K is for Kiss

Here are some songs about kissing, all of which charted on the US pop charts.

 

Some couples have “our song” or “our place.” My wife and I seem to have “our drawing.” It is, of course, “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – February 6, 1918). My wife has a book about it, we have it on a mug, and at some level, it is an idealized version of us.

Klimt, according to Wikipedia, painted it “between 1907 and 1908, the highpoint of his ‘Golden Period’, when he painted a number of works in a similar gilded style. A perfect square, the canvas depicts a couple embracing, their bodies entwined in elaborate robes decorated in a style influenced by both linear constructs of the contemporary Art Nouveau style and the organic forms of the earlier Arts and Crafts movement. The work is composed of conventional oil paint with applied layers of gold leaf, an aspect that gives it its strikingly modern, yet evocative appearance…”

“Klimt was 45 when he painted The Kiss, still living with his mother and two unmarried sisters,” yet reportedly had, let’s say, an active romantic life. There was a 2006 film called Klimt, starring John Malkovich, which I did not see, but it did not review well.

The artist was honored with a Google doodle in honor of the 150th anniversary of his birth earlier this year. Check out iklimt.com or klimtgallery.org for more information about Gustav Klimt.
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Here are some songs about kissing, all of which charted on the US pop charts. I didn’t bother with Kiss by Prince, because his people are always taking down YouTube videos.

Kiss on My List – Hall & Oates (1980)
Kiss You All Over – Exile (1978)
Kisses Sweeter than Wine – Jimmie Rodgers (1957)
Kiss An Angel Good Morning – Charley Pride (1972)

What are your favorite songs about kissing?

ABC Wednesday – Round 11

Author: Roger

I'm a librarian. I hear music, even when it's not being played. I used to work at a comic book store, and it still informs my life. I won once on JEOPARDY! - ditto.

25 thoughts on “K is for Kiss”

  1. My favourite song about “Kisses”is the European Song contest winner of Great Britain:in 1976 by the Brotherhood of Man “Save Your Kisses for Me”.
    Your painting by Klimt is very beautiful. I like art nouveau very much! Shall I do the Kagerplassen also for ABC? Well then I shall save the post I had in mind for the next round.

  2. I’m going to have to go with Prince’s (or is it still the artist formerly known as?) “Kiss”

  3. I love Klimt’s works…they’re so decadent – all that gold and richly designed ‘fabrics’. I live in NYC near the Neue Gallery which houses lots of Klimts so I get to see them first-hand. They are breath-taking! Great post.

  4. I am not familiar with this man’s work but I really like it. I will have to do a bit of research on him myself.
    I would love to have that picture on a mug too.

  5. I have always felt a little sorry for that poor woman getting her neck squashed all for a kiss. her hand position makes me think she is ready to yank his hand away from her throat.

  6. One of my favorite artists and this one is so popular ~ Great choice ~ (A Creative Harbor)

    thanks for coming by and commenting ^_^

  7. We have “our song” but never thought of “our painting”. Thats really a pretty cool thing to have. I love all of those song about “kiss”.
    Ann

  8. Glad you featured a close-up as well as the entire painting. Recently came upon “Then He Kissed Me’ by the Chrystals which is now one of my favs♫♪

  9. Fascinating painting, must be quite an experience to see it in the flesh/gold leaf. It would appear Vienna might be the perfect romantic destination for you both.

  10. Spent last week with Peanut so the first song that comes to mind is “Kiss the Girl,” sung by Sebastian, the Jamaican crab!

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