Studio Album · No. 4
Destroyer Songwriting Credits by Kiss
Produced by Bob Ezrin · Engineered by Jay Messina, Corky Stasiak
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Kiss carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Destroyer marks the point where Kiss opened its writing room to an outside force: producer Bob Ezrin co-wrote most of the album and helped shape it, his name sitting beside the band's on song after song. The founders still anchor the lyrics, but Ezrin's presence, along with Kim Fowley on two tracks and Stan Penridge on 'Beth,' makes this the band's most collaborative early record by far.
Destroyer is the fourth studio album by Kiss, released in March 1976 and the band's most ambitious record to that point. Following the commercial breakthrough of the live album Alive!, the band hired producer Bob Ezrin, who pushed Kiss toward a bigger, more elaborate sound with orchestration, choirs, and sound effects. Ezrin co-wrote much of the album and reshaped the band's songwriting, helping produce 'Detroit Rock City,' 'Shout It Out Loud,' 'God of Thunder,' and the Peter Criss ballad 'Beth,' which became a surprise hit single. A platinum success, Destroyer is widely regarded as one of the band's defining studio albums.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Detroit Rock City
#7
|
Paul StanleyBob Ezrin | Stanley Bert EisenBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
King of the Night Time World
|
Paul StanleyKim FowleyMark AnthonyBob Ezrin | Stanley Bert EisenKim FowleyMark AnthonyBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
God of Thunder
|
Paul Stanley | Stanley Bert Eisen | Bob Ezrin | Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Great Expectations
|
Gene SimmonsBob Ezrin | Chaim WitzBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Flaming Youth
|
Ace FrehleyPaul StanleyGene SimmonsBob Ezrin | Paul Daniel FrehleyStanley Bert EisenChaim WitzBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Sweet Pain
|
Gene Simmons | Chaim Witz | Bob Ezrin | Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Shout It Out Loud
|
Paul StanleyGene SimmonsBob Ezrin | Stanley Bert EisenChaim WitzBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals)Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Beth
#7
|
Peter CrissStan PenridgeBob Ezrin | George Peter John CriscuolaStan PenridgeBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Peter Criss (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Do You Love Me
|
Paul StanleyKim FowleyBob Ezrin | Stanley Bert EisenKim FowleyBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Rock and Roll Party
|
Gene SimmonsPaul StanleyBob Ezrin | Chaim WitzStanley Bert EisenBob Ezrin | Bob Ezrin | Kiss (Instrumental) |