Story Behind The Song
Released in 1989, “Kisses On The Wind” was the third single from Neneh Cherry’s acclaimed debut album, Raw Like Sushi. Written by Neneh Cherry and Cameron McVey, and produced by the Coldcut-affiliated production team, the song demonstrated Cherry’s ability to blend hip-hop, soul, pop and dance music into a fresh and sophisticated sound. Its relaxed groove and confident vocal style helped establish her as one of the most distinctive new artists of the late 1980s.
The song explores the excitement and uncertainty of romance, capturing the feeling of sending affection towards someone while waiting to discover whether those feelings will be returned. Neneh Cherry’s expressive vocal performance combines warmth, attitude and conversational charm, giving the song a natural personality. A laid-back bass groove, crisp programmed percussion, subtle samples and atmospheric keyboards create a spacious musical backdrop, while the memorable chorus provides an infectious pop hook. The production balances the rhythmic influence of hip-hop with soulful melodies and contemporary dance textures, reflecting Cherry’s eclectic musical background.
“Kisses On The Wind” helped reinforce Neneh Cherry’s reputation as an artist willing to challenge the boundaries between genres. Following the success of “Buffalo Stance”, it demonstrated that her appeal extended beyond the alternative dance scene and into mainstream pop. Today, the song remains a favourite from Raw Like Sushi, admired for its effortless groove, distinctive production and Cherry’s charismatic performance. It stands as a fine example of the adventurous, genre-blending British pop that emerged towards the end of the 1980s.
The song peaked at No. 20 in the UK singles chart on the 26th August 1989.
Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Genre
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
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ALL information on this page was obtained from numerous sources. These include The Official Charts website, Discogs, 45Cat, Polyhex, and many other sites.
Some images have been cleaned up using CHATGPT.
A-SIDE & B-SIDE COVERS
TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Kisses On The Wind (Radio Edit) (3:40) (Cherry, McVey) Produced By The Dynamik Duo, Nick Plytas |
| B-Side | Buffalo Blues (4:20) (Cherry, McVey, Gibbs) Produced By The Dynamik Duo |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [4 Weeks] – 12th August 1989 – 2nd September 1989 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
Kisses On The Wind (Radio Edit) (3:40)
Kisses On The Wind (US Edit) (3:25)
Kisses On The Wind (LP Version Minus Intro) (3:49)
Kisses On The Wind (Remix) (4:16)
Kisses On The Wind (A Little More Puerto Rican) (7:15)
Kisses On The Wind (Extended Album Version) (5:07)
Kisses On The Wind (English 12″ Mix) (7:15)
Kisses On The Wind (Spanish 12″ Mix) (7:15)
Kisses On The Wind (House Dub) (6:24)
Kisses On The Wind (Street Mix) (5:07)
Kisses On The Wind (Moody Mix) (6:47)
Kisses On The Wind (Bass Dub) (6:00)
Kisses On The Wind (The Dynamik Duo Remix) (6:53)
Kisses On The Wind (The Dynamik Duo & Latin Rascals Dub Wise Mix) (6:49)
Kisses On The Wind (The Dynamik Dueo Radio Remix) (3:23)
Kisses On The Wind (Album Version) (3:57)
OFFICIAL VIDEO
LYRICS
Pero chica, mi amiga, ¿qué dice’?
Esto es yo, esto es yo y como hablo
Y hablo así, y hablo así contigo
Nah, man (What we’re gonna do right here is go back)
(Yeah) Nah, man, you know
(Way back, back into time)
Ay, pero, Neneh (Take me back), yo soy tu amiga, ¿tú sabe’?
Yo soy tu a—, tu amiga (I don’t speak Swahili)
¿Qué? ¿Pero qué dices, chica?
Ay, me voy
Down this wild street walks, walks a child with no trace
Of ever being as young as her sister is
A local neighborhood crush, the boys would hide out and watch
Her hanging washing on the line, all the time
More like a woman, she talks like one
She was the first girl
She was the first girl to turn the boys on
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger
So young, making love was only dreaming
This girl, she’s got another story
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind
Te compras una bomba, pero no me importa
At the corner shop, halfway down the block
All the radios pumping to the way she walks
Past the flyboys art, where her name’s engraved
“Sweet liberty” is what it says
More like a woman, she dress like one
She was the first girl
She was the first girl to turn the boys on
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger
So young, making love was only dreaming
This girl, she’s got another story
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind
Te compraste una bomba (Kiss)
Pero no me importa, ¿qué te digo, hombre, mi amigo?
(Blow another kiss, baby)
Uh, it doesn’t matter, you know what I’m saying
Uh, no, forget it, because I’m going there, man, you know?
You could follow me, but—
You know what I’m saying, don’t make me say it
Uh, no sé
Okay, me voy
The price of puberty’s got a way of showing
(What we’re gonna do right here is go back)
It doesn’t come in easy stages (Way back, back into time)
Her mother’s face in the pot won’t ever leave it (Back into time)
She needs a bell to ring the changes
More like a woman, she walk like one
She was the first girl
She was the first girl to turn the boys on
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger
So young, making love was only dreaming
This girl, she’s got another story
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger
So young, making love was only dreaming
This girl, she’s got another story
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind
(Nah, man, I gotta go shopping, I told you)
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger (Quiero darle a [?])
(Man, you asked me that already, ¿tú sabe’? No, pero—)
So young, making love was only dreaming
(Ay, ¿qué lo que? Ah, pfft)
This girl, she’s got another story (Ah, no sé)
(Mi niña, mi little sister, you know what I’m saying?)
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind (You know?)
Boys, boys wrapped around her finger
(Ella está en la escuela toda’ las día’, y yo, yo tengo que)
So young, making love was only dreaming
(Kick a rock, you know what I’m saying?)
This girl, she’s got another story
(No, pero es tan linda, tú eres tan linda)
When they are gone, she blows them kisses on the wind
(Yo sé, ay, ay, yo conozco eso)
Boys
Written By Cherry, McVey
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