Let's be clear, Kiss are one of those bands whose success goes far beyond their quality. That doesn't mean that their quality is low, but that their success was excessive. The truth is that Kiss didn't invent anything, their music was rock & roll with make-up, in the style of the New York Dolls, but more professional, less punk. Furthermore, their theatricality wasn’t new and even their well-known painted faces have a precedent in the singer of Secos E Molhados. However, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley knew how to take those elements to new heights of popularity, and in the process became the definitive comic book heroes of rock. Their influence is huge and they are responsible for thousands of teenagers picking up a guitar for the first time for which, from Guitars Exchange, we thank them enormously. So we are taking advantage of Starchild's birthday, Paul Stanley, to celebrate our 10 favorite songs of their career. It's just rock & roll (with glitter) … but we like it.

Strutter (1974)

The song that opened the band's first album could not be more significant; the world would take two more years to go crazy about them, but Kiss was already a fully formed band in their debut. Gene Simmons may even be right in saying that it's the best album of their career. This song, (like most of that album) came from the previous group formed by Simmons and Paul Stanley, Wicked Lester. The bassist had the chord progression and the rhythm guitarist added the melody and the lyrics, in which he spoke of his fascination for the women who populated the New York glam scene. His musical fascination for the Stones is evident with the guitars of Stanley and Ace Frehley, the Les Paul TV of the former and the 1973 Les Paul Deluxe of the latter, strumming in a similar way to Keith Richards and Mick Taylor - although the riff of the chorus is pure Kiss. 

   

Deuce (1974)

Also included on their debut, this song became the official opener at their concerts for a long time. Simmons is the lead singer as well as the songwriter of a song that he says he came up with entirely, (melody, riff, licks and lyrics) on a bus trip. With his usual humility, 'The Demon' says that he knew it was going to be a classic even then. Luckily, at least he doesn't claim authorship of Frehley's magnificent solo...  

   

Black Diamond (1974)

The song that closed Kiss’s first album is one of the best of their career, and also one that produced the most covers, including those by groups such as Replacements, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. It is usually attributed to Stanley, although he has stated that the riff was the work of Simmons. The fact is that it is one of the band’s most elaborate songs, from that acoustic beginning (with Stanley as the main voice), to the key verses sung with enormous force by Peter Criss. The song varies several times in tempo and shows that this band could go beyond their theatrical performances, their obvious lyrics and bloody tongues. Of course there are major differences, but in some ways this is their very own Stairway To Heaven.  

   

Hotter Than Hell (1974)

The song that gave the name to the band's second album looked musically towards Free's All Right Now - while in the lyrics they were again as subtle as a condom ad... The incredible thing is that this works for the band that dedicated a song, and the name of one of their albums, to Paul Stanley's virile member. It will never win a poetry competition, but the chorus remains engraved in the memory, if not in your heart... By this time in Kiss’s career Stanley had already gotten his first custom guitar, as a luthier named Charley Labue had built him a guitar quite similar to a Flying V of 58 with two humbuckers… and he certainly put it to good use in this song.  

   

Rock And Roll All Nite (1975)

In 1975 Kiss had all the potential to become superstars but they had not yet achieved it. They had a very loyal legion of followers but the number of records sold did not correspond to their image. Consequently, the owner of the company told them, "you guys need an anthem.” So Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley got down to business and, as usual, they looked for a model. In this case they chose one of their favorite bands, Slade (from which they also took the title of their live Alive!), specifically from their catchy Cum On Feel the Noize. They achieved their goal completely, creating one of those choruses that stick in the head from the first listening. Although this song came to life at the close of Dressed To Kill, it would find its definitive version on the album that turned Kiss into superstars - Alive! - one year later.  

   

She (1975)

Another song that goes back to the times of Wicked Lester, was composed by Stephen Coronel and Simmons, who is also the lead voice. The influence of Blue Cheer and Cream is evident in their riff that is halfway between blues rock and heavy. Although perhaps this song is best remembered for Ace Frehley's solo on his Les Paul. The guitarist was inspired by Robby Krieger's Five To One, and in turn saw his work inspire Pearl Jam's Mike McCready on their classic Alive years later.  

   

Detroit Rock City (1976)

Detroit Rock City is another of Kiss’s great classics, in addition to being the most outstanding song from their best known album, Destroyer, but it is also an ode to the city in which they found their audience until success came their way. Few places can boast a more rocking credential than the Motor City, and Kiss pay it a magnificent tribute with one of the songs that is never missing from their live repertoire.  

   

Calling Dr. Love (1976)

If only Calling Doctor Love's lyrics were heard, it would be a totally ridiculous song, with Simmons spouting sexism without any hint of irony about sex and domination. But you only have to look at the band's image not to take them too seriously; Kiss are pure comic, an exaggerated caricature of the excesses of rock & roll, a kind of Spinal Tap, before Spinal Tap. But if you also listen to the music, the song is also ridiculously catchy.  

   

Hard Luck Woman (1976)

Kiss, and Paul Stanley in particular, were very good at doing their own versions of well-known songs, if Hotter Than Hell was their All Right Now, then Hard Luck Woman was their particular Maggie May or You Wear It Well. The Starchild liked Rod Stewart, and even considered giving this song to the man who had inspired it. But the band had had tremendous success with Beth and a new ballad was expected of them, so they had Peter Criss do their best imitation of ‘Rod The Mod’, and Stanley played his 12-string Guild as if he were Ron Wood - and the result was another success for the band.  

   

Plaster Caster (1977)

Plaster Caster is not one of the band’s best known songs - not even from the album on which it appears, Love Gun - but it is another great song by 'The Demon'. The track demonstrates the band’s mastery of melodies, and with lyrics that speak of a well-known groupie from the 60s and 70s who made plaster casts of rock stars' penises (although, incredibly, none of those from Kiss ever passed through her hands).