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.
Words
Peter Criss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's all kind of ladies
That'll make you feel good
Now some sure can do it
And some think they could
Now I'm really not braggin'
'Cause I've been with them all
I don't need them no more
[Chorus]
'Cause baby, you drive me
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Come on
[Verse]
Now I may be wild
Still you drive me insane
You got me so crazy
I can't remember my name
And now that I've got you
Don't you get out of hand
'Cause you might be losing
One Hell of a man
[Chorus]
[Solo]
Cause baby you got me
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Yeah
Baby, you got me
Out of control
You stole my soul
Ooooo baby
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control
Out of control, yeah
I said
Ooh baby
The lyrics to Peter Criss's song "Words" seem to be conveying the message of how the singer has been with different types of ladies but ever since he met his current lover, none of the other ladies matter to him. He is so smitten by this woman that she drives him out of control. The singer seems to be implying that although he may have been wild before, the passion that he feels for this particular woman is on another level entirely. The song seems to be a declaration of love and desire for a woman that has completely captivated the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are pretty straightforward and showcase the singer's infatuation with his current lover. It is a celebration of the intense passion that they share and expresses the idea that the woman in question is the only one that matters to him. It's a fairly simple love song, but the message is conveyed effectively through the energetic and upbeat tempo of the music.
Line by Line Meaning
There's all kind of ladies
Peter Criss is acknowledging that there are various types of women available out there.
That'll make you feel good
He knows that some of these women can provide pleasure to men.
Now some sure can do it
He affirms that some women are absolutely adept at fulfilling men's desires.
And some think they could
Some women have the confidence but lack the expertise to satisfy men.
Now I'm really not braggin'
Peter Criss understands that what he's about to say may come off as bragging.
'Cause I've been with them all
He's had experiences with all kinds of women in his life.
But since I've met you baby
Since he met his current partner, things have changed for him.
I don't need them no more
He no longer needs the other women in his life because his current partner satisfies him completely.
'Cause baby, you drive me
His partner has a powerful influence on him.
Out of control
He's been taken to a different level of passion because of her.
Out of control
The repetition of this line reinforces the idea that he's overpowered by her.
Out of control
He's feeling an intensity of emotions that he's never experienced before.
Out of control
His passion has reached an uncontrollable level.
Now I may be wild
Peter Criss acknowledges that he has a wild side.
Still you drive me insane
His partner's influence on him is so strong that even his wild side is unable to maintain control.
You got me so crazy
He's experiencing an intense level of desire for her.
I can't remember my name
The strength of his passion is so powerful that it's causing him to forget even the simplest things about himself.
And now that I've got you
He's grateful to have her in his life.
Don't you get out of hand
He warns her not to abuse the power she holds over him.
'Cause you might be losing
If she misuses her power over him, she may lose someone who truly loves her.
One Hell of a man
Peter Criss sees himself as a valuable partner for her.
Cause baby you got me
She has full control over him.
You stole my soul
He feels that she's taken possession of his heart and soul.
Ooooo baby
An expression of his passion and desire for her.
Contributed by Alyssa L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.