Hotter than Hell cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

Hotter than Hell Songwriting Credits by Kiss

1974 Casablanca 10 tracks 33 min

Produced by Kenny Kerner, Richie Wise  ·  Engineered by Warren Dewey

Casablanca Hard RockGlam Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Kiss carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Kiss 0 tracksoutside writers
Kiss's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
4
Lyricists
2
Producers
500,000
US Copies Sold
1974
Released
Data Insight

Hotter than Hell keeps the debut's authorship shape, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley writing the bulk of the album and Ace Frehley stepping up with 'Parasite' and 'Strange Ways.' Every song carries a band writing credit except where Simmons reached outside to early collaborator Stephen Coronel on 'Goin' Blind,' so the record reads almost entirely as in-house material.

Hotter than Hell is the second studio album by Kiss, released in October 1974, less than a year after the debut. Recorded in Los Angeles again with Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, it has a darker, murkier sound than its predecessor and sold poorly at the time, prompting the band to interrupt a tour and return to the studio. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley wrote most of the songs, and the album introduced lasting favorites in 'Got to Choose,' Ace Frehley's 'Parasite,' and 'Goin' Blind.' Though a commercial disappointment on release, it has since been reassessed as a key early Kiss record.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Got to Choose
Paul Stanley Stanley Bert Eisen Kenny KernerRichie Wise Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals)
2
Parasite
Ace Frehley Paul Daniel Frehley Kenny KernerRichie Wise Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals)
3
Goin' Blind
Gene SimmonsStephen Coronel Chaim WitzStephen Coronel Kenny KernerRichie Wise Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals)
4
Hotter than Hell
Paul Stanley Stanley Bert Eisen Kenny KernerRichie Wise Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals)
5
Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll
Gene SimmonsPaul Stanley Chaim WitzStanley Bert Eisen Kenny KernerRichie Wise Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals)
6
All the Way
Gene Simmons Chaim Witz Kenny KernerRichie Wise Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals)
7
Watchin' You
Gene Simmons Chaim Witz Kenny KernerRichie Wise Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals)
8
Mainline
Paul Stanley Stanley Bert Eisen Kenny KernerRichie Wise Peter Criss (Lead Vocals)
9
Comin' Home
Ace FrehleyPaul Stanley Paul Daniel FrehleyStanley Bert Eisen Kenny KernerRichie Wise Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals)
10
Strange Ways
Ace Frehley Paul Daniel Frehley Kenny KernerRichie Wise Peter Criss (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors

More from Kiss

Frequently Asked Questions Hotter than Hell

Who wrote Hotter than Hell?
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley wrote most of it, with Ace Frehley contributing 'Parasite' and 'Strange Ways.' Simmons co-wrote 'Goin' Blind' with Stephen Coronel.
Who sang lead on Hotter than Hell?
Vocals rotate: Stanley sings 'Got to Choose' and the title track, Simmons sings most of side two, and Peter Criss sings 'Mainline' and 'Strange Ways.'
Who produced Hotter than Hell?
It was produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, the same team behind the debut, with Warren Dewey engineering.
Why did Hotter than Hell sell poorly?
Its murky production and weak early sales led the band to cut a tour short and head back into the studio for the next record.
Is Hotter than Hell certified gold?
Yes. Despite slow initial sales, it was later certified gold in the United States.
What songs from the album stayed in the Kiss set?
'Got to Choose,' 'Parasite,' and 'Goin' Blind' all became enduring parts of the band's catalog.

Sources