"Tears Are Falling" by Kiss

Song#:  2500
Date:  10/19/1985
Debut:  85
Peak:  51
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Hard Rock



Pop Bits:  The 80s didn't start out all that great for Kiss. They experienced a sales drop with their first three albums of the decade and they were going through a series of new lead guitarists after the departure of original member Ace Frehley. They rebounded with 1983's Lick It Up and 1984's Animalize with both LPs returning them to platinum status. Hoping to keep up the momentum, the band got back in the studio to record their next effort, Asylum. This track from the album was pushed out as the first single and it did well at Rock getting to #20. It was then able to cross over to the Pop chart where it just missed out on the Top 50. However, it would be the only single released from the album and with the shortened promotional window, the LP's sales lagged behind their previous two efforts. It was able to reach #20 and go gold, but it was another slight hiccup for the band who were now trying to navigate their way through the field of glam/hair metal bands of the day.

ReduxReview:  This is one of the band's most radio-ready commercial efforts they put out in the 80s. I liked it from the first listen and had thought this might finally get them their first Top 40 entry since 1979. Alas, it fell slightly short, but the dark rock tune is still a memorable highlight from this time in the band's career.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Following original lead guitarist Ace Frehley's departure, the band went through two replacements. Vinnie Vincent was first followed by Mark St. John. Unfortunately, after recording one album with them St. John developed arthritis and had to quit. With the position open once again, the band decided to bring on Bruce Kulick. Kulick had previously worked with the band ghosting some guitar work in the studio for Animalize. He got involved with Kiss mainly thanks to his brother Bob, who had been doing some side work for the band since the early 70s. Bruce Kulick became a permanent member of the band in time for the Asylum album. He remained with them for twelve years, which was the longest tenure of a non-original member. Kulick and St. John were also the only two members of Kiss to never have donned the band's famous make-up look. Both came along after the "unmasking" part of their career.

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