Time again for another Number One from 1986: Forty years ago this week, on April 19, 1986, “Kiss” (video up top) by American musician (etc…) Prince, became the new Number One. The song, released on February 5, 1985, was the Prince’s eighth studio album, Parade. That album was the third and final album credited to the band Prince created,The Revolution.
I’ve said before that I liked some of Prince’s songs, and not others, something that’s not even remotely unique for me, of course. I liked the very start of this particular song—but not a lot after that point. Sure I liked the structure and the rhythm, but I’m often not keen on men singing falsetto through most of a song, and, for me, this was one of those times I didn’t like it. It happens.
As it happens, I liked the 1988 version by The Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones [WATCH/LISTEN on YouTube]. However, I think the Art of Noise version sounds much more 80s than the original Prince version did, but maybe that’s just me.
“Kiss” reached Number 2 in Australia, 4 in Canada, 2 in New Zealand (2x Platinum), 6 in the UK (Platinum), and Number One on the USA’s “Billboard Hot 100”, and was their US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and remixes hit Number One on two Billboard dance charts. It also hit Number One on the Cash Box “Top 100” chart. The song was certified Gold in the USA. Also, since I mentioned it above, the Art of Noise cover hit Number 6 in Australia, Number One in New Zealand, Number 5 in the UK, and 31 on the USA’s “Billboard Hot 100”
The album Parade reached Number 11 in Canada, Number 7 in New Zealand, Number 4 in the UK (Platinum), and Number 3 on the USA’s “Billboard 200”, as well as Number 2 on their “US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart. The album was certified Platinum in the USA.
This series will return in two weeks, on May 3, with the next new Number One from 1986.
Previously in the “Weekend Diversion – 1986” series:
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 1 – January 18, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 2 – February 15, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 3 – March 1, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 4 – March 15, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 5 – March 22, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 6 – March 29, 2026
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