# Strutter > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Strutter > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Strutter.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strutter > Source revision: 1318037017 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) This article is about the song by Kiss. For other uses, see [Strutter (disambiguation)](/source/Strutter_(disambiguation)). "**Strutter**" is a song by American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [Kiss](/source/Kiss_(band)), originally from their [self-titled debut album](/source/Kiss_(Kiss_album)), released in 1974. It was the third and final single released from the album, and failed to chart. Despite this, the song is a staple of the band's live concerts, and appears on many Kiss live and compilation albums. The song was featured in the video games *[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas](/source/Grand_Theft_Auto:_San_Andreas)* and *[Guitar Hero 2](/source/Guitar_Hero_2)*. ## Composition and lyrics "Strutter" is one of the few Kiss songs written by [Gene Simmons](/source/Gene_Simmons) and [Paul Stanley](/source/Paul_Stanley) together. Stanley wrote new lyrics to "Stanley the Parrot," a song whose music was composed by Simmons.[5] It combines a [Rolling Stones](/source/The_Rolling_Stones)-styled groove with a [glam rock](/source/Glam_rock) style as it pairs syncopated, ascending verse melodies with a two-note chorus that ends in a shout of the song's title.[3] The lyrics, based on the well-dressed vixens the band saw in the streets of New York, show a [Bob Dylan](/source/Bob_Dylan) influence.[6] ## Critical reception "Strutter" is widely considered one of Kiss's best songs. *[Cash Box](/source/Cash_Box)* said that "this may be their most dynamic [rock 'n' roll song] to date" and has "lots of bass and guitar, along with those power driven vocals here, all making for a great single release."[7] *[Record World](/source/Record_World)* called it "pleasurably pompous rock in the best style and tradition of hard, boogie-gaited music."[8] In 2014, *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))* ranked the song number two on their list of the 20 greatest Kiss songs,[9] and in 2019, *[Louder Sound](/source/Metal_Hammer)* ranked the song number five on their list of the 40 greatest Kiss songs.[10] ## Appearances "Strutter" has appeared on the following Kiss albums: - *[Kiss](/source/Kiss_(Kiss_album))* – studio version - *[Alive!](/source/Alive!_(Kiss_album))* – live version - *[The Originals](/source/The_Originals_(Kiss_album))* – studio version - *[Smashes, Thrashes & Hits](/source/Smashes,_Thrashes_%26_Hits)* – remixed & edited studio version - *[Greatest Kiss](/source/Greatest_Kiss)* – studio version - *[The Box Set](/source/The_Box_Set_(Kiss))* – demo version - *[The Very Best of Kiss](/source/The_Very_Best_of_Kiss)* – studio version - *[Kiss Symphony: Alive IV](/source/Kiss_Symphony:_Alive_IV)* – live version - *[The Best of Kiss: The Millennium Collection](/source/The_Best_of_Kiss:_The_Millennium_Collection)* – studio version - *[Gold](/source/Gold_(Kiss_album))* – studio version - *[Kiss Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums](/source/Kiss_Chronicles:_3_Classic_Albums)* – studio version - *[Kiss Alive! 1975–2000](/source/Kiss_Alive!_1975%E2%80%932000)* – *Alive!* version - *[Kiss Alive 35](/source/Kiss_Alive_35)* – live version - *[Ikons](/source/Ikons)* – studio version ## Personnel - [Paul Stanley](/source/Paul_Stanley) – lead vocals, rhythm guitar - [Gene Simmons](/source/Gene_Simmons) – bass, backing vocals - [Peter Criss](/source/Peter_Criss) – drums, backing vocals - [Ace Frehley](/source/Ace_Frehley) – lead guitar ## Strutter '78 "Strutter '78", a re-recording of the song, was released in 1978 as the only single from the compilation album [*Double Platinum*](/source/Double_Platinum_(Kiss_album)). A softer and more danceable take on the song, fans credit it for starting the band's "disco era". More successful than the original song, it reached No. 89 on the Australian [Kent Music Report](/source/Kent_Music_Report) charts, but was only rereleased in 2014, on the greatest hits album *[Kiss 40](/source/Kiss_40)*. ### Composition "Strutter '78" is the first of four [disco](/source/Disco) flirtations by Kiss, the others being "[I Was Made for Lovin' You](/source/I_Was_Made_for_Lovin'_You)", "[Sure Know Something](/source/Sure_Know_Something)" and "Dirty Livin'". [Casablanca Records](/source/Casablanca_Records) executive [Neil Bogart](/source/Neil_Bogart), who was having success with [Donna Summer](/source/Donna_Summer), the [Village People](/source/Village_People) and other disco acts, wanted a softer and more danceable take on the song. On top of adding a subtle but noticeable disco beat, there's an additional guitar solo.[11] ### Release Like its predecessor, "Strutter '78" also failed to chart in the US, though *Double Platinum,* which featured remixed versions of eight other songs, reached No. 22 on the [*Billboard* 200](/source/Billboard_200) and was certified platinum. The single version is faster and shorter than its album counterpart with an altered guitar solo and a more prominent hi-hat (cymbal) sound throughout. ### Critical reception "Strutter '78" was seen as unnecessary by critics, and accused by fans for ushering in the band's "disco era." [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) critic [Stephen Thomas Erlewine](/source/Stephen_Thomas_Erlewine) labeled the song a "pointless remake which was recorded only to entice collectors into buying an album of music they already owned."[12] [Gene Simmons](/source/Gene_Simmons), on the topic of the re-recording in *[Guitar World](/source/Guitar_World)'*s September 1996 issue, remarks "I look back at that and think, 'why?'", adding he feels "the original version is the classic and the best."[13] ### Appearances "Strutter '78" has appeared on the following Kiss albums: - *[Double Platinum](/source/Double_Platinum_(Kiss_album))* – re-recorded version - *[Kiss 40](/source/Kiss_40)* – re-recorded version ### Personnel - [Paul Stanley](/source/Paul_Stanley) – vocals, rhythm guitar - [Gene Simmons](/source/Gene_Simmons) – bass, backing vocals - [Peter Criss](/source/Peter_Criss) – drums, backing vocals - [Ace Frehley](/source/Ace_Frehley) – lead guitar ### Charts Chart (1978) Peak position Australian Singles (Kent Music Report)[14] 89 ## Covers - [Extreme](/source/Extreme_(band)) covered the song on the *[Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved](/source/Kiss_My_Ass:_Classic_Kiss_Regrooved)* album (1994) - [The Donnas](/source/The_Donnas) covered the song for the *[Detroit Rock City](/source/Detroit_Rock_City_(film))* soundtrack (1999) - [Vitamin String Quartet](/source/Vitamin_String_Quartet) covered the song for the *String Quartet Tribute to Kiss* album (2004) - [Electric Six](/source/Electric_Six) covered the song in their covers album, *Streets of Gold* (2021) ## References 1. ["KISS - Strutter - Reviews - Album of the Year"](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/435025-kiss-strutter.php). *Album of the Year*. Retrieved August 10, 2024. 1. Philo, Simon (2018). [*Glam Rock: Music in Sound and Vision*](https://books.google.com/books?id=JFdnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA130). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 130. ISBN 978-1-44227-148-7. 1. Donald A. Guarisco. ["Strutter Review"](https://www.allmusic.com/song/strutter-mt0001548678). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved August 17, 2019. 1. Kavka, Daniel (August 2010). *Young Americans to Emotional Rescue: Selecting Meetings Between Disco and Rock, 1975-1980*. [Bowling Green State University](/source/Bowling_Green_State_University). p. 3. 1. Stanley, Paul. *[The Kiss Box Set](/source/The_Box_Set_(Kiss))* liner notes, The Island Def Jam Music Group, 2001. ISBN 0-446-53073-5 1. Leaf, David and Ken Sharp. *KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography*, Warner Books, 2003. ISBN 0-446-53073-5 1. ["CashBox Record Reviews"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-07-13.pdf). *Cash Box*. July 13, 1974. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-11. 1. ["Hits of the Week"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-07-13.pdf). *Record World*. July 13, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-15. 1. Lore, Mark (June 26, 2014). ["The 20 Best KISS Songs"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-20-best-kiss-songs/#2-strutter). *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 5, 2022. 1. ["The 40 best Kiss songs of all time"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-40-greatest-kiss-songs-as-voted-for-by-you/4). *[Louder Sound](/source/Metal_Hammer)*. July 15, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2022. 1. Graff, Gary (April 2, 2023). ["45 Years Ago: Kiss' Disco Flirtation Begins With 'Strutter '78'"](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-strutter-78/). *[Ultimate Classic Rock](/source/Ultimate_Classic_Rock)*. Retrieved May 4, 2025. 1. [Stephen Thomas Erlewine](/source/Stephen_Thomas_Erlewine). ["Double Platinum Review"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/double-platinum-mw0000194488). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved May 7, 2025. 1. *[Guitar World](/source/Guitar_World)*, September 1996 1. Kent, David (1993). *Australian Chart Book 1970–1992*. illustrated ed. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Strutter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strutter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strutter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.