How Kiss’ Gene Simmons ‘Hurt’ the Co-Writer of ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’

“I Was Made for Lovin’ You” remains one of Kiss’ most famous classic rock songs — however, Gene Simmons isn’t a fan. In addition, he “hurt” one of the co-writers of the song. Here’s what one of the song’s writers revealed about Simmons.

How writing ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ was a challenge for Kiss’ Paul Stanley

Firstly, a little background. According to the book KISS Behind the Mask – Official Authorized Biography, Kiss’ Paul Stanley sometimes tried to challenge himself to write certain types of songs. For example, he listened to a number of songs by Rod Stewart like “Maggie May,” “Mandolin Wind,” and “You Wear It Well.” He decided to write a similar song and penned it “Hard Luck Woman.” In addition, he once listened to a number of dance songs and tried to throw his hat in the ring by writing a dance track. The resulting song was “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” which became the band’s biggest international hit.

How Desmond Child ‘hoodwinked’ Gene Simmons into performing Kiss’ ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’

While “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” is a dance song, it is more guitar-heavy than your average dance hit. According to Blabbermouth, one of the song’s co-writers, Desmond Child, had the idea to make a hybrid dance/rock song for Kiss. “I was experimenting then with a drum machine, and the idea of having dance beats with rock had occurred to me,” Child recalled. “So I kind of hoodwinked him into this idea of four-on-the-floor dance beat with these heavy guitars. Gene [Simmons] never bought it — he never liked it, [and] he [still] doesn’t.”

Simmons took things farther and started to distance himself from “I remember when they made a record — I think it was [Music From] ‘The Elder’ — and they started doing hundreds of interviews saying, ‘Well, this time, we’re putting guards in front of the door to keep Desmond Child out,'” he continued. “And I was so hurt. I called Paul and I said, ‘Paul, why don’t you criticize your enemies, not the friends that put money in your pocket?’ And he says, ‘Well, you know, that’s Gene — it’s not me.’ So, the next day I came home and there was a message on my answering machine. And it was, like, ‘Hi. It’s Gene. Sorry.’” Child implied he felt a little cheated that Simmons didn’t do more to apologize.

Where Desmond Child’ career went from there

Child may have had a contentious relationship with Simmons, however, he found plenty of success on the pop charts. According to Entertainment Weekly, he worked on classic songs like Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ la Vida Loca.” In addition, he worked with artists like Katy Perry, Aerosmith, Kelly Clarkson, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. He’s also credited as a writer on Ava Max’s single “Kings & Queens.” Simmons wasn’t a huge fan of “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” but it remains one of Kiss’ and Child’s most famous songs.