The rock icon Gene Simmons (born Chaim Klein Witz on August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel) is the performer and entertainment mogul best known as "The Demon"- his blood spitting, fire breathing, tongue-wagging persona in the rock band KISS. His parents are Jews originally from Hungary, having fled the carnage of World War II to seek refuge in Israel. He plays bass guitar and sings. Simmons currently lives in Beverly Hills, California with his long time partner Shannon Tweed and their two children, Nicholas and Sophie. Simmons claims he has had sex with over 4,600 women. However in a 2004 documentary on The Biography Channel, his partner claimed that such statements were made for publicity reasons and are in fact not true.
Nick Simmons, Gene's son, is also a famous hard rock musician.
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The rockabilly star Gene Simmons was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1958. While playing different clubs in the Memphis area in his early years, Gene's unique style and down to earth manner caught the prized attention of Sam Phillips, owner of the infamous "Sun Records" company. It would just be a matter of days before the fast-acting Sam Phillips would add Gene to his impressive list of stars signed with Sun Records: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Charlie Rich.
As his musical career was continuing to develop, Gene was approached and joined the famous "Bill Black Combo" as lead singer. Together, the Combo gained national attention and made appearances on popular television shows which, of course, included "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "American Bandstand."
Their performances continued to gain favor with the public until the untimely death of Bill Black. Gene soon signed with "Hi Records" and made a name for himself shortly after release of the whimsical and delightful "Haunted House" in 1964. It would be his first national million selling smash hit and would launch him on a lengthy world tour.
Returning to the states, and due a long-awaited rest, the creative, international star turned his talents to song writing. Barbara Mandrell, Mel Tillis, Gene Watson, and a host of other Nashville recording artists performed his songs.
The 1980's saw the resurgence of "Old Time Rock 'N Roll" abroad which brought about the re-issue of Gene's entire catalog of recordings throughout Europe. Once again, Gene would find himself touring away from home-this time bringing his 50's and 60's hits to a new generation of fans. Gene co-wrote "Indian Outlaw" by Tim McGraw, selling over 5 million copies and co-wrote songs for Hank Williams, Jr., and Ken Mellons.
Living In Sin
Gene Simmons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you send your pictures for my wall
You found the hotel where I'm stayin'
And you built up the nerves and then you called
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn
(Just living in sin)
You tell me, you want me to protect you
But sometimes my love can go too far
Deep in your heart you wanna love me
Come closer, I know who you are
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah
(Living in sin)
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn
(just living in sin)
Deep in your heart you wanna love me
Come closer, I know who you are
I know who you are
Huh, hello baby
Hello, oh, is this Gene Simmons?
Oh, can I, aw, oh my God, oh, uh, what room is
Is it true what they say about you
That you get to show your face personally
Gene, uh, oh my God
I know you write me sexy letters
But sometimes my love can go too far
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah
(Living in sin)
I'm living in sin
(At the Holiday Inn)
At the Holiday Inn
(Just living in sin)
Living in sin
I'm living in sin
(Holiday at the Holiday Inn)
(Living in sin)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah
(Holiday, living in sin
Living in sin)
Won't you open the door?
(Holiday at the Holiday Inn)
(Living in sin)
Won't you come on in
(Out )
In
(Out)
(Living in sin)
I'm living in sin
(Holiday at the Holiday Inn)
(Living in sin)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah
(Holiday, living in sin)
(Living in sin)
Open my door
(Holiday at the Holiday Inn)
(Living in sin)
Won't you come on in
(Out )
In
(Out)
In the song “Living in Sin” by Gene Simmons, the singer describes being pursued by a fan who has been sending him letters and pictures. The fan eventually tracks down the hotel where he is staying and calls him there. Despite the singer’s protestations that his love can be dangerous, the fan persists in trying to get closer to him. Throughout the song, the singer declares that he is “living in sin” at the Holiday Inn, emphasizing the sense that he is doing something wrong or forbidden.
The lyrics of “Living in Sin” reflect the glam rock aesthetic of Simmons’ band, Kiss. Like many glam rock performers, Simmons reveled in the excesses of rock stardom, highlighting the pleasures and dangers of fame, sex, and drugs. At the same time, the song also comments on the downside of celebrity, depicting a fan who is desperate for attention and connection with her idol, but unable to recognize the potential harm in her behavior. In this sense, “Living in Sin” represents a critique of the pop culture that fostered Kiss’ rise to prominence.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you write me sexy letters
You have sent me seductive messages in writing
And you send your pictures for my wall
You have sent me photographs of yourself to adorn my living space
You found the hotel where I'm stayin'
You have located the temporary residence where I am currently staying
And you built up the nerves and then you called
You have gathered the courage to call me after some degree of self-doubt and hesitation
Deep in your heart you wanna love me
You have an inclination towards loving me that stems from a deep place within yourself
Come closer, I know who you are
Move nearer to me, I understand your identity
Huh, hello baby
An expression of greeting
Is it true what they say about you
Are the rumors regarding you accurate?
But sometimes my love can go too far
However, on occasion, my fondness for you can exceed reason or measure
Won't you open the door?
Would you please unlatch, push, or swing the portal leading into this room?
Won't you come on in?
Would you please take a step towards entering this domain?
I'm living in sin (At the Holiday Inn) At the Holiday Inn, yeah (Living in sin)
I am residing in morally/religiously offensive behavior (At an establishment called The Holiday Inn)
Living in sin I'm living in sin (Holiday at the Holiday Inn) (Living in sin)
Continued iteration conveying that I am engaging in behavior of a debaucherous nature (At this same Holiday Inn location)
At the Holiday Inn, yeah (Holiday, living in sin Living in sin)
Again, emphasizing the fact that I am corrupting myself while physically present within The Holiday Inn
In Out (Living in sin) I'm living in sin (Holiday at the Holiday Inn) (Living in sin)
A switch in wording conveying a form of indulgence/turmoil (Happening at The Holiday Inn)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON BON JOVI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@irafutterman5557
At college in the early seventies Gene was my classmate he asked me if he could play some of his original songs for me and my bass player friend who ended up working as a psychiatrist. The experience was quite memorable, the tunes were good being melodic with good hooks. Kiss hit big a couple of years later with songs that were nothing like what Gene had played for us.
@supernoah71
He was in Wicked Lester before Kiss. They recorded an album that was never released. The music was unrelated to Kiss though kiss did rework two Wicked Lester songs that appear on the kiss album Dressed to Kill and I believe one of the Wicked Lester guys cowrote a song with Gene that appears on the kiss album Hotter Than Hell.
@Jaggerbush
Me too.... we must know each other!
@TheLobescoper
Me too.
@TheRobinDC
My youngest son found this for me and I love it. I used to have the original record that I played till it wore out.
@doncormier8500
I still have all there albums
@DavianSinner
The phone call cracks me up LOL. Slight nod to the Big Bopper there.
@vmanblack2912
Perhaps the most honest song Gene has ever written.
@cangong
first rock album i bought (well, my parents did), exactly 41 years ago, june 1980! i was only 8 years old, and a cousin of mine had told me about these weirdos called Kiss. i didn't know what was in store for me, in a good sense. when i got home and played the record, i was instantly converted ha: some sort of epiphany ocurred when the LP's intro fuses into a very decent hard rocking riff on 'Radioactive'. the doors of perception opened up; i stopped caring for my toys and became obsessed with Kiss and music. by 81 i was already on the highway to hell, so to speak- i discovered lots of heavy bands and never looked back. i'm almost fifty now, still long-haired, still listening and discovering bands on a daily basis, still playing in bands.. Nowadays, i feel Gene's album is a bit weak here and there, but with at least four great tunes. my fave Kiss solo LP is Ace's, total stoner, spaced out heavy glam... but i'm digressing. living in sin, indeed ;)
@vincentvalentine2260
Wow, and here it's my first time hearing this... at 13 years!!