The Crystals-Then He Kissed Me

About the song

“Then He Kissed Me” is a quintessential pop ballad that remains a standout track from the early 1960s, renowned for its lush production and engaging storytelling. Written by the prolific trio Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry, the song was produced by Spector and released by The Crystals on Philles Records in July 1963. The narrative encapsulates the romantic journey of a young woman from an innocent encounter to an engagement, beautifully capturing the excitement and joy of young love.

Recorded at the famed Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles in April 1963, the single features Dolores “LaLa” Brooks on lead vocals, with an arrangement by Jack Nitzsche that perfectly exemplifies Spector’s iconic “Wall of Sound” production style. This rich and full-bodied sound is further enhanced by the contributions of The Wrecking Crew, a group of session musicians renowned for their work on numerous classic tracks of the era, and engineered by Larry Levine. The track’s vibrant, cinematic quality has contributed to its lasting popularity and critical acclaim.

The Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” achieved notable chart success, peaking at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number 2 in the United Kingdom. The song also performed well in Ireland, climbing to number 3. This marked it as one of The Crystals’ most memorable hits, further establishing their prominence in the girl group genre.

Critics have consistently praised the song’s captivating arrangement and emotional resonance. Cash Box described it as a “captivating, quick-moving, full-sounding romantic” track with a “sensational arrangement” by Jack Nitzsche. Its impact on music history is further underscored by its inclusion on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004, where it ranked at number 493, and Pitchfork’s recognition as number 18 on its list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s.” Additionally, Billboard placed it at number 8 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

“Then He Kissed Me” has also made its mark in popular culture, appearing in the soundtrack of the 1987 film *Adventures in Babysitting*, the 1990 classic *Goodfellas*, and the 2020 romantic comedy *To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You*. Its enduring appeal and evocative sound continue to captivate new audiences, securing its place as a timeless gem in the history of pop music.

Video

Lyrics

Well, he walked up to me and he asked me if I wanted to dance
He looked kinda nice and so I said I might take a chance
When he danced he held me tight
And when he walked me home that night
All the stars were shining bright
And then he kissed me

Each time I saw him I couldn’t wait to see him again
I wanted to let him know that he was more than a friend
I didn’t know just what to do
So I whispered “I love you”
And he said that he loved me too
And then he kissed me

He kissed me in a way that I’ve never been kissed before
He kissed me in a way that I wanna be kissed forever more

I knew that he was mine so I gave him all the love that I had
And one day he took me home to meet his mom and his dad
Then he asked me to be his bride
And always be right by his side
I felt so happy I almost cried
And then he kissed me

Then he asked me to be his bride
And always be right by his side
I felt so happy I almost cried
And then he kissed me
And then he kissed me
And then he kissed me