Tears Are Falling

The song Tears Are Falling by KISS from their 1985 album Asylum holds a special place in the band’s history, packed with stories that the Zoo Freaks are sure to dig. This track, written and sung solely by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley, is a rarity among KISS’s 1980s catalog, as Stanley crafted it entirely on his own, a feat he wouldn’t repeat until his 2006 solo album Live to Win. The song’s creation was a burst of inspiration for Stanley, who channeled a pop-infused, melodic vibe that Cash Box magazine praised for its “distinctive chorus hook and pop arrangement.” The music video, shot in London in September 1985 under director David Mallet, became a fan favorite despite its low-budget production. It featured wild visuals like Bruce Kulick shredding his guitar solo under a running shower, which he jokingly likened to a “hair commercial for shampoo.” The video’s quirky charm led to heavy rotation on MTV’s Dial MTV, where fans called in to keep it on air for months until a rule change limited requests to newer videos.

Another tidbit comes from guitarist Bruce Kulick, who shared on X in 2020 that the song’s debut on MTV 35 years ago was a pivotal moment for the Asylum era. Kulick, in a 2020 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, recalled the excitement of filming the video with its “volcano and wild clothes,” noting how it helped introduce him as KISS’s new lead guitarist after quietly joining during the Animalize tour. He also revealed on X in 2024 that Stanley assisted creatively with the song’s iconic guitar solo, adding harmony notes that became a fan favorite. Fans on Reddit have praised the song’s live performances, with one noting the “crisp metal riffing” and “big melodic choruses” that make it a glam metal gem, though some older fans found the era’s flashy style a departure from KISS’s ’70s roots.

KISS’s journey began in 1973 in New York City, born from the ashes of the band Wicked Lester, where Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley first teamed up. Frustrated with Wicked Lester’s lack of edge, they recruited drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley to form KISS, aiming for a raw, theatrical rock sound paired with outrageous makeup and costumes. Their self-titled debut in 1974 didn’t initially chart well, but their explosive live shows, captured on 1975’s Alive!, turned them into superstars, earning platinum status and spawning hits like Rock and Roll All Nite. The band’s larger-than-life personas—Stanley as the Starchild, Simmons as the Demon, Frehley as the Spaceman, and Criss as the Catman—set them apart, blending hard rock with a circus-like spectacle that captivated fans. Despite lineup changes, including Criss and Frehley’s departures in the early ’80s, KISS adapted, embracing glam metal with albums like Asylum while maintaining their core ethos of high-energy performances.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, KISS’s official website, KISS Online, offers tour dates, merch, and news. You can follow the band on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback posts. Fan communities are thriving, with sites like KISS Asylum providing news, archives, and forums for diehards. KISS FAQ is another great spot for trivia and song stories, while KISSMONSTER offers detailed discographies. On Facebook, groups like the KISS Army connect fans worldwide, sharing memories and rare photos. These hubs are perfect for Zoo Crew listeners to keep the KISS spirit alive.