God Gave Rock And Roll To You II by Kiss

Album: Revenge (1991)

Charted: 4

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Songfacts®:

This is a reworking of a 1973 song by the band Argent titled "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You." Kiss' version adds lyrics dedicated to Eric Carr, who lost his battle with carcinoma in 1991.

The Argent song was written by their lead singer Russ Ballard, who got a songwriting credit on the Kiss song along with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and their producer Bob Ezrin. >>
Suggestion credit:
Beau - Phoenix, AZ
This was the last Kiss song Eric Carr appeared on. Carr was their drummer since 1980, and died of cancer in 1991 at age 41.

Carr didn't play drums on the track - incoming Kiss drummer Eric Singer did - but he did contribute backing vocals and also appeared in the video, which was shot while he was being treated for the disease. Bruce Kulick, who was the Kiss guitarist at the time, recalled in the book Tales From The Stage: "He played his heart out. He had more energy than I did. I couldn't believe it, but it meant a lot to him. You can see in his face in the video and photos that it's kind of drawn. You can tell that he wasn't healthy and fighting a disease, but I must say that he was very brave."
Released as a single in 1991, this song appeared in the film Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (starring Keanu Reeves) that year and was included on the soundtrack. In 1992, it was included on the Kiss album Revenge. Footage from the movie was used in the video.
In an interview with VH1, Gene Simmons said: "It's not just a cover song for a soundtrack, but a testament to Eric Carr, and I think a lot of people don't realize that."
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley share lead vocals on this song, as they did from time to time, including on their 1976 hit "Shout It Out Loud."
Bob Ezrin produced this song and the rest of the Revenge album. He produced three different Kiss albums, all in different decades: Destroyer (1976), The Elder (1982), and Revenge (1992). In a Songfacts interview with Paul Stanley, he said: "I think Revenge is a fabulous album. Really, really good. Everybody was on point, and Bob Ezrin was just firing on all cylinders. We were on a roll."
When Kiss wrapped up their End Of The Road tour with a show at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023, they introduced their new avatars with a video showing them performing this song (Gene Simmons has wings!). The band claimed it was their last tour in physical form (although we've heard that story before - their first "farewell tour" ended in 2001), but their avatars would carry on their legacy in a new era for the band.

Comments: 20

Keith from MassachusettsA few notes on the above article, some of which people have already touched on...

Eric Carr did play in the video for the song and sang backup vocals, but the actual audio recording of the drums was indeed done by Eric Singer.

As mentioned, this is NOT the first song since "Shout It Out Loud" with Paul and Gene sharing lead vocals. Both "I" and, to a lesser extent, "Only You," on "Music From The Elder" in 1981, features both singing lead parts.

Eric Carr was hired right around his birthday in July of 1980, before the Unmasked tour started, not 1982. He was 41 when he passed.
Danny Painter from Elkland, PaThis is for JH from Tronto. Eric Carr did appear on the drums and did the drumming for the video and the recording. It's documented that he did. Yes he was weak when doing it. But he did indeed did it.
Jh from TorontoJust to clarify, Eric Carr appeared on the recording, but as a back-up vocalist, not a drummer. He was too weak from chemo to play, so Eric Singer filled in.
Don from Sevierville, TnThe Christian rock group, Petra, also covered this song, but with different words. They recorded it twice, first in 1977, then again in 1984.
Gregg from Raceland, KyAccording to magazine interviews, Paul says that KISS met the band Argent in 1974 when they began opening for them. Talented keyboardist/composer and Argent mastermind Rod Argent was a former member of The Zombies.
Gene from New York City , Nywrong, gene and Paul shared lead vocals on "I" off Music from the elder in 1980 as well.
Gene from New York City , NyThat's wrong! Gene and Paul shared lead vocals on "I" off Music from The Elder in 1980.
Axeman from Melbourne, AustraliaIt just SHOWS to all, WHAT KISS, as musicians are REALLY capable of when they put their minds to it!

Kudos to Bob Ezrin for his interpretation on this Argent classic.

KISS did it and made it THEIR own! They still do it live & it goes OFF!

To Phil form Niagara, WTF IS KISS's 'style'? They have consistently proven them selves over the decades, to be, at times, as ECLECTIC as other bands sometimes are!
Luke from Manchester, EnglandKISS > Argent.

Argent are too happy clappy religious, lyrically. this is a testament to a great musician and former member of KISS...
Ethan from Helsinki, -Argent > KISS.
Jeff from Austin, TxI never liked this song much at all, but we would always freak out when the video was on because it showed old school Kiss footage. This was before the reunion and old Kiss footage wasn't easily accessable.
Connor from Buckie, Mathis is an ace song from a great band which i agree with tj that u should rock n roll all night and pary all day
Dave from Washington, DcThis song was also redone by Petra in 1977 as the first track on their 2nd recording. Great dual guitar track on the intro.
Sigmoid from Vancouver, CanadaThis song was featured at the end of the film "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" from 1991. Bill and Ted's band play it to win the battle of the bands.
Luke from Manchester, EnglandThis intro sounds like the intro to Red Dwarf
Luke from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Englandgreatest song ever
Linus from Hamilton, On, CanadaArgent version is better
Tj from Woodbridge, Vai think this song is about how people should "ROCK AND ROLL" and how classic rock will NEVER die. unlike disco(which nobody likes). KISS is awsome. I love almost all of there songs.
Adam from Manchester, Englandthis is a total kick-ass song by a kick-ass group!!
Phil from Niagara Falls, Canadahmm, this song dissapointed me because i didnt find it to be KISS' style...:(

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