Introduction:
“Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals is a quintessential example of the girl group sound that dominated the early to mid-1960s. The song was released as a single in July 1963, on Phil Spector’s Philles Records label. While it wasn’t originally part of a studio album specific to The Crystals at the time of its release, it later appeared on various compilation albums, such as Philles Records Presents Today’s Hits (1963) and subsequent greatest hits collections. The song’s genre is firmly rooted in pop and rhythm and blues, characterized by its lush production, infectious melody, and a narrative of young love and innocent romance.
The song was a significant commercial success and is widely regarded as one of The Crystals’ most iconic hits. “Then He Kissed Me” peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieved even greater international success, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted well in other countries, including Australia (number 9), Ireland (number 3), New Zealand (number 5), and Norway (number 8). The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its masterful production by Phil Spector, who employed his famous “Wall of Sound” technique to create a rich, layered sonic tapestry. Lead vocalist Dolores “LaLa” Brooks’s innocent yet powerful delivery perfectly encapsulated the song’s heartfelt lyrics, which tell a simple, relatable story of a girl’s first magical kiss. “Then He Kissed Me” has been recognized for its cultural impact, being listed among Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and Billboard’s “100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.” Its timeless appeal has led to numerous cover versions by other artists and its inclusion in popular films like Goodfellas and Adventures in Babysitting, solidifying its place as a classic of the girl group era.
