About the song
“Kiss You All Over” is a quintessential hit from 1978 that showcases the distinctive sound of the American rock band Exile. This chart-topping single, which became a defining moment for the band, was penned by the prolific songwriting duo Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. Featured on Exile’s third studio album, *Mixed Emotions*, the track boasts a memorable performance by lead vocalist Jimmy Stokley and guitarist J.P. Pennington.
The song’s success was meteoric, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks starting September 30, 1978, and cementing its place as the No. 5 song of the year. “Kiss You All Over” not only resonated with American audiences but also captured the hearts of listeners internationally, reaching number one in at least three other countries. In the UK, it achieved a respectable peak at number 6 on the singles chart. The track’s infectious melody and catchy chorus are underpinned by a lush arrangement featuring synthesizer strings, adding to its allure and timeless quality.
In an intriguing tidbit, Casey Kasem reported on the American Top 40 broadcast of May 26, 1979, that Chapman drew inspiration for “Kiss You All Over” from Barry White’s sensual “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me.” Despite this major hit, it turned out to be Exile’s only significant pop success, though they would later enjoy considerable acclaim in the country music arena.
The song’s impact was further acknowledged in 2010 when Billboard ranked it tenth on their list of “The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time.” Tragically, lead vocalist Stokley, who was pivotal to the song’s success, was removed from the band in 1979 and faced health challenges that led to his early death in 1985. Following the peak of “Kiss You All Over,” Exile shifted their focus to country music in the 1980s. This transition proved fruitful, as they achieved over ten No. 1 hits on the U.S. country charts, solidifying their legacy in a different musical genre.
Overall, “Kiss You All Over” remains a memorable and influential piece of music history, celebrated for its catchy tunes, memorable lyrics, and its role in shaping Exile’s career.
Video
Lyrics
When I get home, babe, gonna light your fire
All day I’ve been thinkin’ about you, babe
You’re my one desire
Gonna wrap my arms around you
And hold you close to me
Oh, babe I want to taste your lips
I want to fill your fantasy, yeah
I don’t what I’d do without you, babe
Don’t know where I’d be
You’re not just another lover
No, you’re everything to me
Everytime I’m with you, baby
I can’t believe it’s true
When you’re layin’ in my arms
And you do the things you do
You can see it in my eyes
I can feel it in your touch
You don’t have to say a thing
Just let me show how much
I love you, need you, oh babe
I want to kiss you all over
And over again
I want to kiss you all over
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
No one else can ever make me
Feel the way you do
Oh, so keep on loving me baby
And I’ll keep loving you
It’s easy to see
When something’s right or something’s wrong
So stay with me baby and hold me all night long
Show me, show me everything you do
‘Cause baby no one does it quite like you
I love you, need you, oh babe
I wanna kiss you all over
And over again
I wanna kiss you all over
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me, baby
Here with me, near with me
Feeling you close to me, baby
So show me, show me everything you do
‘Cause baby no one does it quite like you
Love you, need you, oh babe
I wanna kiss you all over
And over again
I wanna kiss you all over
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in
Till the night closes in