Kiss On My List

Album

Voices

Label

RCA Records

Genre

Yacht Rock

Composer(s)

Janna Allen;Daryl Hall

Entered Chart

Jan 24, 1981

Peak Date

Apr 11, 1981

Released

January 24, 1981

Recorded

1980

Catalog #

RCA 12142

B-Side

Africa

This is a very misinterpreted song, as many people hear the lyric as "kiss on my lips." According to Daryl Hall, it is what he calls "an anti-love song," and the lyric, "Your kiss is on my list of the best things in life" means that the kiss is simply another item on the guy's list - and certainly not the best thing. Said Hall: "Everyone thinks it's 'I love you and without you I would die.' It's exactly the opposite of that." This was co-written by Janna Allen, the sister of Daryl Hall's long-term girlfriend Sara Allen. She also co-wrote "Private Eyes," which was a chart-topper later in the year for Hall & Oates, and also their Top 10 singles "Did It in a Minute" and "Method of Modern Love." Janna Allen died of leukemia at the age of 36 in 1993. She passed away at Daryl and Sara's home in Millbrook, New York. Their musical versatility has made Hall & Oates the best-selling duo of all time, and this song is a good example of how they captured the sound of the '80s with keyboards and a big chorus. In our interview with John Oates, he said: "I think no artist wants to be put into a box and say they're limited. I think you have to be realistic. I don't think I'd ever go into jazz fusion. (laughs) That's not something that's interesting to me. But here's the thing: we started out as songwriters. And both Daryl and myself, individually and collectively, have a wide variety of musical tastes. Just because the music we made may have fallen into a certain category doesn't mean we weren't aware of and interested in other kinds of music." In an interview with Mix magazine, Daryl Hall said: "Eddie Van Halen told me that he copied the synth part from 'Kiss On My List' and used it in 'Jump.' I don't have a problem with that at all." This is featured in the 2010 comedies She's Out of My League, starring Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve, and You Again, starring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Sigourney Weaver. Before she co-wrote this hit, Janna Allen had never written a song before. In our Daryl Hall interview, he explained that he and Janna wrote the song for Janna to record, as she was hoping to become a solo artist. When they made the demo, Hall sang on it, and when the Hall & Oates camp heard it, they insisted that the duo record it, not Janna. In fact, they thought the demo was fine the way it was, so that's what was released. "What you heard was literally the demo," said Hall. "That's why the drum machine is so dicky and all that stuff. It was really not meant for prime time."

My friends wonder why I call you all of the time
What can I say
I don't feel the need to give such secrets away
You think maybe I need help, no, I know I'm right
I'm just better off not listening to friends' advice

When they insist on knowing my bliss
I tell them this
When they want to know what the reason is
I only smile when I lie, then I tell them why

CHORUS:
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list
(Because your kiss) your kiss I can't resist
Because your kiss is what I miss when I turn out the light

I go crazy wondering what there is to really see
Did the night just take up your time, 'cause it means more to me
Sometimes I forget what I'm doing, I don't forget what I want
Regret what I've done, regret you? I couldn't go on

And if you insist on knowing my bliss
I'll tell you this
If you want to know what the reason is
I'll only smile when I lie, then I'll tell you why

CHORUS