The 1960s gave the world some of the most iconic pieces of music ever recorded, and few acts encapsulate the era’s lush, emotional intensity quite like The Ronettes. Their 1963 single “Then He Kissed Me”, produced by the legendary Phil Spector, remains a defining moment in pop history—a symphonic love story pressed onto vinyl, swathed in orchestral brilliance and youthful passion. Though the group is best remembered for their breakout hit “Be My Baby”, Then He Kissed Me is equally deserving of critical acclaim for its innovative production, emotional sincerity, and timeless arrangement.
Featured on the 1964 album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, this track exemplifies the “Wall of Sound” production technique that would later influence everyone from Brian Wilson to Bruce Springsteen. The song remains a textbook example of how music production can elevate a relatively simple lyrical narrative into an epic musical journey. Today, we’ll explore not only the album’s background and the composition of this particular track, but also examine the instrumental choices that make it such a distinctive piece of music. If you’re looking for a deep dive into one of girl group pop’s finest moments, this review will guide you through the sonic architecture of a truly exceptional song.
The Album: Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica
Released in 1964 by Philles Records, the only studio album from The Ronettes is something of a cultural time capsule. Titled Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, it is one of those rare albums that serve as a complete artifact of their time. Produced by Phil Spector and built almost entirely around his vision, the album features most of The Ronettes’ well-known hits, including “Be My Baby”, “Baby, I Love You”, and, of course, “Then He Kissed Me”.
The album is anchored by the charismatic voice of Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), whose distinctive tone rides confidently atop Spector’s bombastic orchestral arrangements. Though only one album was released under their name, The Ronettes’ contribution to the music world cannot be overstated. This album became an emblem of girl-group pop, fusing traditional vocal harmony styles with cutting-edge studio innovations.
In many ways, this record feels more like a concept album than a random assortment of singles. Each track carries emotional continuity—romantic longing, teenage excitement, and the vulnerability of first love. Then He Kissed Me stands at the emotional core of the album, offering a narrative arc of innocent infatuation evolving into lifelong devotion.
The Composition: Orchestral Pop at Its Finest
From the very first note, Then He Kissed Me sets a cinematic tone. The opening glockenspiel, a hallmark of Spector’s Wall of Sound, rings out like a music box in a dream. It’s soon joined by the rolling drum pattern of the great Hal Blaine, who lays the rhythmic foundation with his signature reverb-heavy fills that propel the song forward like a heartbeat of anticipation.
Then come the layers: strings, piano, bass guitar, and background vocals—all stacking atop one another to form a monolithic soundscape. Spector’s “Wall of Sound” technique was all about density: recording multiple instruments playing the same parts simultaneously in an echo chamber, then blending them into a single, immersive waveform. In Then He Kissed Me, that technique reaches near-symphonic levels. It’s not just a song; it’s a piece of music designed to overwhelm your senses.
The guitar work, while often buried under the layers of reverb and orchestration, plays a crucial role in giving the track its propulsion. Played likely by Tommy Tedesco of The Wrecking Crew, the strumming is both percussive and melodic, accentuating each beat with clarity. Meanwhile, the piano dances beneath the arrangement, adding both rhythmic texture and emotional resonance.
Ronnie’s vocals enter with unflinching confidence: “Well, he walked up to me and he asked me if I wanted to dance.” What follows is a lyrical progression that charts the course of a blossoming romance—from the first dance to a kiss, to a proposal, and finally, to marriage. The narrative simplicity is precisely what makes it universal, especially when paired with Ronnie’s nuanced delivery that blends vulnerability and determination.
The Soundscape: A Classic Example of the Wall of Sound
Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production is an art form in itself, and Then He Kissed Me is one of its purest embodiments. Spector built each track as though it were a cathedral—massive, echoic, and imbued with emotional grandeur. This production style was revolutionary for its time, breaking away from the dry, straightforward mixing of the 1950s.
The recording involved a large ensemble of musicians, most of whom were part of the session collective known as The Wrecking Crew. Instruments were doubled or tripled across various tracks: multiple guitars, multiple basses, even multiple drum kits, all recorded in the same room. These were then blended together using analog tape echo and reverb to create a seamless wall of harmonics.
A notable inclusion in Then He Kissed Me is the use of castanets and chimes, which add a percussive shimmer to the arrangement, heightening the romantic tone. The vocals are double-tracked and often layered with backing harmonies from the other Ronettes—Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley—who add both harmonic richness and emotional depth.
Why It Still Matters Today
Though more than half a century has passed since Then He Kissed Me first hit the airwaves, the song remains deeply relevant. In an age dominated by digital production and autotune, revisiting this analog masterpiece feels almost like a spiritual cleansing. It reminds us that music at its best is not just heard but felt.
There’s also a lesson here for modern producers and artists: emotion trumps perfection. Every element in Then He Kissed Me serves the central theme—innocent, unabashed love—and the song doesn’t shy away from being emotionally direct. It’s earnest, grandiose, and beautifully sincere, qualities that are often underappreciated in today’s cynical pop culture.
For younger listeners unfamiliar with the early 60s girl group era, this track serves as a perfect entry point. It not only showcases the immense talent of The Ronettes but also offers a crash course in mid-century pop production. This is a piece of music that doesn’t just entertain; it educates.
Related Listening: Songs Cut From the Same Cloth
If Then He Kissed Me resonates with you, there are several other tracks that deserve a spot on your playlist:
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The Crystals – “And Then He Kissed Me”: Interestingly, this track shares a near-identical title and was also produced by Spector, showcasing similar production techniques and themes.
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The Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody”: Another Spector-produced track, this one leans more toward adult contemporary but is equally rich in emotional storytelling.
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Darlene Love – “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry”: Featuring the same lush arrangements and romantic narrative.
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The Shangri-Las – “Remember (Walking in the Sand)”: A moodier, more dramatic take on young love, with layered vocals and dramatic storytelling.
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The Beach Boys – “Don’t Worry Baby”: Brian Wilson’s answer to Spector’s Wall of Sound; another emotionally potent, harmony-rich masterpiece.
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Lesley Gore – “You Don’t Own Me”: Shifting the narrative slightly, this track emphasizes female independence while still featuring strong vocal and instrumental arrangements.
Final Thoughts
In the world of classic pop, few songs manage to be both a cultural artifact and a living, breathing piece of art. Then He Kissed Me by The Ronettes accomplishes that and more. With its cinematic structure, rich orchestration, and impassioned vocals, it remains a high watermark in 1960s music production. The song isn’t just a nostalgic throwback—it’s a masterclass in how to construct a romantic narrative through sound.
Whether you’re an audiophile, a student of music history, or simply someone looking for a heartfelt escape, Then He Kissed Me is a song that rewards multiple listens. It captures the magic of a first kiss and the timelessness of true love—all within three minutes of sonic perfection. A perfect album inclusion, an unforgettable vocal, and a guitar-piano interplay that lingers long after the final note—this is not just a song; it’s a legacy.
And in an era obsessed with the next big thing, sometimes the most valuable insights come from looking back—especially at a piece of music as transcendent as this.