In an era that defined the golden age of pop music, “Then He Kissed Me” stands out not just as a song but a timeless phenomenon, capturing hearts across continents with its unforgettable melody and poignant story. Written by the legendary trio Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry, this track, performed by The Crystals, exploded onto the scene in July 1963, climbing its way to an astonishing No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 by September 8, 1963.
What truly sets this classic apart is the meticulously crafted “Wall of Sound” production technique pioneered by Phil Spector himself. The dense, orchestral arrangement with the intensive collaboration of Jack Nitzsche and The Wrecking Crew—including drum legend Hal Blaine and guitar maestro Tommy Tedesco—created a sonic experience that enthralled listeners, making the track instantly memorable. The recording session was layered, painstakingly perfected with doubled instruments to achieve the overwhelming impact that defined the record.
The seductive charm of the song is only amplified by the hauntingly beautiful vocals of 15-year-old Dolores “LaLa” Brooks, the lone member of The Crystals on the track. Flown from New York to Los Angeles by Spector, Brooks’ emotionally compelling voice was coaxed out under unique circumstances—Spector dimmed the studio lights and encouraged her to reflect on a personal moment of intimacy, telling her to “think of somebody kissing you.” Brooks recounted this in an interview, a testament to the raw vulnerability that translates through the music.
The narrative told in the song is a sweet and relatable journey of young love—from a simple dance to a proposal, all culminating in that signature moment, the kiss. Its impact was not only felt in the US where it spent 12 weeks on the charts but also internationally, scaling to No. 2 in the UK, No. 3 in Ireland, and No. 8 in Belgium.
Yet there’s more drama behind the scenes. The B-side, intriguingly titled “Brother Julius”, is an instrumental inspired by a modest burger cart near the famed Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, the very place the magic was captured in April 1963. It wasn’t just a recording session; it was an immersive experience of sounds and stories from an iconic location.
The Crystals themselves were a vibrant group from Brooklyn, comprising Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, Dee Dee Kenniebrew, Myrna Girard, and Patsy Wright. By the time this song hit the airwaves, Spector’s attention was drifting towards another group, The Ronettes, making “Then He Kissed Me” bittersweet—it was The Crystals’ last top 40 hit despite marking their third US Top 10.
The song’s influence reverberated beyond its original release. The Beach Boys’ 1965 cover—retitled “Then I Kissed Her”—shifted the perspective to the male voice and soared to No. 4 in the UK, with Brian Wilson at the production helm. Diverse artists like Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Gary Glitter, and even St. Vincent have offered their takes, each adding new layers of meaning and emotion.
Beyond the records, “Then He Kissed Me” found new life on the big screen, unforgettable in films like Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Goodfellas (1990) during the iconic Copacabana scene, and the heartfelt To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020). Critics hailed it as a “captivating, quick-moving romantic” with a “sensational” arrangement, a truly multigenerational treasure.
As Cash Box’s review concludes, this masterpiece combines innovative production techniques, powerful storytelling, and evocative vocals to create a song that not only defined a moment in music history but continues to mesmerize listeners of all ages.
The unforgettable words echo still:
“He kissed me in a way that I’ve never been kissed before… I wanna be kissed forever more.”