"Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" is a song written by Harry Noble and originally performed by Karen Chandler in 1952. It has been re-recorded several times since then, the most notable covers being by Mel Carter in 1965 and Gloria Estefan in 1994.
Karen Chandler version
The original version was released by Karen Chandler in 1952, released by Coral Records.[1] It first appeared on the US Billboard charts on October 25, 1952[2] and last appeared on April 11, 1953,[3] peaking at number five on Billboard's chart of "Most Played by Jockeys",[4] number seven on Billboard's chart of "Best Selling Singles",[5] and number nine on Billboard's chart of "Most Played in Juke Boxes".[6][7]
The version most often associated with the song was recorded by Mel Carter, released in 1965 on Imperial.[8] Carter's version spent 15 weeks on the BillboardHot 100, peaking at number eight,[9] while reaching number one on Billboard's Easy Listening chart,[10][11] number two on Canada's "RPM Play Sheet",[12] and number four on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade.[13]
In 1994, American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan released a cover of "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me." It was released as the second single (only in Europe and Australia) from her fourth solo album, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. The single also included a new song, "If We Were Lovers" which is the English version of her 1993 hit "Con Los Años Que Me Quedan". "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" peaked at number-one in Spain. Additionally the single also peaked at number 11 in the United Kingdom and number 13 in Scotland.
Critical reception
Maryann Scheufele from AXS wrote, "You can not help but move with this slow moving song. She uses every bit of her breath as she sings and she never hesitates to carry a note to completion. Music just dances around Gloria Estefan when she stays in one place to sing."[16]Billboard noted the "thrilling sounds" of the song, adding it as a "elegant" track.[17] Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues said, "The song is cheesy but Gloria seems aware of this and goes for broke by upping the drama."[18]
In 1977, Bobby Vinton released a version of the song on the album The Name Is Love and as a single. Vinton's version reached No. 43 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.[27]
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me was performed by She and Him and is featured on their fourth album Volume 3, in 2013.
Nelson Riddle instrumental orchestral version from the 1961 album "Love Tide".
