"Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" is a song written by Harry Noble and originally performed by American singer Karen Chandler in 1952. It has been re-recorded several times since then, the most notable covers being by Mel Carter in 1965 and Gloria Estefan in 1994.
Karen Chandler version The original version was released by Karen Chandler in 1952, released by Coral Records. It first appeared on the US Billboard charts on October 25, 1952"The Billboard Music Popularity Charts", Billboard, October 25, 1952. p. 60. Accessed September 25, 2016. and last appeared on April 11, 1953,"Top Popular Records", Billboard, April 11, 1953. p. 30. Accessed September 25, 2016. peaking at number five on Billboard's chart of "Most Played by Jockeys","Top Popular Records", Billboard, March 7, 1953. p. 32. Accessed October 21, 2015 number seven on Billboard's chart of "Best Selling Singles","Top Popular Records", Billboard, February 7, 1953. p. 32. Accessed October 21, 2015 and number nine on Billboard's chart of "Most Played in Juke Boxes"."Top Popular Records", Billboard, February 21, 1953. p. 44. Accessed October 21, 2015
Mel Carter version
The version most often associated with the song was recorded by American singer and actor Mel Carter, released in 1965 on Imperial. Carter's version spent 15 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eight,Mel Carter - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed October 21, 2015 while reaching number one on Billboard's Easy Listening chart,"Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening", Billboard, August 28, 1965. p. 20. Accessed October 21, 2015 number two on Canada's "RPM Play Sheet"," and number four on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade. Chart No. 441. CHUM.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1965)PeakpositionAustralia (KMR)21Canada Play Sheet (RPM)2Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)4US Billboard Hot 1008US Easy Listening (Billboard)1US Cash Box Top 100 12
Year-end charts Chart (1965)RankUS Billboard Hot 10014US Cash Box Top 10051
Gloria Estefan version
In 1994, Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan released a cover of "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me", released in November 1994 by Epic Records as the second single (only in Europe and Australia) from her fourth solo album, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (1995). It was produced by Estefan's husband Emilio Estefan, Jr. with Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald, and also included a new song, "If We Were Lovers", which is the English version of her 1993 hit "Con Los Años Que Me Quedan". "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" peaked at number one in Spain and Panama. In the UK, the single peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
Critical reception In a retrospective review, Maryann Scheufele from AXS wrote, "You can not help but move with this slow moving song. She uses every bit of her breath as she sings and she never hesitates to carry a note to completion. Music just dances around Gloria Estefan when she stays in one place to sing." Upon the release, a reviewer from Billboard magazine noted the "thrilling sounds" of the song, complimenting it as "elegant". Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel named it a standout of the album, "on which Estefan shines through with sincerity".Campbell, Chuck (October 28, 1994). "Bedtime' With Madonna Is A Bit Drowsy". Knoxville News Sentinel. Music & Media wrote, "Raise the curtains please. Gloria excels on a ballad which is so big that it gets above the clouds, just like radio waves." Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues said, "The song is cheesy but Gloria seems aware of this and goes for broke by upping the drama."
Formats and track listings
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1994–1995)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)48Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)38Europe (European Hit Radio)28Germany (Media Control)97Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)35Ireland (IRMA)22Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" for Israeli chart history.29Panama (UPI)1Scotland (OCC)13UK Singles (OCC)11UK Airplay (Music Week)5
Year-end charts Chart (1994)PositionUK Singles (OCC)80
Certifications
Other versions A version was released by American singer Muriel Smith in 1953, which reached No. 3 on the United Kingdom's New Musical Express chart.Muriel Smith - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Accessed August 27, 2015
Sonny Til and The Orioles released an R&B version in 1953 (Jubilee 5108) Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists By Bob Leszczak
American singer Connie Francis included a memorable version on her 1959 album The Exciting Connie Francis.
Greek singer Nana Mouskouri released a version of the song produced by Quincy Jones in 1962.
Dick and Dee Dee released a version of the song on their 1966 album, Songs We've Sung on Shindig.
Shirley Bassey also covered the song on her 1969 album Does Anybody Miss Me.
In 1977, Bobby Vinton released a version of the song on the album The Name Is Love and as a single. Vinton's version reached No. 43 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart."Easy Listening", Billboard, August 27, 1977. p. 57. Accessed October 21, 2015
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me was performed by She and Him and is featured on their fourth album Volume 3, in 2013.
Nelson Riddle instrumental orchestral version from the 1961 album "Love Tide".
Influence The song gave title for albums by Mel Carter (1965), Johnny Mathis (1977), and Gloria Estefan (1994), and was later referenced by U2's 1995 song "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me", from the soundtrack of the film Batman Forever.
Mel Carter's version was featured in the film named after the song, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.
In the 1995 film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, a fragment of Johnny Mathis' recording backs an internal summit point.
See also List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1965 (U.S.)
References
External links