It's A Passion

I have been covering a Lucinda Williams song - “Passionate Kisses” - for the past year or so, and it has quickly become one of my favorite songs to perform. 

Fans of Mary Chapin Carpenter may recall that she also scored a hit single with this song 30 years ago. In fact, it was this version of “Passionate Kisses” that I became familiar with, and I only learned that it had been written and recorded by Lucinda Williams when I researched the song before publicly performing it myself.

I love both Ms. Williams and MCC’s versions. They are remarkably similar, both very energetic and fast-paced, and both liberally using an ear-wormy electric guitar riff in the interludes. Ms. Chapin Carpenter surprises us by starting out her version of “Passionate Kisses” with a quiet, slow piano solo which, interestingly, does not seem to echo any of the melodic passages of the rest of the song! A couple of hard hits on the drums then it starts to rocking’ and rollin’.

There are several points that make this a very strong piece:

The beat and rock vibe - in both versions - are ter-RIFF, IMO. I mean, why not? Ladies can rock out, too. But it’s not overdone - no screaming vocals, no destruction of on-stage amps. Nope. Just straight out fun rock.

And don’t overlook the strong melody. I like that the lines start out high in the scale and descend. Another hook-y way to dress up a melody.

The song form (only verses and chorus), the chord progression and arrangements (both songs) are all simple but solid, and they work to support the prosody of the song.

But I think (and I know you are dying to know what I think! 😜) that the best part of this song is the lyrics. My favorite part is the second verse:

Is it too much to demand?

I want a full house and a rock and roll band

Pens that won’t run out of ink

And cool quiet and time to think

OMG. Those last two lines pretty much summarize the holiday gift list for songwriters. Forgot the gift cards, just give me writing implements and some solitude!

When I got around to covering this song, I decided to take it in a different direction. I am faithful to the lyrics (of course), song form, and chord progression but I do a few things WAY differently. Mostly, I slow it down. Ballad style. Reflective. Nostalgic.

I also play it fingerstyle on my guitar so my instrument never gets in the way of the vocals that I try to deliver in a way that evokes loss, maybe a tinge of regret. A sign of a great song is that it can be adapted successfully to diverse performing styles.

Well, of course, I don’t have a recording of Patty M performing “Passionate Kisses”. Maybe someday, who knows? But please listen to this song performed by Lucinda Williams and by Mary Chapin Carpenter. And work up your own version of it, if you feel so inclined!