"Last Kiss"
Single by Wayne Cochran
B-side"Funny Feeling"
Released1961
Recorded
  • July 1961 (original version)
  • 1963 (Macon, Georgia) (re-recorded version)
StudioUGA Campus (Athens, Georgia) (original version)
GenrePop[1]
Label
  • Gala (original version – 1961)
  • King (re-recorded version – 1963)
Songwriter(s)

"Last Kiss" is a song released by Wayne Cochran in 1961 on the Gala label. It failed to do well on the charts.[3] Cochran subsequently re-recorded his song for the King label in 1963. It was revived by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, who took it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Wednesday, Pearl Jam, and several international artists also covered the song, with varying degrees of success. The song was one of several teen tragedy songs from that period.

Content

The singer borrows his father's car to take his girlfriend out on a date, and comes upon a stalled car in the road. Unable to stop, the singer swerves to the right to avoid it, losing control and crashing violently in the process, knocking his girlfriend and himself unconscious. The singer later regains consciousness in the midst of a rainstorm, and finds several people at the scene of the accident. While partially blinded by the blood flowing from his injuries, the singer is able to find his girlfriend, still lying unconscious. When he cradles his girlfriend lovingly in his arms, she regains partial consciousness, smiling and asking the singer to "hold me, darling, for a little while." The singer then gives her the titular "last kiss" as she fades into death.

In the song's chorus, the singer vows to be a good person so that he may reunite with his love when his time comes, believing she has made it into Heaven.

Original version

By Wayne Cochran, Joe Carpenter, Randall Hoyal, and Bobby McGlon (1961)

In the summer of 1961, four friends traveled to the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, to record a song Wayne Cochran had written, with Joe Carpenter, Randall Hoyal, and Bobby McGlon, called "Last Kiss". Cochran (vocals), Carpenter (guitar), Bobby Rakestraw (bass), and Jerry Reppert (drums) recorded the song for the Gala label, a small label based in Vidalia. When the labels for the 45s, Gala #117, were printed, the names of co-writers Joe Carpenter, Randall Hoyal, and Bobby McGlon were left off. Cochran evidently never asked Gala to change the label to include the other names; to this day, Cochran is the only one credited with writing "Last Kiss".

Cochran went on to re-record the song for release on Aire Records (1962),[4] in a slightly different tempo, with some changes to the lyrics and for re-release on King Records in 1963. In all, Cochran recorded four versions of the song, the original, Gala #117, Boblo Records #101, King Records #5856, and Aire Records #150, released as "Last Kiss" b/w "Edge of the Sea", with Cochran sharing vocals with an unnamed male vocalist. The Aire disc was easily the most different version of all, with heavy reverb and a staccato drumbeat. Aire Records, located in Dublin, Georgia, credited the song to Perry Music, as did the Gala recording. The Boblo disc credited "Last Kiss" to Macon Music, while the King record cited Boblo-BMI. The Boblo record featured "Last Kiss II" b/w "Hey! Baby" (Boblo 101-A), produced by Bobby Smith, offering another take on the song, with different lyrics, a faster tempo, and different instrumentation. A fifth version of the song was cobbled from the Boblo recording, rechanneled for stereo, on Radical Musik Records, probably around 1973.

On September 18, 1961, Billboard Music Week printed a review of the song "Last Kiss" and gave it three stars.[5] None of the records charted.

Billboard had kind words for the B-side, in its review of "Last Kiss" — giving four stars to the song called "Funny Feeling", on the flip side, written by Joe Carpenter and Milt "Pete" Skelton. The reviewer said, "Blues, chanted in relaxed style, with a funky guitar backing. Derivative but a good job."[5]

J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers version

"Last Kiss"
Danish vinyl single
Single by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
from the album Last Kiss
B-side"That's How Much I Love You"
ReleasedJune 1964
Recorded1964
StudioAccurate Sound Co. (San Angelo, Texas)
GenrePop, teen tragedy
Length2:25
LabelJosie
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Sonley Roush
  • Ron Newdoll
J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers singles chronology
"Last Kiss"
(1964)		 "Summertime"
(1964)

"Last Kiss" was recorded in August 1964 by the Cavaliers of San Angelo, Texas, with J. Frank Wilson as singer. The record was first released locally, on Le Cam Records (#722), then on Tamara Records (#761), becoming a local hit. Eventually released on Josie Records (#923), a subsidiary of semimajor label Jubilee Records, the record became a national hit in the fall of 1964.

Released on September 5, 1964, Josie 923 spent 15 weeks on the charts, reaching number two on November 7. "Last Kiss" spent eight weeks in the top 10; the record sold over one million copies, earning the band a gold record.[6] The Le Cam #722-A disc running time is 2:14, while both the Tamara Records #761 release and the Josie Records #923 platter have a time of 2:25.

On a concert trip to Ohio, the band had just left Parkersburg, West Virginia, heading to Lima, Ohio, for a performance at the Candy Cane Club. At about 5:15 am, Roush apparently fell asleep at the wheel. The car drifted across the centerline and rammed head-on into a trailer truck. Roush was killed, but Wilson, sitting in the front seat, and Bobby Wood (vocalist/piano) from Memphis, sitting in the back, survived with serious injuries, including broken ribs and a broken ankle. Wilson went on with the tour, though, taking only a week off. People still remember him coming out on the stage on crutches to sing "Last Kiss" and "Hey, Little One". The accident had a curious effect on record sales, nevertheless, pushing the song to number two (it had previously stalled at number three) on the national charts.[7]

The Last Kiss album cover shows Wilson kneeling over the young woman portraying the dying girl. Supposedly, first printings of the cover showed blood trickling down the girl's face, but it was air-brushed out by the record company for fear that alienating parents would limit sales of the album.

Wilson, with or without the Cavaliers, continued to record until 1978. He died on October 4, 1991, due to alcoholism. He was 49 years old.[8][9]

Chart performance

Wednesday version

"Last Kiss"
Single by Wednesday
from the album Last Kiss
B-side"Without You"
ReleasedNovember 1973
GenrePop
LabelAmpex
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Dee Driscoll
Wednesday singles chronology
"Hang On Girl"
(1971)		 "Last Kiss"
(1973)		 "Teen Angel"
(1974)

In 1973, "Last Kiss" was covered by the Canadian group Wednesday. Their version reached number two in Canada and number 34 in the United States. It is ranked as the 27th-biggest Canadian hit of 1973.[16] Their version climbed up the charts very slowly, and spent three weeks longer on the American charts than the Cavaliers' much bigger hit.[17]

As a result of the popularity of Wednesday's rendition, the Cavaliers' version was re-released (Virgo 506) at the end of 1973. It reached number 92 in January 1974, spending five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. The original hit version recharted five weeks after the version by Wednesday entered the charts.

Charts


Pearl Jam version

"Last Kiss"
Single by Pearl Jam
from the album No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees
B-side"Soldier of Love"
ReleasedJune 8, 1999 (1999-06-08)
Recorded1998
VenueConstitution Hall (Washington, D.C.)
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:16
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam singles chronology
"Wishlist"
(1998)		 "Last Kiss"
(1999)		 "Nothing as It Seems"
(2000)

"Last Kiss" was also covered by American rock band Pearl Jam for the 1999 charity album No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees.[21] It would later appear on the group's 2003 rarities album Lost Dogs. This version was successful, especially in Australia, where it topped the ARIA Singles Chart for seven weeks. It also reached number one in Iceland for six weeks and peaked at number two in the United States and Canada, making it the band's highest-charting single in either country.

Origin and recording

The idea to cover "Last Kiss" came about after vocalist Eddie Vedder found an old record of the song at the Fremont Antique Mall in Seattle, Washington.[22] He convinced the rest of the band to try out the song, and it was performed a few times on the band's 1998 tour. The band eventually recorded the song at a soundcheck at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and released it as a 1998 fan club Christmas single.[23][24] The band spent only a few thousand dollars mixing the song.[25] Bassist Jeff Ament said, "It was the most minimalist recording we've ever done."[26]

Release and reception

In 1998, the cover of "Last Kiss" began to be played by radio stations and was ultimately put into heavy rotation across the US. By popular demand, the cover was released to the public as a single on June 8, 1999. The proceeds went to the aid of refugees of the Kosovo War.[24] The cover was featured on the 1999 charity compilation album, No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees.[27] The song helped earn about $10 million for Kosovo relief.[25]

The cover reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving Pearl Jam their highest-peaking song on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at number four on the Top 40 Mainstream chart. The song reached number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The "Last Kiss" single has been certified gold by the RIAA.[28]

Outside the United States, the song reached number two on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and became the band's highest-charting song in Canada. It later charted on the RPM Rock Report, where it reached number four and stayed there for two weeks. In Europe, "Last Kiss" reached number 42 in the United Kingdom and number 77 in the Netherlands. In Australasia, "Last Kiss" peaked atop the Australian ARIA Singles Chart for seven weeks and became a top-20 success in New Zealand. It also reached number one in Iceland, staying at the summit for six weeks.

Christopher John Farley of Time said, "It's a spare, morose song with Vedder's voice warbling lovelorn over a straight-ahead drum beat. Going back to basics has put Pearl Jam back on top."[21] Regarding the cover, guitarist Stone Gossard said, "You can try album after album to write a hit and spend months getting drum sounds and rewriting lyrics, or you can go to a used record store and pick out a single and fall in love with it."[29] Pearl Jam included "Last Kiss" on the 2003 B-sides and rarities album, Lost Dogs, and on the 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003).

Live performances

Pearl Jam first performed its cover of "Last Kiss" live at the band's May 7, 1998, concert in Seattle, at ARO.space.[30] Live performances by Pearl Jam of "Last Kiss" can be found on various official bootlegs and the Live at the Gorge 05/06 box set.

Track listing

CD, 7-inch, and cassette single[31][32][33]

  1. "Last Kiss" (Wayne Cochran) – 3:15
  2. "Soldier of Love" (Buzz Cason, Tony Moon) – 2:54

Personnel

Personnel are taken from the Lost Dogs album booklet.[23]

  • Pearl Jam – production
  • Brett Eliason – mixing, engineering

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[66] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[67] Gold 30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[28] Gold 800,000[68]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States December 1998 Fan club 7-inch vinyl Epic [24]
June 7, 1999 [69]
June 8, 1999 Contemporary hit radio [70][71]
  • CD
  • cassette
 [24]
Japan June 23, 1999 CD SME [72]
United Kingdom August 2, 1999
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Epic [73]

Other cover versions

The song has a long tradition in Latin American popular music. The most popular version was recorded in 1965 by Mexican singer Polo (ex-member of Los Apson) with the title of "El Último Beso" in Spanish, translated by Mexican TV director and tennis teacher Omero Gonzalez, this Spanish version has been covered by several bands, notably by singer Alci Acosta who had a hit in 1967 in Colombia, as well as José "Joseíto" Martínez in 1990, the song with which he won a Congo de Oro in the Barranquilla Carnival. Mexican singer-songwriter Gloria Trevi released her version of the song in 1989, peaking at number 36 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.

References

  1. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (November 27, 2017). "Wayne Cochran, Singer With High Energy and Big Hair, Dies at 78". New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Joseph Edward Carpenter". The Thomaston Times. May 20, 2005. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Best Of '99: Author Of Pearl Jam's Biggest Hit Has God To Thank" Archived January 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. VH1.com. July 12, 1999.
  4. ↑ "Forgotten Hits". Forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com. January 26, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Reviews of New Singles". Billboard. Vol. 73, no. 37. September 18, 1961. p. 77. Retrieved November 22, 2017 – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "Last Kiss" by J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers". songfacts.com.
  7. ↑ Matthew, Brian. "Sounds of the 60s". BBC Radio 2. September 26, 2009.
  8. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "J. Frank Wilson | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1990 - 1991". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ Flavour of New Zealand, 19 November 1964Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002
  11. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002
  12. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 11/07/64". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  13. ↑ [Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002]
  14. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 1/12/74". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1964/Top 100 Songs of 1964". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Canada, Library and Archives (February 8, 2017). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada.
  17. 1 2 Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  18. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 334. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  19. ↑ Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  20. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  21. 1 2 Farley, Christopher John. "Last Kiss". Time. July 19, 1999.
  22. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan. "The Pearl Jam Q & A: Lost Dogs". Billboard. 2003.
  23. 1 2 Lost Dogs (US CD album booklet). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2003. E2K 85738, EK 90778.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. 1 2 3 4 Pietroluongo, Silvio (May 29, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 22. p. 97.
  25. 1 2 (2003) Album notes for Lost Dogs by Pearl Jam, [CD booklet]. New York: Sony Music.
  26. ↑ Stout, Gene. "Pearl Jam's Ament has smaller fish to fry at festival". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. July 30, 1999.
  27. ↑ "The Unofficial Pearl Jam FAQ". vitalogy.de.
  28. 1 2 "American single certifications – Pearl Jam – Last Kiss". Recording Industry Association of America.
  29. ↑ Anderman, Joan. "Wisdom of Pearl". The Boston Globe. May 24, 2006.
  30. ↑ "Pearl Jam Songs: "Last Kiss"" Archived May 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. pearljam.com.
  31. ↑ Last Kiss (US CD single disc notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 1999. 34K 79197.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ Last Kiss (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 1999. 667479 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ↑ Last Kiss (US cassette single sleeve). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 1999. 34T 79197.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ "Pearl Jam – Last Kiss". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  35. ↑ "Pearl Jam – Last Kiss" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  36. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8449." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8466." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8368." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Britney Spears se coloca entre las más escuchadas". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). October 17, 1999. p. 88. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn (2.8–5.8. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). August 6, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 29, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Pearl Jam – Last Kiss" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  43. ↑ "Pearl Jam – Last Kiss". Top 40 Singles.
  44. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  53. ↑ "Pearl Jam Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  54. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  55. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  56. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  57. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks". RPM. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  58. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  59. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 47.
  60. 1 2 "1999 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  62. ↑ "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 38.
  63. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on January 26, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  64. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  65. ↑ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  66. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  67. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Pearl Jam – last kiss" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 4. BPI Communications Inc. January 22, 2000. p. 63. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  69. ↑ "Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2258. June 4, 1999. p. 39.
  70. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1302. June 4, 1999. p. 42. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  71. ↑ "Gavin T40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2258. June 7, 1999. p. 12.
  72. ↑ "パール・ジャム" [Pearl Jam]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
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