A teenage symphony of first love and the magic of a kiss.
The year was 1963, a time of beehive hairstyles, vibrant colors, and a burgeoning youth culture finding its voice in rock and roll. Amidst this backdrop emerged a song that perfectly captured the giddy excitement and heart-fluttering innocence of first love: “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals. This iconic track, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, became an anthem for a generation, and its charm continues to resonate even today.
Behind the infectious melody and Phil Spector’s legendary “Wall of Sound” production lies a story of teenage romance, told with a captivating blend of naivety and breathless anticipation. The song’s narrative unfolds like a scene from a classic coming-of-age film. The lyrics paint a vivid picture: a young girl on a date, the nervous anticipation, the shared milkshake, and then… the kiss. It’s a moment of pure magic, described with wide-eyed wonder and a rush of emotions that anyone who has experienced first love can instantly recognize.
The song’s story is inextricably linked to the legendary producer Phil Spector, renowned for his innovative “Wall of Sound” technique. This production style, characterized by dense layers of instrumentation and echo, created a powerful, almost orchestral sound that was groundbreaking for pop music at the time. In ***”Then He Kissed Me”***, Spector’s production elevates the simple narrative to epic proportions, mirroring the overwhelming emotions of the young protagonist. The cascading strings, the driving percussion, and the soaring backing vocals all contribute to a sense of heightened drama, making the kiss feel like the most important event in the world.
While often attributed solely to The Crystals, the lead vocals on this track are actually performed by Darlene Love, a powerhouse vocalist who was a key figure in Spector’s stable of artists. This practice, common in Spector’s productions, sometimes led to confusion about which group was actually performing, but it also resulted in some of the most iconic recordings of the era. Love’s vibrant and expressive voice perfectly embodies the youthful exuberance of the song, adding another layer of authenticity to the story.
“Then He Kissed Me” is more than just a catchy pop song; it’s a cultural artifact that captures a specific moment in time. It speaks to the universal experience of first love, the butterflies in your stomach, the racing heart, and the feeling that everything has changed with a single kiss. It’s a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time, a reminder of the power of music to evoke powerful emotions and transport us back to cherished memories. For many, especially those who grew up in the 60s, hearing this song is like revisiting their youth, a time of innocence, hope, and the thrill of discovering the world. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless quality, its ability to connect with listeners across generations and remind us all of the magic of a first kiss. The song even inspired a sequel, “Then He Kissed Me” was later re-recorded by girl group The Darling Dears as ***”Then I Kissed Him”***, which was a hit for the Beach Boys as “Then She Kissed Me” in 1965. This further cements the song’s place in popular music history. It’s a song that continues to be played at weddings, proms, and countless other celebrations of love, a testament to its enduring power and its ability to capture the universal language of romance.