"Passionate Kisses" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter

Lucinda Williams Lucinda Gayle Williams (born January 26, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter and a solo guitarist. She recorded her first two albums: '' Ramblin' on My Mind'' (1979) and '' Happy Woman Blues'' (1980), in a traditional country and blues style ...

. It was released in 1989 as the fourth single from her third album, ''

'' (1988). The song was famously covered by

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for her 1992 album ''

Come On Come On ''Come On Come On'' is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Mary Chapin Carpenter. Seven of its tracks became ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles hits in 1992, 1993, and 1994. They were, chronologically, "I Feel Lucky" at #4, "N ...

'', and released as the album's third single.

Critical reception

Robin Denselow Robin Denselow is a British writer, journalist, and broadcaster. Education Denselow was educated at Leighton Park School, a boys' Quaker boarding independent school (now co-educational) in Reading, Berkshire Reading ( ) is a town and borough ...

, writing in ''

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'', called the song a "rousing country rocker." Country music website The Boot ranked "Passionate Kisses" No. 1 on their list of the best Lucinda Williams songs, describing it as "a modern-day feminist anthem about having it all — a comfortable bed, food, a rock band and passionate kisses." The lyrics document "I shout it out to the night, give me what I deserve 'cause it's my right." In 2021, "Passionate Kisses" ranked No. 437 on ''Rolling Stone's'' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Track listing

;CD single * "Passionate Kisses" – 2:35 * "Nothing In Rambling" – 4:45 * "Disgusted" – 3:09 * "Goin' Back Home" – 3:22 * "Side Of The Road" – 3:27

Mary Chapin Carpenter version

Released in January 1993, "Passionate Kisses" was the third single from Carpenter's fourth album ''

''. The song reached No. 4 on the '' Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1993, and No. 54 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Carpenter's version adheres closely in tempo, feel, and instrumentation to Williams' original recording, similarly relying on the catchy guitar riff to anchor the record. The recording enhanced Carpenter's crossover appeal and earned her the

Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance The Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance was first awarded in 1965, to Dottie West Dorothy Marie Marsh West (October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends ...

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, in addition to securing the

Grammy Award for Best Country Song The Grammy Award for Best Country Song (sometimes known as the Country Songwriter's Award) has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the songwriter(s) of the song, not to the artist, except if the artist is also the songwriter. There ha ...

for Williams.

Track listing

;CD single * "Passionate Kisses" – 3:23 * "Downtown Train" – 4:11 * "The Bug" – 3:48 * "Quittin' Time" – 3:52

Music videos

Williams and Carpenter each released music videos for their recordings. Williams' original music video was released in August 1989. Carpenter's music video was directed by Markus Blunder and premiered in early 1993. It was filmed in

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Chart performance

Williams version

Carpenter version

Year-end charts

Awards

References

External links

Lucinda Williams Official WebsiteMary Chapin Carpenter Official Website
{{Authority control Songs about kissing Lucinda Williams songs Mary Chapin Carpenter songs 1989 singles 1993 singles Songs written by Lucinda Williams Rough Trade Records singles Columbia Records singles 1988 songs