Passionate Kisses

"Passionate Kisses" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. It was released in 1989 as the fourth single from her third album, Lucinda Williams (1988).

The song was famously covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter for her 1992 album Come On Come On, and released as the album's third single.

Critical reception
Hailed as the definitive version, Williams's original take has received widespread critical acclaim. Robin Denselow, writing in The Guardian, called the song a "rousing country rocker." Country music website The Boot ranked "Passionate Kisses" No. 1 on their list of the best Lucinda Williams songs, describing it as "a modern-day feminist anthem about having it all — a comfortable bed, food, a rock band and passionate kisses."

In 2021, "Passionate Kisses" ranked No. 437 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The same outlet ranked the song at No. 100 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time in 2024.

Music video
Williams filmed and released a music video for the track in August 1989. It would be the last time Williams starred in one of her own music videos until "Rock n Roll Heart" in 2023.

Track listing

 * CD single
 * "Passionate Kisses" – 2:35
 * "Nothing In Rambling" – 4:45
 * "Disgusted" – 3:09
 * "Goin' Back Home" – 3:22
 * "Side Of The Road" – 3:27

Mary Chapin Carpenter version
Released in January 1993, "Passionate Kisses" was the third single from Carpenter's fourth album Come On Come On. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1993, and No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. Carpenter's version adheres closely in tempo, feel, and instrumentation to Williams' original recording, similarly relying on the catchy guitar riff to anchor the record.

The recording enhanced Carpenter's crossover appeal and earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1994, in addition to securing the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for Williams. Carpenter filmed a music video for the track in Washington, D.C. and it premiered in early 1993.

Track listing

 * CD single
 * "Passionate Kisses" – 3:23
 * "Downtown Train" – 4:11
 * "The Bug" – 3:48
 * "Quittin' Time" – 3:52