Give Him A Great Big Kiss: A Teen’s Plea for Affection and Assurance
A Teenage Anthem of Unfiltered Passion 💋
In the mid-1960s, a remarkable sound emerged from New York, a sound that captured the raw, unfiltered emotional turmoil of teenage life with a theatrical flair that was both captivating and controversial. At the heart of this sound were The Shangri-Las, a quartet of working-class girls from Queens whose harmonies and spoken-word narratives defined an era of teenage angst and rebellion. Their 1964 hit, “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” stands as a testament to their unique style and enduring legacy. Released as a single on the Red Bird Records label, the song became an instant sensation, peaking at an impressive No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. For many, it was more than just a song; it was a rallying cry, a bold statement of a young woman’s desire for love and validation, delivered with a confident swagger that defied the conventions of the time.
The genius of “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” lies in its unpolished authenticity. The song doesn’t shy away from the complexities of young love, portraying it with a conversational, almost gossipy tone that feels incredibly intimate. The track opens with a spoken-word intro by lead singer Mary Weiss, who, with a mixture of innocence and world-weariness, asks her friend a series of probing questions about her new beau. “Is he good-lookin’?” “Is he tall?” “Does he have a lot of money?” The questions, delivered with a knowing smirk, set the stage for a narrative that feels like a private conversation overheard at a high school dance. This conversational style was a hallmark of The Shangri-Las’ work, distinguishing them from their more polished contemporaries and cementing their reputation as the “bad girls” of pop music.
As the song progresses, the spoken intro gives way to a vibrant, soaring melody, driven by a powerful chorus that is both catchy and emotionally charged. The title itself, “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” is a simple yet profound plea for a gesture of affection. It’s a request that transcends the physical act, becoming a symbol of a young woman’s need for assurance and emotional connection. The song’s meaning is deeply rooted in the universal experience of young love, capturing the excitement, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming desire to be chosen and cherished. The raw emotion in Mary Weiss’s voice, especially in her pleading delivery of the chorus, makes the song incredibly relatable, even decades later. It’s a feeling that resonates with anyone who has ever been swept up in the whirlwind of a new romance, a feeling of wanting to shout your love from the rooftops and be utterly consumed by it.
What makes “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” particularly memorable is its blend of innocence and rebellion. The lyrics, while seemingly straightforward, hint at a deeper, more defiant subtext. The spoken-word segment, with its casual banter and teasing questions, subverts the traditional boy-meets-girl narrative, placing the power and agency firmly in the hands of the young women. They’re not just waiting to be chosen; they’re actively assessing their suitors, and offering advice to their friends with a sense of authority and shared experience. This dynamic, a sisterhood bound by the trials and tribulations of teenage romance, was a powerful message that resonated with a generation of young girls who were beginning to find their voices. It’s a song that captures the bittersweet essence of growing up, the longing for love and the inevitable heartbreak that often accompanies it. For those who came of age in the 1960s, this song isn’t just a piece of music; it’s a time capsule, a powerful reminder of a time when everything felt bigger, more dramatic, and infinitely more important.