# The 1976 song Paul Stanley had “every intention of singing” before giving up

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1976-song-paul-stanley-had-every-intention-of-singing-before-giving-up/
- Published: 2026-07-19T21:30:00+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-1976-song-paul-stanley-had-every-intention-of-singing-before-giving-up/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Paul Stanley wrote 'God of Thunder' in 1976 with himself as the intended vocalist
- Producer Bob Ezrin convinced Simmons to sing it instead, transforming it into one of his signature performances
- Stanley has acknowledged the shift, noting only one lyric was altered from his original composition

## Summary

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons formed their creative partnership despite Stanley's initial reservations about Simmons' collaborative nature. Their shared aesthetic vision—elaborate makeup, pyrotechnics, and theatrical presentation—established Kiss's unified visual identity and allowed considerable songwriting freedom across the band, though conflicts sometimes arose over the final direction of tracks.

Stanley originally composed 'God of Thunder' for himself to perform, with nearly identical lyrics to the final recorded version (changing only 'We make love 'til we bleed' to 'Hear my word and take heed'). Producer Bob Ezrin recommended Simmons take the vocal role instead, a choice that turned the song into one of Simmons' most recognisable performances, complete with his trademark demonic stage presence. Stanley has since reflected on this decision, emphasising that the song was a genuine composition intended for him rather than a throwaway idea, even as it became permanently associated with Simmons' theatrical delivery.

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