It was in 1978 that Duffy helped form Duran Duran with college friends Nick Rhodes and John Taylor. After recording demos and playing local gigs Duffy left the band to form Only Five Believers. This latter band evolved into The Hawks who released their sole single Words of Hope in 1980, beating his first band Duran Duran by a year.
The Hawks eventually dissolved and Duffy formed Tin Tin, a four-piece synth-led band who recorded Kiss Me (1983). This was picked up by WEA and became a major club hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Financed by Warners, Duffy moved to America for 1 year to write songs but was eventually dropped and returned to England to be signed by Virgin/10. In the meantime, he had relaunched himself as a solo artist called Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy. A re-recording of Kiss Me was reissued in 1985 and became a major hit followed by Icing on the Cake and the album The Ups And Downs. After this period, he dropped the Tin Tin from his name and proceeded to record as Stephen AJ Duffy. He released 3 more singles and 1 more album called Because We Love You. This marked the end of his pop phase.
Following an experimental dance album, Designer Beatnik under the alias Dr Calculus, Duffy was dropped by Virgin/10 and he returned to his folk roots and formed The Lilac Time with his brother, Nick. The band evolved into a four-piece and were picked up by Fontana. They recorded three albums and released 9 singles before they were dropped and signed to Alan McGee's Creation label. The resulting album, 1991's Astronauts was another critically acclaimed LP but also another commercial disaster. They were dropped by Creation and The Lilac Time split.
In 1993, after signing with EMI, the album Music in Colors was released. It was a collaborative effort with violinist Nigel Kennedy and featured 9 songs of Duffy and 9 instrumentals of Kennedy. It was credited to Stephen Duffy feat. Dr. Nigel Kennedy. Again, it was a commercial flop and the inevitable happened - Duffy was dropped. In 1994, he moved to Alaska and then to USA to start a record with R.E.M. and Velvet Crush producer, Mitch Easter. During this time, Duffy also started to regularly co-write songs with Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies and their songs can be heard on various BL albums from 1994 onwards.
After reading about the Britpop boom that was occurring in Britain in late '94, he managed to secure a deal with BMG subsidary Indolent and a new album simply called Duffy was released in 1995. By this time, he had dropped the Stephen from his name and rather Morrissey-like, he was simply known as Duffy. Even though the album was mostly recorded in the US, Duffy found himself wrapped up in the Britpop wave and he recorded a one-off single called Hanging Around as Me Me Me with Alex James of Blur in 1996. Reaching the lofty heights of #17, this was the first chart action Duffy had experienced in 11 years. He started to record his 2nd album as Duffy but shortly before it was to be released, he got dropped. Again.
Major indie Cooking Vinyl picked the album up (called I Love My Friends) and released it in 1998. After this, Duffy reformed The Lilac Time with his brother Nick and original drummer Michael Giri and also added the girl, who in 2008 would become Mrs. Stephen Duffy, Claire Worrall as backing vocalist. Worrall had been working as the touring keyboardist/backing singer/guitarist for Robbie Williams live band. The resulting album Looking for a Day in the Night was released in 1999. Somehow managing to keep a deal with Cooking Vinyl, the band released the follow-up Lilac6 in 2001. Three successive albums on the same label was a major feat but inevitably he was dropped in 2002.
Following a chance meeting with old Duran Duran bandmate, Nick Rhodes, the duo started to re-record old demos Duffy had found on a cassette in the back of a drawer. After 6 weeks of recording, the album Dark Circles credited to The Devils was released on their own label, Tape Modern. Featuring old Duran songs and brand new songs written by the duo, Rhodes commented that this is how the debut Duran LP would have sounded had Duffy stayed on with them.
His next project was a new Lilac Time album and this was released on his own label, Folk Modern, in 2003 and credited to Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time. The album wryly called Keep Going was again critically acclaimed but had little commercial success. Later that year, it was announced that Duffy was going to be new co-writer of Robbie Williams.
The following year, Duffy scored a #1 hit with the song Radio performed by Williams and produced & co-written by Duffy. The eventual fruits of their labour were realised in 2005 when the album Intensive Care was released. Duffy had major input in the album as sole producer, co-writer and multi-instrumentalist (guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, programming). Also during this year a self-titled album by The Vanity Project was released. This was an alias for Steven Page of Barenaked Ladiesand the album featured 12 songs co-written by Duffy.
In 2006, Duffy embarked on a major world tour with Robbie Williams as live on-stage guitarist and "musical director". Following this recent rise in his profile, much of his back catalogue has now been reissued by all his former labels. The latest Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time album Runout Groove was released in October 2007.
In September 2009, Duffy released his first major career retrospective, Memory & Desire - 30 Years in the Wilderness, covering both his work as a solo artist and as The Lilac Time.
Kiss Me
Stephen Duffy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Callers as though they were christmas eve
Disappointed and I don't know why
She gave me laughter and hope
And a sock in the eye (a love like this is sealed with a kiss)
In my young life and I know something now
I've never tried to create a wow
Now I can feel it in my soul
That's why I gave the come on
(Kiss, kiss, kiss)
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
(Kiss this with a kiss)
Faces fall before my feet
Like blood onto a clean white sheet
When I grow old I won't forget
To innocence my only debt
Wow I feel so fresh today
Barefoot in the snow to make love in the hay
The stars are bright in the abyss
Now I can feel you in my arms
I explode inside your kiss
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
The lyrics of "Kiss Me" by Stephen Duffy speak about young love and the mixed feelings that come with it. In the first verse, the singer talks about how he has had many suitors, but none have left a lasting impression on him. However, there was one girl who made him feel alive and gave him hope, but ended up hurting him as well. This love is something special, and it is "sealed with a kiss."
The next verse is an introspective one, where the singer talks about how he has never tried to "create a wow," but rather just let things happen naturally. He speaks about frustration being more common than excitement, and how he can feel the desire to be with someone in his soul. The chorus repeats the phrase "Kiss me with your mouth, your love is better than wine," emphasizing the importance of physical affection in relationships. However, despite the singer's declaration of love, he questions whether the other person truly loves him back, as all he has to offer is wine.
As the song progresses, the singer begins to feel more positive about his relationship. He talks about feeling fresh and alive, enjoying the world around him even in the cold snow. He describes being with the other person as feeling like the stars are bright in the abyss. The song ends by repeating the chorus, showcasing the singer's desire for love and affection from the other person.
Overall, "Kiss Me" is a song that beautifully captures the highs and lows of young love. It speaks to the desire for physical and emotional affection, as well as the insecurity that comes with not knowing whether the other person feels the same.
Line by Line Meaning
In my young life I have received
As a young person, I have been approached by admirers.
Callers as though they were christmas eve
These suitors have come to me with enthusiasm.
Disappointed and I don't know why
Despite their eagerness, I have been let down but I'm not sure why.
She gave me laughter and hope
One person in particular gave me happiness and optimism.
And a sock in the eye (a love like this is sealed with a kiss)
Their love was passionate and at times violent.
In my young life and I know something now
Now that I'm older, I understand more clearly.
I've never tried to create a wow
I never attempted to make a lasting impression.
Wows are few frustration more common
Experiencing frustration is more common than experiencing something amazing.
Now I can feel it in my soul
I now feel a deep emotion that consumes me.
That's why I gave the come on
This is why I started showing interest in someone.
(Kiss, kiss, kiss)
The word "kiss" implies physical affection.
Kiss me with your mouth
Share a deep, passionate kiss with me.
Your love is better than wine
Your affection is more fulfilling than alcohol.
But wine is all I have
I don't have much to offer except for this.
Will your love ever be mine?
I wonder if you will ever reciprocate my love.
(Kiss this with a kiss)
This repeats a previous line, further emphasizing the physical desire for affection.
Faces fall before my feet
People seem subservient to me.
Like blood onto a clean white sheet
This image implies the idea of domination and possession.
When I grow old I won't forget
I will always remember this point in my life.
To innocence my only debt
I owe my youthful naivety my unfulfilled pursuits.
Wow I feel so fresh today
I feel alive and rejuvenated.
Barefoot in the snow to make love in the hay
This is a vivid, romantic image.
The stars are bright in the abyss
This sentence gives a sense of wonder and beauty.
Now I can feel you in my arms
I am holding the object of my affection.
I explode inside your kiss
This implies a powerful, overwhelming emotion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stephen Duffy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lxtube
In my young life I have received
Callers as though they were christmas eve
Disappointed and I don't know why
She gave me laughter and hope
And a sock in the eye (a love like this is sealed with a kiss)
In my young life and I know something now
I've never tried to create a wow
Wows are few frustration more common
Now I can feel it in my soul
That's why I gave the come on
(Kiss, kiss, kiss)
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
(Kiss this with a kiss)
Faces fall before my feet
Like blood onto a clean white sheet
When I grow old I won't forget
To innocence my only debt
Wow I feel so fresh today
Barefoot in the snow to make love in the hay
The stars are bright in the abyss
Now I can feel you in my arms
I explode inside your kiss
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
Kiss me with your mouth
Your love is better than wine
But wine is all I have
Will your love ever be mine?
@oldandnew1234
Fabulous years and not a Mobile phone in sight, good old days, reminds me of my friend Ceri she died of Cancer 24 years old. RIP. Xxx
@jonfury9292
The eighties music kicks the shit out of all other decades.
@damian-795
That is so very true
@tomhaupt5238
Especially this decade!
@philnewton-england7795
Absolutely.
@ianscott3762
Most definitely
@Pazuzu82
I agree there is just something magical in most 80s songs
@katew7770
40 years since I first heard this and it's still bloody fantastic. Fab song and such a great great mix by The Art of Noise.
@AnAdorableWombat1
I love both versions so much!
@anneprice9974
Love this. So hypnotic...the bass note, the rhythm...always reminded me of another song. Our Lips are Sealed, Fun Boy Three