Beth (song)
Encyclopedia
"Beth" is a song by Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...

, originally released on their 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....

 album, Destroyer. To date, it is their highest-charting single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

, reaching #7 on Billboard's
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 charts. It is one of only two Gold selling singles for the band (the other being 1979's "I Was Made for Lovin' You
I Was Made For Lovin' You
I Was Made for Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album Dynasty. It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second Gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single was certified Platinum in the...

"), and their first of two Top Ten singles (along with 1990's "Forever
Forever (KISS song)
"Forever" is a Kiss song from the Hot in the Shade album. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the band's first American Top 40 single since "I Was Made for Lovin' You" reached number 11 in 1979. It was the band's seventh and, to date, last Top 20 US single. It also...

", #8). Beth was named #3 in Vh1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads.

Song history

Kiss's drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...

 Peter Criss
Peter Criss
George Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...

 sings the song, which he co-wrote with Stan Penridge. The song was written before Criss had joined Kiss, while he was still a member of Chelsea
Chelsea (American band)
Chelsea was an early 70's band from New York City. Known most notably for their drummer Peter Criss of Kiss fame. They released one album, the self titled album Chelsea in 1970 and then collapsed during the recording of their unreleased second album....

. Criss came up with the melody for the song while on a train to New York City from New Jersey where the band practiced. He and Chelsea guitarist Stan Penridge wrote the song together.

The name "Beth" referred to by the song is, in reality, not the name of either of the two women that inspired the song. A bootleg exists of the song from 1971, but the song was sung "Beck, what can I do?" "Beck" was the nickname of fellow Chelsea member Mike Brand's wife, Becky, who would call often during practices to ask Mike when he was coming home. Years later, while in Kiss, both Bob Ezrin
Bob Ezrin
Robert Alan "Bob" Ezrin is a Canadian music producer and keyboardist, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004.-Biography:...

 and Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...

 are credited for changing the song's title to "Beth," presumably to be more recognizable as a female name. According to interviews with Criss, around the same time, some of the lyrics were changed to reflect his wife Lydia Di Leonardo's lamentations that she missed him while on tour. So, the song is partly written to Becky and partly Lydia, though neither woman's name was "Beth" at all.

The song was a last-minute addition to the Destroyer album. According to Bill Aucoin, the manager of Kiss at that time, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley
Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...

 did not want "Beth" on the album because it was not a typical Kiss song. Bill insisted on keeping the song on the record.

When released as a single, however, "Beth" was initially the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...

 of "Detroit Rock City
Detroit Rock City (song)
"Detroit Rock City" is a song by the American hard rock group Kiss featured on their 1976 album, Destroyer. The song was written by Paul Stanley and Bob Ezrin and is about a real Kiss fan who was killed in a car accident on his way to a Kiss concert...

". But radio stations, particularly one in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

, began playing it more than "Detroit Rock City" and it quickly became a highly-requested selection. Kiss and Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...

 reissued "Beth" as an A-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...

 with "Detroit Rock City" as the B-side, and it was far more successful. The single went Gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...

 in the United States (the first Kiss single to do so) on January 5, 1977 and in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 on December 1, 1976.

In 1977, Kiss received a People's Choice Award for "Beth", one of the few industry awards the band ever won.

"Beth" is also credited as invigorating sluggish sales of the Destroyer album, which many fans initially saw as a misstep. It is also the only Kiss song that features no instrumental performances by any member of the band. Criss is backed by a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...

 and a string orchestra, a stark departure from the hard rock-oriented band.

Origin

The song was written by Peter Criss and Stan Penridge, both of whom were in a band called Chelsea. A demo tape of the song, however, was recorded later, during Criss's tenure in another band, Lips, immediately before he joined Kiss.

During the recording sessions for the song, Peter Criss was the only Kiss member in the studio.

Live, "Beth" was performed by Peter Criss alone on stage backed by a tape of the instrumental track. The acoustic version featured on Kiss Unplugged
KISS Unplugged
Kiss Unplugged is a Kiss album featuring the group performance in MTV Unplugged.On August 9, 1995, hard rock band Kiss performed on MTV Unplugged in what fans consider the beginning of the eventual Kiss Reunion Tour. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons contacted former members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley...

is the only recording with members of Kiss solely backing up Peter Criss. The version of "Beth" featured on the group's 2003 Kiss Symphony: Alive IV
KISS Symphony: Alive IV
Kiss Symphony: Alive IV is a 2003 live album from Kiss performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . The arrangements were made by David Campbell, who also conducted the MSO. It is the group's fourth album in the Alive series and first release under Kiss Records and Sanctuary Records...

DVD and subsequent album would be the only time the song was performed live with an ensemble. In 2010, the song was performed live for the first time with Eric Singer on acoustic guitars during their Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour
Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour
The Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour was a concert tour by American rock band Kiss in support of their 19th studio album Sonic Boom, which was released in October 2009....

 and again on their The Hottest Show on Earth Tour
The Hottest Show on Earth Tour
The Hottest Show on Earth Tour was a concert tour by Kiss in support of their latest studio release Sonic Boom. It is essentially the North American and international leg of the Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour, itself a continuation of the Kiss Alive/35 World Tour that started in 2008. Kiss also played...

 in 2011.

Sales certifications

Personnel

  • Peter Criss
    Peter Criss
    George Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...

    : Lead vocals.
  • Dick Wagner
    Dick Wagner
    Dick Wagner Dick Wagner Dick Wagner (born December 14, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa is an American rock music guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and KISS.-Performing career:...

    : Acoustic guitar
    Acoustic guitar
    An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...

    . (uncredited)
  • New York Philharmonic
    New York Philharmonic
    The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...

    -Symphony Orchestra. (uncredited)

Other versions

  • In 1988, Eric Carr
    Eric Carr
    Paul Charles Caravello , also known as Eric Carr, was an American musician, best known as drummer for the rock band Kiss. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss left in 1980...

     re-recorded the vocal track of "Beth" for the Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
    Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
    -Charts:AlbumSingles- Certifications :...

    compilation.
  • Peter Criss
    Peter Criss
    George Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...

     also redid the song acoustic style on his 1994 album Cat #1
    Cat 1 (album)
    Cat #1 is the fourth album released by former Kiss drummer Peter Criss, and first under the band name Criss.-Track listing:#"Bad Attitude" – 4:33#"Walk the Line" – 3:47...

    .
  • For the Kiss Unplugged
    KISS Unplugged
    Kiss Unplugged is a Kiss album featuring the group performance in MTV Unplugged.On August 9, 1995, hard rock band Kiss performed on MTV Unplugged in what fans consider the beginning of the eventual Kiss Reunion Tour. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons contacted former members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley...

    album and music video
    Music video
    A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

    , the original Kiss lineup performed a version of "Beth" that featured Peter Criss on vocals, Paul Stanley
    Paul Stanley
    Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...

     and Ace Frehley
    Ace Frehley
    Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...

     on acoustic guitars, and Gene Simmons on acoustic bass guitar
    Acoustic bass guitar
    The acoustic bass guitar is a bass instrument with a hollow wooden body similar to, though usually somewhat larger than a steel-string acoustic guitar...

    . However, they had to be taught the guitar version of the song by then-current lead guitarist Bruce Kulick
    Bruce Kulick
    Bruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....

     since none of them, said Stanley, knew how to play it properly. The performance received a rousing standing ovation
    Standing ovation
    A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...

    .
  • Paul Stanley
    Paul Stanley
    Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...

     can be seen plucking part of the song's melody on an acoustic guitar as Criss sings in the Kiss television film, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
    KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park
    Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park is a 1978 television film, starring American hard rock band Kiss...

    . However, this is the only time Criss' natural voice was heard in the film. A voice actor overdubbed his dialogue.
  • In the years after he quit Kiss in 1980, Peter Criss admits that he radically changed the song for live shows. By his own admission, he made it more "Vegasy
    Las Vegas Strip
    The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...

    ". With his return to Kiss in 1996 for their reunion tour, the song returned to the setlist. However, when Criss was again let go in 2001 (replaced by Eric Singer, who assumed Criss' catman persona), the song was again dropped from the setlist until the Sonic Boom Over Europe tour in 2010. During and following the tour, Kiss has again replaced the song on the setlist; however, the song is now sung by Eric Singer
    Eric Singer
    Eric Doyle Mensinger , better known as Eric Singer, is a hard rock and heavy metal drummer for the rock band Kiss and formerly for singer Alice Cooper...

     on vocals and Paul Stanley
    Paul Stanley
    Stanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...

     and Tommy Thayer
    Tommy Thayer
    Tommy Cunningham Thayer is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Kiss.- Early life :...

     on acoustic guitars.
  • Punk rock
    Punk rock
    Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...

     band the Groovie Ghoulies cover
    Cover version
    In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...

    ed "Beth" as an unlisted track
    Hidden track
    In the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...

     on their 1989 debut album Appetite for Adrenochrome
    Appetite for Adrenochrome
    Appetite for Adrenochrome is the debut album by the Sacramento, California punk rock band the Groovie Ghoulies, released in 1989 on their own independent label Crimson Corpse Records. It was recorded at Enharmonic Studios in Sacramento with the band's original lineup of Kepi Ghoulie , Rudge , Vetty...

    . No Use for a Name
    No Use for a Name
    No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...

     also covered the song as an unlisted track on their 1997 album Making Friends
    Making Friends
    Making Friends is a full length by the hardcore melodic punk rock band No Use for a Name, released in 1997. It also includes a hidden track cover of the Kiss song "Beth"...

    , as a medley
    Medley (music)
    In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...

     with the Beverly Hills, 90210
    Beverly Hills, 90210
    Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...

    theme. Hardcore punk
    Hardcore punk
    Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...

     band Coffin Break
    Coffin Break
    -History:Coffin Break was formed in Seattle in the late 1980s, during the time that grunge was beginning to catch on; however, the group eschewed the nascent alternative sound, taking their influences from punk rock. The group released its first two full-length albums and a compilation on C/Z Records...

     also covered "Beth" for the Kiss tribute album
    Tribute album
    A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...

     Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation
    Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation
    -Various labels:Waterfront Records DAMP-121 Southern Records DAMP-121 Records C/Z Records CZ-024 -External links:* Amazon...

    .
  • In the 2008 comedy film Role Models
    Role Models
    Role Models is a 2008 American comedy film directed by David Wain about two energy drink salesmen who are ordered to perform 150 hours of community service as punishment for various offenses. For their service, the two men work at a program designed to pair kids with adult role models. The film...

    , the main character Danny (who expressed his dislike for KISS and singing in front of crowds at the beginning of the movie) ends up serenading his girlfriend named Beth at a renaissance fair with a version of the song, with heavily improvised lyrics and the music being played on a mandolin and violin.
  • The song is featured in the 2009 film I Love You, Beth Cooper, and the titular character reveals she is named after the song.
  • In May of 2009, American Idol
    American Idol (season 8)
    The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...

    runner-up Adam Lambert
    Adam Lambert
    Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol...

     covered "Beth" during his performance with Kiss.
  • In a May 2010 Glee
    Glee (TV series)
    Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...

     episode "Theatricality
    Theatricality
    "Theatricality" is the 20th episode of the American television series Glee. The episode was written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, and premiered on the Fox network on May 25, 2010. In "Theatricality", glee club member Tina Cohen-Chang has an identity crisis...

    ", the cast of Glee covered the song. "Beth" is also the name chosen for Puck and Quinn's daughter, whom is given up for adoption.
  • In February 2011, "Beth" was covered by Laughon Bryant & The Midnite Riders on their album entitled "Down That Road".

Appearances on Kiss albums

"Beth" appears on the following Kiss albums:
  • Destroyer
  • Alive II
    Alive II
    Alive II is a 1977 live album from Kiss. It is the group's eighth album and second live album.-The songs:The origins of Alive II go back to early 1977 when the band's manager, Bill Aucoin, had the idea to have Eddie Kramer record a live album during the evening show at Budokan Hall in Tokyo on...

    - Live version
  • Double Platinum
    Double Platinum (album)
    Double Platinum is the first greatest hits album by the American hard rock band Kiss.Many of the songs on Double Platinum were remixed and significantly differ from their original versions...

  • Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
    Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
    -Charts:AlbumSingles- Certifications :...

    - Eric Carr
    Eric Carr
    Paul Charles Caravello , also known as Eric Carr, was an American musician, best known as drummer for the rock band Kiss. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss left in 1980...

     vocal
  • Kiss Unplugged
    KISS Unplugged
    Kiss Unplugged is a Kiss album featuring the group performance in MTV Unplugged.On August 9, 1995, hard rock band Kiss performed on MTV Unplugged in what fans consider the beginning of the eventual Kiss Reunion Tour. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons contacted former members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley...

    - Live acoustic version
  • You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!
    You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!
    You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! is a Live hits album released by American hard rock band Kiss. The album was issued to coincide with the group's 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour. All of the songs on the album are live versions. Most were taken from Alive! or Alive II but four recordings had...

  • Greatest Kiss
    Greatest KISS
    Greatest Kiss is a compilation album of previously available material released by the American hard rock band Kiss. Along with You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!, this album was issued to coincide with the group's 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour...

  • The Box Set
  • The Very Best of Kiss
    The Very Best of KISS
    , -Personnel:*Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar , lead vocals , guitar solo , first guitar solo on , bass guitar .*Gene Simmons – bass guitar , lead vocals...

  • 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss
  • Kiss Symphony: Alive IV
    KISS Symphony: Alive IV
    Kiss Symphony: Alive IV is a 2003 live album from Kiss performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . The arrangements were made by David Campbell, who also conducted the MSO. It is the group's fourth album in the Alive series and first release under Kiss Records and Sanctuary Records...

    - Live version
  • Gold: 1974-1982 - Sound & Vision
  • Gold
    Gold (KISS album)
    Gold is a 2005 greatest hits collection from hard rock band Kiss. This two-disc set covers the band's recordings from 1974 to 1982. All tracks are previously available.-Track listing:Disc 1:#"Strutter"...

  • Ikons
    Ikons
    Ikons is a 4 CD box set compilation album by Universal Music Group, featuring material recorded by American hard rock band Kiss. Each CD in the set is named after one of the original band members, collecting songs that represent his contribution to the band. In 1996 the 'KISS-Ikons' concept was...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK