"Kissin' Cousins" is a song first recorded by Elvis Presley as the title track for the soundtrack of the 1964 motion picture Kissin' Cousins.[2] The movie also featured a completely different song, titled "Kissin' Cousins (No. 2)", written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye.[2]
"Kissin' Cousins" | ||||
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Single by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires | ||||
from the album Kissin' Cousins soundtrack | ||||
A-side |
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Released | February 10, 1964 | |||
Recorded | 1963 | |||
Genre | Rock and Roll, pop | |||
Length | 2:14 | |||
Label | RCA Victor | |||
Songwriter(s) | Fred Wise Randy Starr | |||
Producer(s) | Chet Atkins | |||
Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires singles chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Billboard | Favorable[1] |
The song was written by Fred Wise and Randy Starr.[2][3][4][5] [6][7][8] The song was published by Elvis Presley's company Gladys Music, Inc.
Elvis Presley recorded his vocals for the song (over an earlier-recorded backing track) on October 10 (or possibly in the early morning of October 11), 1963.[9][10]
The song was first released as a single on February 10, 1964, with "It Hurts Me", a non-movie song, on the opposite side as RCA Victor 47–8307.
"Kissin' Cousins" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11][12] [8] ("It Hurts Me" also charted, peaking at number 29.)
The song's first LP release was in March 1964 on the Kissing Cousins soundtrack LP (LPM-2894 in mono and LSP-2894 in stereo).[13]
On March 27, 1992, the single "Kissin' Cousins / It Hurts Me" was certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies.[14]
Reviewing the single "Kissin' Cousings / It Hurts Me" in its February 15, 1964 issue, Billboard called the two songs "[t]wo more contenders for chart honors from Elvis."[1]
First side is from forthcoming film and features good middle tempo rock with voices and guitars in support.[1]
Chart (1964) | Peak position |
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"Kissin' Cousins" | |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] | 12 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16] | 33 |
Germany[17] | 27 |
Norway (VG-lista)[18] | 6 |
UK (Official Charts Company)[19] | 10 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] | 12 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[20] | 10 |
"Kissin' Cousins / It Hurts Me" | |
Australia (retrospect Kent Music Report)[21][8] | 7 |
Kissin' Cousins Wise Starr.