The Perfect Kiss Explained

"The Perfect Kiss" is the ninth single by the English alternative dance and rock band New Order. It was recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London and released on 13 May 1985.^[1] It is the first New Order song to be released as a single while also included on a studio album (Low-Life). The vinyl version has Factory catalogue number FAC 123 and the video has the opposite number, FAC 321.

Background

The song's themes include love ("We believe in a land of love") and death ("the perfect kiss is the kiss of death").^[2] The overall meaning of the song is unclear to its writer today. In an interview with GQ magazine Bernard Sumner said "I haven't a clue what this is about." He agreed with the interviewer that his best known lyric is in the song: "Pretending not to see his gun / I said, 'Let's go out and have some fun'". The lyrics, he added, came about after the band was visiting a man's house in the United States who showed his guns under his bed before they went out for an enjoyable night. It had been quickly written, recorded and mixed without sleep before the band went on tour in Australia.^[1]

The song has been remixed by third parties like Razormaid and Hot Tracks and has been covered by bands including Capsule Giants, Nude,^[3] International,^[4] Paradoxx, Razed in a New Division of Agony,and Amoeba Crunch.^[5]

Reception

John Leland of Spin wrote, "A dreamy, melancholy melody runs over the electronic and unfortunately guitar-less hooks. But the best part is the end, when they turn all the machines to max and mash the thing up."^[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7]	85
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[8]	2
UK Indie (MRIB)[9]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1985)! scope="col"

Position
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[10]	47
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)	37

Notes and References

1. Gale . Lee . 2012-03-29 . GQ&A: Bernard Sumner . New York City . . Condé Nast . 2017-01-31.
2. Lariviere . Aaron . 2013-01-25 . The 10 Best New Order Songs . . New York City . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . 2017-01-31.
3. Web site: neworderonline.com. 2007-10-17., song browser entry for "The Perfect Kiss"
4. Web site: neworderonline.com. 2007-10-17., band bio for International
5. Web site: amoebacrunch.com . The Perfect Kiss . 2007-10-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140813141741/http://amoebacrunch.com/L9123.html . 2014-08-13.
6. . Singles. John Leland. August 1985. 4. 36.
7. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. 1993. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 0-646-11917-6. 215.
8. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 29, 1985. nl. Dutch Top 40. 26 March 2023.
9. Book: Lazell, Barry. New Order. http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/n.htm. Indie Hits 1980–1989: The Complete U.K. Independent Charts (Singles & Albums). Cherry Red Books. 1997. 0-95172-069-4. 7 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20110606210333/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/n.htm. 6 June 2011.
10. 1985 The Year in Music & Video – Top Dance Sales Singles/Albums / Top Dance Club Play Singles/Albums . Billboard . 97 . 52 . 28 December 1985 . T-23 . 0006-2510 . Google Books.