Destroyer Album - Do You Love Me

Paul’s attempt to write a song that told a story much akin to British bands such as Mott The Hoople did with songs like “All The Young Dudes” (Sharp, Ken – Goldmine). In telling a story Paul wanted the song to be something of an audio tapestry, though he would be inspired by the Contours song of the same title which had been a #3 hit in 1962 (though one must wonder whether Paul discovered the Dave Clark Five remake of the song from 1964). This song was the second track co-writer Kim Fowley contributed to providing much of the emphasis of the piece.

Kim had previously worked with two of the bands which inspired KISS: Slade and Alice Cooper. According to Bob Ezrin the song came together really quickly, bringing a theme element and vulnerability to the album. It also “truly established the sex star part of Paul Stanley. When he sang that song, girls melted” (KISS Online w/ Bob Ezrin). However, even with all of the polishing and embellishments, Rolling Stone was unimpressed, and handed the band their first brutal review: “Despite Ezrin’s superb production, Kiss still lacks that flash of creative madness that could have made their music interesting, or at least listenable” (Rolling Stone #214).