Hard Luck Woman
Encyclopedia
"Hard Luck Woman" is a song by the American
hard rock band Kiss
and the lead single
from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over
. The song was originally written by Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley
as a possible track for Rod Stewart
, but when Stewart showed no interest in singing it, Kiss decided to keep it for themselves.
Sung by drummer Peter Criss
, the band was trying to follow the success of the hit single "Beth
" released earlier in the year by releasing another love song sung by Criss. The plan worked, as the single proved to be a Top 20 hit in the U.S., peaking at #15.
A "live" version of "Hard Luck Woman" appears on Kiss's 1977 Alive II
album; although, it was later revealed that the song was recorded in an empty warehouse with an audience overdub for a live feel.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock band 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,...
and the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over
Rock and Roll Over
-Personnel:*Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar , vocals*Gene Simmons - bass guitar, vocals, rhythm guitar on "Ladies Room"*Ace Frehley - lead guitar, backing vocals*Peter Criss - drums, percussion, vocals-Charts:-Certifications:...
. The song was originally written by Kiss guitarist 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...
as a possible track for Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, but when Stewart showed no interest in singing it, Kiss decided to keep it for themselves.
Sung by drummer 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...
, the band was trying to follow the success of the hit single "Beth
Beth (song)
"Beth" is a song by Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album, Destroyer. To date, it is their highest-charting single, reaching #7 on Billboard's American charts. It is one of only two Gold selling singles for the band , and their first of two Top Ten singles...
" released earlier in the year by releasing another love song sung by Criss. The plan worked, as the single proved to be a Top 20 hit in the U.S., peaking at #15.
A "live" version of "Hard Luck Woman" appears on Kiss's 1977 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...
album; although, it was later revealed that the song was recorded in an empty warehouse with an audience overdub for a live feel.
Cover versions
- Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters did a cover version on their 2005 album "Long Playing".
- In 1994, country star Garth BrooksGarth BrooksTroyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
did a straight rendition of "Hard Luck Woman" for the Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss RegroovedKISS My Ass: Classic KISS Regrooved-Charts:Album - Billboard Singles - Billboard -External links:*...
tribute album, for which Kiss provided the musical accompaniment. Kiss and Brooks also performed the song live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in promotion of the album.
- Japanese Thrash MetalThrash metalThrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Rosenfeld covered this song on their 1994 Live AlbumLive albumA live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
In The Garden as a Hidden TrackHidden trackIn 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...
.
- Danish heavy metal band Pretty MaidsPretty MaidsPretty Maids are a Danish heavy metal band from Horsens, Denmark. Formed in 1981 by Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer. Their sound and music can be described as classic guitar-laden heavy rock with a strong emphasis on melodic elements like vocals and keyboards....
covered this song on their 1997 album, Spooked.
- With Kanako Nakayama, Redd Kross covered this song on the 1998 tribute album, Kiss Tribute In Japan
- Japanese pop singer Maki NomiyaMaki Nomiyais a Japanese singer and musician. She released her first solo album in 1981, and worked through the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the New Wave band Portable Rock. In 1991 she became the lead singer of the band Pizzicato Five. When the group disbanded in 2001 she embarked on a solo career...
covered this song on her 1999 album, Miss Maki Nomiya Sings.
Personnel
- Peter CrissPeter CrissGeorge 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/drums - Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley 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...
- twelve string acoustic guitar/backing vocals - Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul 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...
- acoustic guitar - Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene 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:...
- acoustic bass