Kiss and Tell
Brian Ferry Lyrics


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Ten cents a dance
It's the only price to pay
Why give 'em more
When it's only love for sale?
Adam and Eve
It's the oldest game in town
Just a one way street
To a faded magazine

Kiss and tell
Money talks - it never lies
Kiss and tell
Give and take
- eye for an eye
Fever - the heat of the night
Dreamer - stealer of sighs

One public face
In a private limousine
Flash photograph
It's the only light you see
No secret life
There's no secret you can steel
Your lips are moving
But I will never know
What they mean

Kiss and tell
Money talks - and love...it burns
Kiss and tell
Give and take - we live and learn
Fever - the heat of the night
Dreamer - stealer of sighs

Fever - the heat of the night
Dreamer - stealer of sighs

Kiss and tell
We never lie
Kiss and tell
Eye for an eye
Kiss and tell
Blood on a nail
Kiss and tell
Kiss me again
Kiss and tell
Kiss and tell
Kiss and tell
Kiss and tell
Kiss and tell




Kiss and tell
Kiss and tell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song “Kiss and Tell” by Brian Ferry speak about the nature of love in a capitalist society. The first lines, “ten cents a dance, it's the only price to pay, why give 'em more when it's only love for sale?” explain how love has become a commodity, where people can buy and sell it. It portrays the idea that individuals do not value love, rather, they value the money and material possessions that can come with it. The reference to Adam and Eve as the oldest game in town implies that the act of kissing and telling has existed since the beginning of time and is not a new phenomenon. The lines “Just a one way street, to a faded magazine” suggest that this behaviour is self-centred, temporary, and lacks depth.


The chorus “Kiss and tell, money talks - it never lies, kiss and tell, give and take - eye for an eye, fever - the heat of the night, dreamer - stealer of sighs” further emphasises the theme of capitalism in the context of love. It portrays how “kiss and tell” can be equated with giving and taking, and that individuals expect something in return for their affection. The mention of “fever” and “dreamer” signify a passionate and often unrealised love where people steal sighs from each other to appear that they have stolen that person’s heart. The reference to a “private limousine” and “flash photograph” creates a sense of glamour and fame around the act of kiss and tell, something that is increasingly common in our society.


Line by Line Meaning

Ten cents a dance
The price to pay for love is cheap and easily attainable.


It's the only price to pay
Love doesn't require any other form of payment or commitment.


Why give 'em more
There's no need to offer anything more when love is the only thing being sold.


When it's only love for sale?
Love is a commodity that can be bought and sold, no more, no less.


Adam and Eve
Love and desire have been around since the beginning of time.


It's the oldest game in town
Love and lust remain a constant in society and human behavior over time.


Just a one way street
Love is often unrequited or imbalanced, with one person giving and the other taking.


To a faded magazine
Love can be fleeting, and often the source of inspiration is nothing more than an old, worn out fantasy.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Money talks - it never lies
Money has a powerful and unyielding impact on romantic relationships and often overrides any other factors.


Give and take - eye for an eye
Relationships are often transactional, with each partner seeking to get what they want and retaliate when they don't.


Fever - the heat of the night
Passion and desire are intense, wild emotions that drive us in the night.


Dreamer - stealer of sighs
The one who dreams and imagines can steal the heart and soul of another with just a sigh.


One public face
Putting on a façade or public version of oneself.


In a private limousine
Living a glamorous or exclusive lifestyle that's hidden from public view.


Flash photograph
Capturing fleeting moments and memories through photos and images.


It's the only light you see
The only real view or moment captured is often the brief flashes of light from a camera or spotlight.


No secret life
There is nothing hidden or secretive about one's life or experiences.


There's no secret you can steal
There's no mystery or hidden knowledge to uncover or attain.


Your lips are moving
You're saying things but not being truthful or transparent.


But I will never know what they mean
There's no way to truly understand what someone is saying when they're not being honest or genuine.


Money talks - and love...it burns
Love can cause deep pain and regret despite being a powerful force in our lives.


Give and take - we live and learn
Life is a series of transactions, and we learn lessons and make mistakes as we try to navigate them.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Fever - the heat of the night
Passion and desire are intense, wild emotions that drive us in the night.


Dreamer - stealer of sighs
The one who dreams and imagines can steal the heart and soul of another with just a sigh.


We never lie
Being completely honest and transparent.


Eye for an eye
Retaliation for wrongdoing or hurt feelings.


Blood on a nail
Petty or small-scale violence or aggression in response to conflict.


Kiss me again
Desire and longing for physical contact and intimacy.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.


Kiss and tell
Sharing intimate details about one's romantic experiences or partners.




Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@cecile5090

Still listening in 2024. He had the best voice in rock.

@adriangabrielzancada1173

Estoy de acuerdo contigo!. Su música estilizada, su voz elegante y su delicada banda, Roxi Music, los hacen únicos! Saludos desde Buenos Aires

@chaotic_geisha

Elegant music for elegant people 🤍

@martinmcdonald4207

I`ve been a paid up member of that club since the `70`s! in with the `in crowd`. Cheers.

@reginaldoalves3246

Are there still elegant people in this chaotic world?

@lifeneverfeltsogood

​@@reginaldoalves3246 not many.

@user-fr4rf8ew4n

Для меня настолько редкое имя что подумал автор этого комментария Danielle Moore из Crazy P😅

@dgeci

@@reginaldoalves3246 Some hipsters with bears and stuff but they are boring people way too self centered and way too serious. The 80's were creative, stylised but also light hearted. This kind of (false) innocence has been lost.

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@micheladerry5681

a very classy man. There arent any today... what a pity

@AndyJ-ps6yv

Timeless. They don’t come any cooler than Mr. Ferry!

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