Peter's first solo album came out in 1978 along with the other three member's solo albums. Although receiving major play for the retro rock n roll tune "Tossin' and Turnin'", the album was the least favorite of the four, in large part because it strayed away from the 'Kiss sound' and focused on the slower, more chill sounds that Criss favored. Criss grew up listening to crooners such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Said facts were a sign of how the four band members had significantly drifted apart, as Criss' vision differed greatly from his associates.
In 1979, KISS released 'Dynasty'. Criss's only contribution to the album was the track "Dirty Livin'", which featured him on lead vocals. Kiss used a session drummer, the famous Anton Fig, for the rest of the album. Although Criss' aforementioned tune received kudos, the end of his role in the band was clearly coming. Despite materialistic success, his personal life also appeared in turmoil.
Criss left Kiss in 1980, with the drug and alcohol abuse plaguing his life as well as musical differences coming to a head. He started a solo career that led to sporadic touring and three additional studio releases. Some of those releases received some critical praise, such as the appropriately titled 'Let Me Rock You' (compared by Allmusic to "catnip" for the ears) that featured help from no less than Kiss' Gene Simmons.
Yet Criss had many demons to deal with. Even though Criss was featured on the 'Unmasked' album cover, he did not play a single beat on the album. The band replaced him with musician Eric Carr. Tragedy struck when Carr passed away from cancer-related complications on November 24, 1991. Kiss as a very idea, let alone a band, appeared in jeopardy. Though the group brought in Eric Singer to replace Carr, their commercial and critical fortunes had waned much from their 70s heyday.
In 1995, Criss was asked to sing with Kiss (then made up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, and Singer) at a Kiss Convention which ignited a spark of the idea of a reunion of the four original members. He sang "Hard Luck Woman" and "Nothin' to Lose." Later on that year, Criss joined Kiss and Ace Frehley for an acoustic session for MTV's Unplugged Series. He sang and played four songs: "Beth", "2,000 Man", "Nothin' to Lose", and "Rock and Roll All Nite".
This was the "icing on the cake" because, a year later, Criss, Frehley, Stanley, and Simmons donned the war paint (which Kiss hadn't worn since 1983) and put their larger than life boots back on for a Reunion Tour, which was the biggest tour in the world at the time. Criss was ecstatic to play with Kiss again. Criss and the others released 'Psycho Circus' in 1998. Like in the past, Criss and Frehley were credited on the album, but session drummers were used for most of the album. Criss sang the Beth-esque track "I Finally Found my Way", written by Paul Stanley.
Two years later, in 2000-2001, Kiss announced their Farewell Tour, which also became a huge series of events. About 3/4 into the tour, Criss was becoming unhappy with his salary and he was also tired of playing two hour shows every night. On the night Kiss played Trenton, New Jersey, Criss had a "tear" pasted on his face. Many people say this was a sign that Criss wasn't coming back because for the next show, Kiss had to bring back Eric Singer, who put on the 'Cat Man' make-up and finished the tour (since Simmons and Stanley owned the make-up designs, Criss couldn't stop them).
Kiss was silent in 2002, but then, in 2003, Kiss planned a once in a life-time concert event with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Criss was back behind the skins (some say they needed him to sing "Black Diamond" and "Beth", which were symphony worthy). Criss then stayed with Kiss to play on the World Dominination Tour along side Aerosmith (since the set was 80 minutes, Criss had an easier time playing). After the tour, Criss called it quits again, but on far better terms than in the old days.
On April 11, 2014, Kiss was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Earning an enthusiastic audience response when they appeared, the original band members reunited once again. Though the rockers did not perform, they all showed up in person to accept their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 29th annual induction ceremony and thanked their fans.
Show Me
Peter Criss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So what, what does it mean
We're burning down like mercury
God save the Killer Queen
And I know what's up in this life
It ain't a mystery, it's a fantasy
It's a long, long ride and it hurts like hell
One track minds takin' the best of me
I've got an itchy trigger finger that will set me free
[Chorus]
Tell me where you're going
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
Tell me what you're knowing
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
Caffeine and nicotine
C. Everette Coop's looking out for me
But you can buy a gun to kill a Kennedy
From a magazine
Mother Mary what's the use
When I ain't got nothing left to lose
Salvation always goes to my head
One track minds takin' the best of me
I got my finger on the button of insanity
I'm tired of hearing 'bout what could be
Just take me down, take me down, take me down
Tell me where you're going
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
Tell me what you're knowing
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
[Solo]
Tell me where you're going
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
Tell me what you're knowing
I know there's something better
Show me where you've been
I've got to know
The song “Show Me” by Peter Criss is about a man’s journey through life, searching for something better while dealing with the pain and struggle of the long ride. He describes the various modes of transportation he takes in life- planes, trains, and limousines- questioning their significance and trying to make sense of his journey. He references Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen, and calls him the Killer Queen, asking God to save him.
The singer of the song is introspective and understands that life is not a mystery, but rather a fantasy- a long ride that can be painful and difficult. He struggles with his own inner demons, with one-track minds and an itchy trigger finger that he feels will set him free. He references Caffeine and Nicotine, awareness commercials, and the assassination of JFK in his song, painting a picture of a man who has seen too much and has grown tired of the world’s problems.
In the chorus, the singer pleads with someone to show him where they’ve been and what they know. He’s desperate to find something better than what he’s experiencing but is also willing to embrace the unknown and become vulnerable. He’s tired of hearing about what could be and wants to experience it for himself.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on life's journey and the search for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Planes, trains and limousines
Traveling in luxury and opulence
So what, what does it mean
Questioning the significance of material possessions
We're burning down like mercury
Deteriorating quickly and uncontrollably
God save the Killer Queen
A plea for help in saving a dominant and powerful figure
And I know what's up in this life
Having a clear understanding of the realities of life
It ain't a mystery, it's a fantasy
Acknowledging that life can be a dream-like fantasy
It's a long, long ride and it hurts like hell
The journey of life can be difficult and painful
One track minds takin' the best of me
Being consumed by single-minded thoughts
I've got an itchy trigger finger that will set me free
Desiring to take action and break free from constraints
Tell me where you're going
Asking for direction and guidance
I know there's something better
Believing that there is a better path to take
Show me where you've been
Requesting insight and experience from others
I've got to know
Having a strong desire for knowledge and understanding
Caffeine and nicotine
Referencing commonly used stimulants
C. Everette Coop's looking out for me
Feeling watched over by a public health official
But you can buy a gun to kill a Kennedy
Commenting on the ease at which one can obtain a deadly weapon
From a magazine
Referencing the availability of firearms at newsstands
Mother Mary what's the use
Expressing frustration and confusion
When I ain't got nothing left to lose
Feeling like there is nothing left to lose
Salvation always goes to my head
Believing that one is saved from harm
I got my finger on the button of insanity
Feeling out of control and unstable
I'm tired of hearing 'bout what could be
Frustration with hearing about potential future outcomes
Just take me down, take me down, take me down
Wanting to escape from reality and negative thoughts
solo
Instrumental section of the song
Tell me where you're going
Asking for guidance and direction
I know there's something better
Believing in the existence of a better path
Show me where you've been
Requesting insight and experience from others
I've got to know
Feeling a strong desire for knowledge and understanding
Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mikeg5872
This Video and Song is so awesome.This is by far Peter's Best Album he every came out with hands down.
@gnarshred1239
I wish he'd have dropped this in the 80's his solo career could've gone alot differently , in my opinion one of the only listenable peter criss tracks
@danofearmanggiafazzula1756
Totally agree with you i have his 2 first LP's they don't even come close to this, i was amazed at how a good rocking voice he has
@tonymather9179
with mike stone from queensryche