Song Titles Containing the Word Kiss

A student in Portland, Maine was denied his diploma when he blew a kiss as he walked across the stage during the graduation ceremony. According to the news account on MSN.com, Justin Denney bowed and blew a kiss in the direction of his family when he was about to receive his diploma. Bonnie Eagle High School superintendent Suzanne Lukas ordered him back to his seat for violating the behavior code.

Mary Denney, the young man's mother, was upset. She said that blowing a kiss to your mother was not bad behavior, and she is requesting an apology from the school in addition to her son's diploma.

The school district will likely grant Justin his diploma, but I am not so certain about the apology. In order to lighten the mood between the family and the school, I offer up this list of song titles containing the word at the heart of the controversy.

10. "It Started with a Kiss" by Hot Chocolate: I always loved the name of this 70s R&B band. This song is in the same vein as their most popular hit, "You Sexy Thing."

9. "Kiss the World Goodbye" by Kris Kristofferson: Without a doubt this is the most depressing song from the singer-songwriter's Border Lord, though the music is actually somewhat jovial. The lyrics, such as "I'm gonna leave what's left of my luck to the losers, And then bend down and kiss the world goodbye," make you face the certainty of death.

8. "Kiss Off" by The Violent Femmes: I like the ten reasons the poor guy here lists for taking the ten doses, from being lonely, for no tomorrow, for headaches, heartaches and even a lost god. The vocal screams with pain against a jaunty electric guitar, typical of the alternative band's music.

7. "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" by Charley Pride: The country classic tune exudes optimism, and the title reveals the secret to happiness.

6. "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" by Jimmie Rodgers: The stanzas in this conservative country classic follow the natural course of love from the first kiss to marriage to children to grandchildren.

5. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer: This is a beautiful pop song, rich with imagery. The last verse itself makes as good a stanza as you'll find in American poetry, as the female voice coos, "Kiss me down by the broken tree house, Swing me upon its hanging tire."

4. "Sealed with a Kiss" by Bobby Vinton: Summer is supposed to be a great time for students. What if you're in love with someone in school, and you're about to be separated from their love until September? Bobby Vinton croons an excellent ballad for those in the

situation above.

3. "Last Kiss" by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers: The tragic song about a lover dying in a car crash is better known by its chorus, "Where oh where can my baby be? The lord took her away from me."

2. "Kiss You All Over" by Exile: Before the band became superstars of country, they released this smash hit for the pop charts.

1. "Kiss on My List" by Hall and Oates: This duo has always been a guilty pleasure for me. This tune hints at disco, power pop, and even offers a touch of 80s new wave.