, Let Me Go" but soon changed by producer Kenny Kerner to "Rock 'n' Roll" before finally being titled "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll". When being performed live, the song would be extended to near five minutes, due to the solos (guitar and bass), which make it really interesting to be listened on the stage(as heard on the Alive!).
, where it was excluded but it soon came back for the Alive II
and Dynasty
tours. But from 1980 to 1995, The song was never played live and which disappointed the fans. It was returned to the set-list for the Reunion Tour
. It was left out on the Rock the Nation Tour
but returned on the Alive 35 Tour
and has been played ever since.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Kiss
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,...
, released in 1974. It was released as the only single from the second album, Hotter Than Hell
Hotter Than Hell
Hotter Than Hell is the second studio album from hard rock band Kiss. It was released on October 22, 1974 and was certified Gold on June 23, 1977, having shipped 500,000 copies. The album was re-released in 1997 in a remastered version...
. Even though the song has failed to chart, it is now a staple in their live concert. The B-side was the album title track, "Hotter Than Hell
Hotter Than Hell (song)
"Hotter Than Hell" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, released on their second album of the same name in 1974. It was written by the band's rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, and it shows a heavy influence of the band Free on him. Despite being rarely performed during the years, "Hotter...
"."Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" is one of the most entertaining rockers in the Kiss catalog, a fun, fast tune that feels like a dry run for the pop-metal perfection of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Gene Simmons quickly penned the lyrics of this Hotter Than Hell highlight during a lunch break at his day job, and the results convey romantic excitement in a giddily incoherent fashion: "'Cause baby's got the feeling/Baby wants a show/Baby won't you tell me/Baby rock & roll, yeah, yeah!" These lyrics don't make a lot of sense, but they make convincing rock song fodder when sang to the song's melody, which pairs ascending verse melodies crafted in a rhythmic style to a freewheeling, singalong chorus that reaches for the sky. Kiss gives the song a tight arrangement on its recording of "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" that delivers plenty of firepower in a short time: after starting with a chugging rhythm guitar riff and a wild shout of "rock & roll!" the song cruises along on a relentless bass groove from Simmons that is spiced up by some wailing Ace Frehley guitar solos and a few tricky drum fills from Peter Criss. Despite its ambitious structure and preponderance of music frills, the whole thing comes to finish in just over two minutes. The finished song doesn't have the insidious hooks of "Rock and Roll All Nite," but its speedy blast of excitement served as a fine blueprint for that classic. "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" also became a live favorite for Kiss, usually functioning as a showpiece for Frehley's soloing skills and featuring a pre-finale pause where Criss would shout something like "Kiss loves you!" (This version can be found in all its arena-rocking glory on Alive!).
Basis & Evolution
The song is notable for being of one of few which had lyrics written before the music. It is based on a riff Paul StanleyPaul 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...
had been working on. It was demoed for inclusion on the debut album, but was left off. Despite not being included on the album, it was performed during Kiss Tour
Kiss Tour
The Kiss Tour was Kiss' first album support tour. Sometimes known as the First Tour, it also encompasses several shows before and after the "official" dates...
, which was in support of the album.
Kiss have played this song live since their early days and finished the encores until the
American leg of the Destroyer Tour
Destroyer Tour
The Destroyer Tour also known as The Spirit of '76 Tour was a concert tour by Kiss, in support of their latest album. The August 20 Anaheim, California show was the most famous show of the tour, the band played to over 42,000 people, the biggest US crowd the band has played to...
, where it was replaced by "Black Diamond" and later "Rock and Roll All Nite
Rock and Roll All Nite
"Rock and Roll All Nite" is a song by Kiss, originally released on their 1975 album Dressed to Kill. It was released as the A-side of their fifth single, with the album track "Getaway." The studio version of the song peaked at No. 57 on the Billboard singles chart, besting the band's previous...
". It has remained a concert staple and has appeared on many of the band's compilations.
The original song title was "Baby, Let Me Go" but soon changed by producer Kenny Kerner to "Rock 'n' Roll" before finally being titled "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll". When being performed live, the song would be extended to near five minutes, due to the solos (guitar and bass), which make it really interesting to be listened on the stage(as heard on the Alive!).
Live performances
It had been always played until the 1977 Love Gun TourLove Gun Tour
The Love Gun Tour was a concert tour by Kiss, in support of Love Gun. This was the first tour where Ace Frehley sang lead vocals, on "Shock Me". The three Los Angeles shows were recorded for Alive II. This is the only tour to feature the song "Hooligan" in the set list. This is the first tour to...
, where it was excluded but it soon came back for the Alive II
Alive II Tour
The Alive II Tour was a concert tour by Kiss, and was the follow-up to the Love Gun Tour which ended in early September. This would be the band's last tour until their 1979 Dynasty Tour. The Alive II Tour saw Kiss perform 5 sold-out nights at Tokyo's Budokan, breaking their previous record of 4 one...
and Dynasty
Dynasty Tour
The Dynasty Tour was a concert tour by the rock band Kiss. It was their first tour since the Alive II tour ended on April 2, 1978 in Japan.The Dynasty Tour, also known as "The Return of Kiss", was the first tour to feature the infamous flying stunt by Gene Simmons. This was also the first tour to...
tours. But from 1980 to 1995, The song was never played live and which disappointed the fans. It was returned to the set-list for the Reunion Tour
Alive/Worldwide Tour
The Alive/Worldwide Tour was a 1996-1997 concert tour by Kiss. It was the first tour with original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley since their 1979 Dynasty Tour...
. It was left out on the Rock the Nation Tour
Rock the Nation Tour
The Rock The Nation World Tour was a concert tour by the hard rock group Kiss. Poison was the opening band. The tour marked the return of Eric Singer on the drums who once again replaced Peter Criss whose contract was not renewed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The tour was not very successful,...
but returned on the Alive 35 Tour
KISS Alive/35 World Tour
The Kiss Alive/35 World Tour was a concert tour by Kiss to celebrate Kiss' 35th anniversary. It was the band's first major tour since the Rock the Nation Tour in 2004. On the tour, Kiss played in New Zealand for the first time since the Alive/Worldwide Tour in 1997, as well as performing in Europe...
and has been played ever since.
Appearances
"Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" has appeared on following albums:- Hotter Than HellHotter Than HellHotter Than Hell is the second studio album from hard rock band Kiss. It was released on October 22, 1974 and was certified Gold on June 23, 1977, having shipped 500,000 copies. The album was re-released in 1997 in a remastered version...
– 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 - The Box Set – demo 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 - 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
Track listing
- A-side – "Let Me Go Rock 'n' Roll"
- B-side – "Hotter Than HellHotter Than Hell (song)"Hotter Than Hell" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, released on their second album of the same name in 1974. It was written by the band's rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, and it shows a heavy influence of the band Free on him. Despite being rarely performed during the years, "Hotter...
"
Personnel
- 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... - 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 - 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... - 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...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...