KISS frontman Paul Stanley recently discussed his songwriting approach and creative differences with bandmate Gene Simmons during an appearance on the Broken Record Podcast.
Stanley’s comments came in response to a question about whether there was ever competition within the band regarding song selection and creative direction.
When asked about potential competition with Gene Simmons over song choices, Stanley explained his selective approach to songwriting.
“Although we’ve had very brotherly ego competitions, I think Gene’s been very pragmatic in that case,” Stanley said. “For me, it’s always been a conscious effort to write the opening track.”
Stanley went on to highlight the fundamental difference in their creative processes.
“Big difference between Gene and me has always been that Gene will write songs that are really good and other songs that are not so good,” he explained. “He just writes and I self-edit.”
The guitarist emphasized his quality-over-quantity philosophy when it comes to songwriting.
“A song takes work,” Stanley continued. “It takes effort and if it’s not going great or if I don’t think it’s great or serving the purpose, I throw it away. I move on.”
“So on most albums, I’ve written five or six songs,” he added. “I didn’t write 10 songs. I certainly didn’t write 20 songs. I write and go, ‘Okay, this is my contribution to the identity of the album.'”
Stanley’s selective approach to songwriting has deep roots in KISS’s history. It reflects the creative dynamics that have shaped the band’s five-decade career.
American Songwriter reported that KISS was formed after the dissolution of Simmons and Stanley’s previous band, Wicked Lester. Wicked Lester was a folk-rock group that never achieved mainstream success. This shared history helped foster a collaborative spirit between the two, despite their occasional “brotherly ego competitions.”
Stanley’s quality-focused method proved particularly effective during the mid-to-late 1970s, when he went through a prolific creative period. KISS FAQ documented that Stanley wrote several of the band’s most memorable tracks for albums like Dressed to Kill. These included “Room Service,” “Rock Bottom,” “Anything for My Baby,” “C’mon and Love Me,” and the chorus of “Rock and Roll All Nite” in rapid succession. This era showcased his ability to focus intensely on quality while still maintaining strong output.
Stanley is known for his selectivity. However, he has also embraced collaboration throughout his career when the right opportunities arose. American Songwriter noted that he co-wrote major hits like “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” with Desmond Child and “Forever” with Michael Bolton. This highlighted his adaptability and openness to creative partnerships beyond his work with Simmons.
The creative partnership between Stanley and Simmons has remained central to KISS’s identity. Both musicians bring distinct approaches to the songwriting process. Stanley’s methodical, quality-first philosophy has complemented Simmons’ more prolific output style. This created a balance that has sustained the band’s creative momentum across multiple decades and album releases.
