The definitive Kiss playlist

From 1982's Creatures of the Night, "I Love It Loud" was the last Kiss single released during the band's time on the Casablanca label. Gene Simmons co-wrote the song with Vinnie Vincent, who replaced Ace Frehley on guitar but was not included on the original cover of the album. The track has been a staple of Kiss live shows and prominently features Eric Carr's drum work.

In 1987, with the lineup of Simmons, Stanley, Carr, and Bruce Kulick without makeup, Kiss could be easily confused with the musical stylings of Poison or Ratt. The band's changing pop-metal, MTV-friendly sound made for many a defection within the ranks of the "Kiss Army." However, "Crazy Crazy Nights" was an unabashed celebration of what was going on during the hard rock/hair metal scene of the day.

One of the better offerings from the post-makeup, hair metal days of the band. From 1992's Revenge record, the track is one of the better power ballads in the waning days of the pop-metal era. Perhaps the best version of the song came during the band's appearance on the MTV Unplugged series in 1995. It just sounds better in an intimate, acoustic setting, which proved Kiss could still pack a punch in that environment.

The first of back-to-back tracks from Kiss' second album Hotter Than Hell (1974) that we'll showcase. "Parasite" is one of the harder, heavier rocking sounds in Kiss' vast catalog, maybe because guitarist Ace Frehley wrote it. 

Paul Stanley wrote the title track of Kiss' second album, and it was reportedly his ode to the Free classic "All Right Now." Which, upon first listen by classic rock fans, is quite apparent. It's bluesy, dirty, and undisputedly rock and roll. The live version from the stellar 1975 Alive! album is one of the project's highlights.  

The year was 1979, and Dynasty was Kiss' first album in two years (though the individual records from the four original members came out in September 1978). Disco was the rage in the United States, and Casablanca Records had now become the home for some of the genre's biggest stars. So, Kiss went ahead and recorded this tune with a disco vibe (co-written by go-to hitmaker Desmond Child). The song reached No. 11 on Billboard's Hot 100 and became enough of a mainstream smash that it introduced a new generation of fans to the band.

The "Demon" himself, Gene Simmons wrote the song and sang lead on one of Kiss' bigger chart hits. "Calling Dr. Love" was the fourth Kiss single to crack the top 20 of Billboard's Hot 100 — making it to No. 16. The song's album home, 1976's Rock and Roll Over, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200.

The first song we'll highlight from 1976's Destroyer is the first Kiss record to achieve platinum status. "Do You Love Me" would actually be considered a deep cut of an album that, thanks to the work of acclaimed producer Bob Ezrin, nearly missed cracking the top 10 on the U.S. Pop Albums chart. "Do You Love Me" questions the true feelings of a groupie. It was co-written by Ezrin, Paul Stanley, and former Runaways manager Kim Fowley.

From the band's sixth studio album by the same name. It was actually the first Kiss album to crack the top 5 on the Billboard 200. "Love Gun" was arguably the record's highlight and reportedly one of Paul Stanley's favorite songs to play. Many Kiss fans feel the same way, as it's long been considered one of the group's most popular tracks and a concert staple.

We're going back to Kiss' 1974 self-titled debut for this classic. The original studio version is a bluesy number and more than serviceable. However, to truly appreciate the overall power of "Firehouse" is to absorb the live offering from the Alive! album. The song has long been a highlight of Kiss' highly entertaining live sets, especially when Gene Simmons breathes fire or spits blood during the track.

Kiss' most commercially successful single is a ballad sung by drummer Peter Criss in August 1976. Later that year, the band looked to duplicate that success with another ballad, for which Criss also sang lead. "Hard Luck Women," off the Rock and Roll Over LP and released in November '76, wasn't a smash, but it reached No. 15 on the Hot 100. It remains a popular track in the Kiss arsenal. 

A strong inclusion on the Love Gun album, "Plaster Caster" is a typical celebratory and somewhat raunchy Kiss tune. The sexually charged track was reportedly inspired by famed rock groupie and artist Cynthia "Plaster Caster" Albritton, who created plastered molds of famous parts of the male anatomy. 

The Lick It Up album was monumental for the band. It was not only their first on Mercury Records but the first without the band's trademark makeup (revealed on MTV before the album's release in September 1983). When the makeup came off, the musical fluff began for the band. However, the title track, penned by Paul Stanley and then-guitarist Vinnie Vincent, is arguably the best tune from Kiss post-makeup.

Another standout live version from the Alive! record. "Cold Gin," off the band's debut, has not only been a long-time Kiss live staple, but it might be one of the great drinking songs in music history. When listening to Kiss or rock and roll in general, for that matter, any alcoholic beverage should suffice. It also features another stellar guitar solo from Ace Frehley.

An underrated cut from the band's debut album. While Gene Simmons' bass work is notable, especially the introduction, "100,000 Years" might arguably deliver some of the best drumming Peter Criss had to offer with the band. To no surprise, the Alive! version of "100,000 Years" packs more of a punch than the serviceable studio take. A song that truly captures the talent of each member.

Found on 1975's Dressed to Kill, "C'mon and Love Me" was released as a single off the album, but it never charted. However, it was a song, like many others within the Kiss catalog, that earned popularity for its inclusion during the band's high-energy live sets and as part of the Alive! record. That said, the studio version can more than hold its own with any live take.

There are times when it doesn't feel right to include cover songs done by legendary bands who have extensive catalogs, like Kiss. However, the band's version of this 1967 Rolling Stones deep cut is actually more entertaining than the original. The Kiss version is all Ace Frehley, pure guitar-driven rock and roll. At a time when his place in the group was becoming less secure, Frehley's overall performance on "2,000 Man" might be the overall highlight of the Dynasty album. 

Originally titled "Beck," Peter Criss wrote one of the most popular power ballads of all time with buddy Stan Penridge when the two were members of the band Chelsea in the early 1970s. When Criss brought the song to Bob Ezrin during the Destroyer sessions, the song was reworked, and the title changed. The result was a memorable tune that reached No. 7 on Billboard's Hot 100, earned gold status, and even won a People's Choice Award. It was also included in the deliciously awful Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park film from 1979.

Another classic on Kiss' debut album. An acoustic opening with Paul Stanley on vocals gives way to a faster tempo with drummer Peter Criss taking on the lead singer chores. Criss' raspy voice is perfect for this bluesy number that's also one of the true highlights of the Alive! album. It usually concludes with an extended version of Criss' drum solo when played live.

"Nothin' to Lose" was the first song Kiss released as a single from the band's debut album. Gene Simmons received the only writing credit as yet another sex-themed track from the blood-spewing, fire-breathing demon. Like most early Kiss singles, "Nothin' to Lose" was not a commercial hit but a regular part of the group's live shows. The Alive! version is stellar.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were poised to produce a signature, unforgettable song. They did that with one of the most recognizable songs in rock history. Though the tune never cracked the top 50 in the Hot 100 when released off Dressed to Kill in 1975, the version from Alive! reached No. 12. It's an undisputed rock anthem that is still a classic rock staple and played regularly in sports arenas and stadiums. 

The lead single from Destroyer, "Shout It Out Loud" reached No. 31 on the Hot 100. "Shout It Out Loud" has enjoyed a legendary shelf life. Not quite the rock anthem of "Rock and Roll All Nite" but strong and popular enough to be one of the most played Kiss songs live. It's synonymous with the party atmosphere of Kiss shows. 

"You wanted the best! And you got it! The hottest band in the land...KISS!" Those famous words kick off the Alive! album, followed by what would become the preferred opener to Kiss live sets for years. Gene Simmons has often stated that he had no idea what he was writing about, yet "Deuce" has been a huge part of the band's legacy despite never enjoying any commercial success. The upbeat, full-throttle live version rightfully overshadows the studio cut from Kiss' 1974 debut.

Like "Deuce," the Alive! version of "Strutter" is superior to the one found on Kiss' debut album. The latter is not bad, but "Strutter" is one of those great rock songs meant to be absorbed in a high-energy concert setting. Ace Frehley's blistering guitar work, the swagger in Paul Stanley's vocals, and the raucous crowd make for a great listening experience.

If there was a breakthrough rock moment within the history of Kiss, "Detroit Rock City," from Destroyer, might be it. It's perhaps the group's most detailed track. The conceptual tune brilliantly showcases the guitar work of both Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley, Peter Criss' solid drumming, and the underappreciated bass playing of Gene Simmons. A true hard-rock classic, "Detroit Rock City" is Kiss' most complete record from a technical standpoint and inspired a major motion picture.