"Kiss from a Rose"
Single by Seal
from the album Seal II and Batman Forever : Music From the Motion Picture
B-side
Released18 July 1994
Genre
Length
  • 4:47 (album version)
  • 3:38 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Henry Samuel
Producer(s)Trevor Horn
Seal singles chronology
"Prayer for the Dying"
(1994)		 "Kiss from a Rose"
(1994)		 "Newborn Friend"
(1994)
1995 re-release
Batman Forever soundtrack single
Licensed audio
"Kiss from a Rose" on YouTube

"Kiss from a Rose" is a song from British singer-songwriter Seal's second eponymous album (1994). The song was first released as a single in July 1994 by ZTT, Sire and Warner Bros., and included in the film The NeverEnding Story III that year. It was re-released a year later in 1995 as part of the Batman Forever film soundtrack, helping it top the charts in the United States and Australia. The song also reached the top 10 in several other countries, including Canada, France, Iceland and Norway. At the 1996 Grammy Awards, it won awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.[3]

Background

"Kiss from a Rose" was written in 1987, several years prior to the release of Seal's eponymous debut album from 1991. After writing the song, Seal felt "embarrassed by it" and "threw the tape in the corner". Seal did not present it to producer Trevor Horn until the recording sessions for Seal II. In 2015, Seal said of the song: "To be honest, I was never really that proud of it, though I like what Trevor did with the recording. He turned that tape from my corner into another 8 million record sales and my name became a household name".[4]

"Kiss from a Rose" was the second single taken from the Batman Forever film soundtrack, and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week in August 1995. It also went to number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it had originally reached number 20 in 1994. It also was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Song from a Movie in 1996.[5]

Seal talked about the long, strange journey that the song went through on The Brian McKnight Show season finale that aired 30 May 2010. He described how the song initially dropped out of the charts shortly after its release. Joel Schumacher subsequently called Seal, and requested use of the song to play over a love scene between the characters played by Nicole Kidman and Val Kilmer in Batman Forever.

Critical reception

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel felt that "fairy-tale-ish melodies and harmonies" uplift "Kiss from a Rose".[6] Ian Gittins from Melody Maker noted its "would-be butterfly sigh".[7] Another editor, Andrew Mueller, called it "a nondescript wine bar ballad".[8]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Sealed with a kiss, here you get a ballad and a half! It's got the right pathos and the unavoidable violins. The thorn, needed to show the sincerity, comes from the razor sharp alto sax".[9]

Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "Seal's magnificent 'Kiss from a Rose' – now subtitled 'Love Theme from Batman Forever' – is back a mere year after its first release when it reached number 19. A complex yet melodic song, it has remained a radio staple since it was first released, and is ready to explode".[10]

The song's cryptic lyrics have been the subject of debate since its release. In 2015, Seal provided verified commentary on the "Kiss from a Rose" entry on the website Genius, stating simply: "I have avoided explaining these lyrics for over 25 years. I am not going to start doing it now".[11]

Music video

Two versions of the music video were produced:

  • The original version is set in a photographic studio and was co-directed by Matthew Rolston and William Levin. The 1966 film Blowup was heavily referenced in the video.
  • The second version was directed by Joel Schumacher and has Seal performing the song beside the Bat-Signal, interspersed with clips from the film Batman Forever. This is the more well known video of the song. The director of photography of this version of the music video was Neil Abramson.

Use in media

Sung in Vacation (by Christina Applegate, Ed Helms and child actors)

Sung in Yellowjackets season 1 episode 9 Doomcoming

Track listing

Between all the formats of the single release, bonus tracks include the non-album tracks "The Wind Cries Mary" (a Jimi Hendrix cover) and "Blues in 'E'"; remixes of "Kiss from a Rose" by Adamski (who produced the original version of "Killer"); and remixes of album track "I'm Alive" by Steve Fitzmaurice and Sasha with BT.

  • "Kiss from a Rose" (radio edit) – 3:38
  • "Kiss from a Rose" (album version) – 4:47

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[51] Platinum 70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[69] Gold 250,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[70] Gold  
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[72]
(physical) 		Gold 700,000[73]
United States (RIAA)[72]
(digital) 		Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hunter, James (2 November 2004). "Seal". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 723.
  2. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1999). All-Time Top 1000 Albums. Virgin Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-7535-0354-9. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Past Winners Search". Grammy.com. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Seal – Kiss From a Rose Lyrics". Genius. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Kiss From A Rose by Seal Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  6. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (17 June 1994). "McLachlan Explores Love At Its Darkest". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  7. ↑ Gittins, Ian (4 June 1994). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  8. ↑ Mueller, Andrew (6 August 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 August 1994. p. 6. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Jones, Alan (15 July 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 29. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Seal. "Kiss from a Rose". Genius. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "Fantasia 2015: Watch the Trailer for Uganda's First Action Film WHO KILLED CAPTAIN ALEX | Film Pulse". filmpulse.net. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Hawes, Charlotte (22 June 2023). "EastEnders: Ian Beale to return to Albert Square with ex-wife Cindy amid Rose storyline". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  14. ↑ Duke, Simon (21 June 2023). "EastEnders' Cindy Beale back 'from the dead' on BBC soap as fans go wild". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  15. ↑ Knight, Lewis (21 June 2023). "EastEnders airs dramatic return for schemer Cindy Beale as Rose Knight". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  16. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 16 Oct 1994". ARIA. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 33. 13 August 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 24 September 1994. p. 24. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (01.9.–07.9. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 1 September 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  23. 1 2 "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  24. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  25. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  26. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2742." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2750." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 610 October 2019.
  29. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 43. 28 October 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  30. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 40. 7 October 1995. p. 24. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  31. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  32. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  33. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 42. 21 October 1995. p. 25. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  34. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kiss from a Rose". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  35. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  36. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  39. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  40. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  41. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  42. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  43. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  44. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  45. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  46. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  47. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  48. ↑ "Seal Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  49. ↑ "Seal – Kiss from a Rose". Tracklisten. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  50. ↑ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  51. 1 2 "1995 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  52. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1995" (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  53. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  54. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  55. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  56. ↑ "Music & Media 1995 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 51/52. 23 December 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  57. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  58. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  59. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  60. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  61. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  62. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995" (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  63. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
  64. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  65. ↑ "1995 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. 23 December 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  66. ↑ "1996 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. 28 December 1996. p. YE-84. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  67. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (25 December 1999). 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade – The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s. Billboard. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  68. ↑ "Danish single certifications". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  69. ↑ "French single certifications – Seal – Kiss from a Rose" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  70. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  71. ↑ "British single certifications – Seal – Kiss from a Rose". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  72. 1 2 "American single certifications – Seal – Kiss from a Rose". Recording Industry Association of America.
  73. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 3. BPI Communications. 20 January 1996. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
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