"Passionate Kisses" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. It was released in 1989 as the fourth single from her third album, Lucinda Williams (1988).

"Passionate Kisses"
Single by Lucinda Williams
from the album Lucinda Williams
B-side"Side of the Road"
Released1989
Genre
Length2:35
LabelRough Trade
Songwriter(s)Lucinda Williams
Producer(s)
Lucinda Williams singles chronology
"I Just Wanted to See You So Bad"
(1989)
"Passionate Kisses"
(1989)
"Six Blocks Away"
(1992)

The song was famously covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter for her 1992 album Come On Come On, and released as the album's third single.

Critical reception

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Hailed as the definitive version,[1][2] Williams's original take has received widespread critical acclaim. Robin Denselow, writing in The Guardian, called the song a "rousing country rocker."[3] 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."

In 2021, "Passionate Kisses" ranked No. 437 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[4] The same outlet ranked the song at No. 100 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time in 2024.[5]

Music video

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Williams filmed and released a music video for the track in August 1989.[6] It would be the last time Williams starred in one of her own music videos until "Rock n Roll Heart" in 2023.[7]

Track listing

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CD single[8]
  • "Passionate Kisses" – 2:35
  • "Nothing In Rambling" – 4:45
  • "Disgusted" – 3:09
  • "Goin' Back Home" – 3:22
  • "Side Of The Road" – 3:27

Charts

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Chart (1989) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 169

Mary Chapin Carpenter version

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"Passionate Kisses"
 
Single by Mary Chapin Carpenter
from the album Come On Come On
B-side"Middle Ground"
ReleasedJanuary 19, 1993
GenreCountry
Length3:23
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Lucinda Williams
Producer(s)
Mary Chapin Carpenter singles chronology
"Not Too Much to Ask"
(1992)
"Passionate Kisses"
(1993)
"The Hard Way"
(1993)

Released in January 1993, "Passionate Kisses" was the third single from Carpenter's fourth album Come On Come On. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1993,[10] 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.[11]

The recording enhanced Carpenter's crossover appeal and earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1994,[12] in addition to securing the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for Williams.[13] Carpenter filmed a music video for the track in Washington, D.C. and it premiered in early 1993.[14]

Awards

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Year Award Category Work Recipient Result Ref.
1994 Grammy Award Best Female Country Vocal Performance "Passionate Kisses" Mary Chapin Carpenter Won [12]
Best Country Song Lucinda Williams (songwriter) Won [13]

Track listing

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CD single[15]
  • "Passionate Kisses" – 3:23
  • "Downtown Train" – 4:11
  • "The Bug" – 3:48
  • "Quittin' Time" – 3:52

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ Horowitz, Hal (January 6, 2014). "Lucinda Williams: Lucinda Williams". American Songwriter. Nashville. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  2. ^ Hermes, Will (January 16, 2014). "Lucinda Williams". Rolling Stone. No. 1200. New York. Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  3. ^ Denselow, Robin (January 16, 2014). "Lucinda Williams: Lucinda Williams 25th Anniversary Edition – review". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time > Passionate Kisses". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time > Passionate Kisses". Rolling Stone. May 24, 2024. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Lucinda Williams - Passionate Kisses (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Lucinda Williams Gets Nostalgic in Cinematic Video for 'Rock N Roll Heart'". Rolling Stone. August 9, 2023. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "Lucinda Williams – Passionate Kisses". Discogs. 1989. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Lucinda Williams chart history". imgur.com. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Mary Chapin Carpenter Hot Country Songs Chart History
  11. ^ Bradley, Bob (1994). "Lucinda Williams: Passionate Kisses". The Journal of Country Music. XVIII (2): 37. Mary Chapin Carpenter's version of "Passionate Kisses" is virtually identical to Williams' Rough Trade take ...
  12. ^ a b "Artist: Mary Chapin Carpenter". The Recording Academy. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Artist: Lucinda Williams". The Recording Academy. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Mary Chapin Carpenter - Passionate Kisses (Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "Mary-Chapin Carpenter – Passionate Kisses". Discogs. 1992. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1734." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 17, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1708." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 1, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1712." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. March 27, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  19. ^ "Mary Chapin Carpenter Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ^ "Mary Chapin Carpenter Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  21. ^ "Mary Chapin Carpenter Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  22. ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM. December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  23. ^ "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
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