Introduction
“Kiss Me Quick” is a breezy, upbeat pop-rock tune recorded by Elvis Presley on June 25, 1961, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee . Written by the accomplished songwriting duo Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman—who had already given Elvis hits like “Surrender” and “His Latest Flame”—the track first appeared on Elvis’s album Pot Luck released May 18, 1962 . It perfectly encapsulates the era’s youthful fervor, with Presley delivering playful, flirtatious lyrics over a lively arrangement.
Though it began as an album track, “Kiss Me Quick” evolved into a vibrant single release: first in the UK in late 1962 backed with “Something Blue,” then across Europe in December, and finally reaching the U.S. in April 1964, paired with “Suspicion”. Its reception varied by region—while it became a number-one hit in several European charts during summer 1963, peaking at #14 in the UK and charting at #3 in Germany and Canada, in the States it reached a respectable #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 .
Musically, the song blends Elvis’s characteristic rock-and-roll swagger with pop sensibility and subtle Latin rhythms—complete with horns, rhythm guitar, and backing vocals by The Jordanaires—showcasing his smooth yet vibrant vocal delivery . Thematically, it’s a playful plea for a spontaneous kiss: “Kiss me quick, while we still have this feeling… tomorrow’s can be so uncertain,” echoing the era’s romantic optimism .
However, not all were enamored: in December 1963, The Beatles appeared on BBC’s Juke Box Jury and critiqued the song. Paul McCartney remarked that it “sounds like Blackpool on a sunny day,” while George Harrison candidly called it “a load of rubbish”—though they acknowledged Elvis’s enduring star power .
Despite the mixed critical reception, “Kiss Me Quick” endures as a charming snapshot of Elvis’s post-army era: playful, romantic, and irresistibly catchy. It remains a beloved classic in his catalog, featured on numerous compilations and cherished by fans who adore this lighter, joyful side of the King’s legacy.