PW's Song Of The Week: SONG OF THE WEEK: 5-31-2026

SONG: "Uh! All Night"

ARTIST: Kiss

ALBUM: "Asylum"

YEAR: 1985

PLACE OF ORIGIN: New York City, New York

YEARS ACTIVE: 1973 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The meaning of the 1985 Kiss song "Uh! All Night" is a straightforward, literal celebration of partying, let-loose fun, and sexual release as a reward for surviving the daily grind of a working-class job.

KISS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1974 - Kiss (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #87 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1974 - Hotter Than Hell (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1975 - Dressed To Kill (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1975 - Alive (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1976 - Destroyer (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

1976 - Rock And Roll Over (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1977 - Love Gun (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1977 - Alive II (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

1978 - Gene Simmons (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1978 - Ace Frehley (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1978 - Peter Criss (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1978 - Paul Stanley (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1979 - Dynasty (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1980 - Unmasked (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1981 - The Elder (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #75 on the Billboard 200

1982 - Creatures Of The Night (Casablanca Records)

* Peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1983 - Lick It Up (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1984 - Animalize (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1985 - Asylum (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1987 - Crazy Nights (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1989 - Hot In The Shade (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1992 - Revenge (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1993 - Alive III (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1996 - Kiss Unplugged (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1997 - Carnival Of Souls (Mercury Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Psycho Circus (Mercury Records)

* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2003 - Kiss Symphony: Alive IV (Sanctuary Records)

* Peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200

2006 - Alive! The Millennium Concert (Universal Records)

* Peaked at #167 on the Billboard 200

2009 - Sonic Boom (Kiss Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

2012 - Monster (Universal Records)

* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

2016 - Kiss Rocks Vegas (Eagle Rocks Entertainment)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON KISS:

Kiss is a New York City band that formed back in 1973. Founded by guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, the band was rounded out with Peter Criss on drums/vocals and Ace Frehley on lead guitar/vocals. Known for their heavy sound, especially live, and their iconic face paint, the early years were a struggle for the band. The band's self-titled debut (1974), "Hotter Than Hell" (1974) and "Dressed To Kill (1975) were struggling to sell and the future of the band was very much in doubt at this time. What they lacked in the studio, they more than made up for as a live act. They were garnering quite the reputation as a live band, often out-performing headline acts. Lots of bands didn't want Kiss to open for them for fear of getting blown off the stage! In 1975, Kiss took a shot in the dark and tried to capture their live performance on album. The result was "Alive!" and the rest is, well, Kisstory! "Alive!" rescued the band and lit a fire under them. In 1976, the band released their most ambitious album. Produced be Bob Ezrin, "Destroyer" is often considered to be Kiss' best album. The roller coaster ride was getting to the top at this point and for the members of Kiss, it was time to hold on tight! The years from 1975 to 1978, Kiss was on top of the world. They were selling out world tours and releasing platinum albums such as "Rock And Roll Over", "Love Gun" and "Alive II". Whatever small cracks that were appearing within the band, however, were beginning to open wider. In an effort to try to save the band, the group decided to release four solo albums under the Kiss name. This was kinda the beginning of the end for the original line-up of Kiss. Peter Criss basically didn't perform on "Dynasty" other than his own track "Dirty Livin'". Criss did not perform at all on 1980's "Unmasked" and was ousted by the band following the release of "Unmasked". Eric Carr took over drumming duties at that point. In 1981, a disastrous decision was made to do a concept album which would be "The Elder". Guitarist Ace Frehley, who did not like the direction the band was going in basically since "Dynasty", wanted Kiss to do a full on heavy rock album but with Criss gone, Frehley was often out-voted by Stanley and Simmons two to one. Frehley did not fully contribute to "The Elder". After "The Elder", Frehley decided to quit the band. Frehley's behavior had been erratic going all the way back to "Destroyer". His use of alcohol and drugs and hard partying lifestyle would sometimes get in the way of his contributions to the band. Though Simmons and Stanley tried to talk Frehley into staying in the band, Frehley felt at that time that if he stayed he might die. Vinnie Vincent would take over on lead guitar at that point. After "Creatures Of The Night", Kiss decided to remove that make up and costumes, a move generated to put some spark under the band. The early 80's had been a lean time for Kiss and they were looking for anything to give them a spark. Their first album without the make-up, "Lick It Up" was a good start for the band. The 80's were a weird time for the band. They always seemed like they were looking to find an identity and often, it seemed like they were following whatever was popular at that time. After having nothing but headaches with Vinnie Vincent, the band brought in Mark St. John for "Animalize" in 1984. St. John developed some condition which made his hand swell so Bruce Kulick was brought in to play live shows and eventually, Kulick was made the lead guitarist. In 1992, it seemed Kiss finally grew comfortable in their "unmasked" skin with their album "Revenge", both in sound and look. "Revenge" saw Eric Singer take over drumming duties as Eric Carr passed away tragically in 1991 due to cancer. When Kiss was tabbed to do an iconic MTV Unplugged, they decided to invite original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss to join them for some songs. Singer and Kulick saw the writing on the wall at that point and figured Kiss was going to do a full on reunion, make-up, costumes and all. They were right. In 1996, the original Kiss line-up went on a reunion tour that was hugely successful. One of the highest grossing tours in history! What should have been a great time for the band, turned out to be a bummer. It was said that the original line-up was going to record a new album but in reality, Ace and Peter had barely anything to do with the album. This sucked for fans who really wanted a full band collaboration on a new album. Again, cracks were appearing in the armor. Ace was getting into bad habits again with substances, Peter was being confrontational and Paul and Gene were being control freaks. Though the band was coming apart, Kiss did put together a successful "Psycho Circus" tour and what would be their first of many "Farewell Tours". Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons did not intend for Kiss to retire after the "Farewell Tour". With Ace and Peter out of the band again, Kiss continued on with Eric Singer and this time Tommy Thayer on lead guitar. In a controversial move, Kiss put Eric and Tommy in Peter's "cat" make-up and Ace's "Spaceman" persona. There was a lot of fighting amongst the former and current bandmembers as well as the fans about that decision. For the most part, Kiss would be mostly a touring band at this point though they did release 2 albums with their current line-up, 2009's "Sonic Boom" and 2012's "Monster". "Monster" would be the last studio album that the band has released. In 2019, Kiss embarked on what would be a 4 year "End Of The Road" tour which wrapped up in New York City in 2023. Of course, Kiss being Kiss, just when you thought they had retired, they did a residency in Las Vegas which was kind of an off chute of their Kiss Kruises. It seems the band will do these residencies in the future from time to time and there was also some rumors or hints of possibly working on new songs as well. We'll see. Tragedy struck the band in 2025 as original member Ace Frehley passed away due to complications from a fall at his home. Kiss was my favorite band growing up. I still love the band and always will. There's no doubt, 1970's Kiss is their wheelhouse. The image, the songs, the fire, the explosions! Kiss was most definitely one of a kind. The voice of Paul Stanley, the imagery of Gene Simmons, the cool swagger of Ace Frehley and the aggression of Peter Criss led Kiss to be one of most legendary, influential and iconic bands of all time. I was born in 1974 so when the band went on a reunion tour in 1996, my dreams came true! I got to see the original lineup multiple times during the Reunion, Psycho Circus and Farewll tours. Those are some of the highlights in my life, seeing the original line-up, cranking on all cylinders. Being that Ace was always my favorite member in the band, it was a gutpunch when he tragically passed away. Despite some of the things said about him, Ace proved to be the most active member since the year 2000 when it came to working on and releasing new material. It sucks that the original four now can never get back together again even though there really wasn't a chance it would happen anyway.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Van Halen

AC/DC

Def Leppard

Aerosmith

Ozzy Osbourne

TEN KISS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Deuce (Alive version)

2. Detroit Rock City

3. Black Diamond (Alive version)

4. Parasite (Alive version)

5. King Of The Night Time World