THE UNRELEASED & RELATED

Spotlights (Peter Criss, 1978)

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Track Notes:
** "Spotlights (And Lonely Nights)" is the only known out take/demo from Peter Criss' solo album recording sessions. According to Peter, "It never got released. Sean Delaney is the only person I know who has it. What a great song that was, but people thought it was too depressing so the Company never released it" (KISS Army International via LF#80). But with lyrics like "Spotlights, and lonely nights / It's just a game I'm in / Wake up, in the morning / And I wonder, when will I see you again / And those rock and roll bars / And limousine cars / Just want somebody to hold / I don't need no friend with a helpin' hand / I don't need no drink, to help me pretend I'm alone," over a manic monotone piano key, it's not too surprising it was left off.

What is interesting is that Sean's 1979 solo album "Highway" (released very early in the year and recorded in the latter half of 1978 while Sean was helping record demos for Peter's own solo album) just happens to have the track "Spotlights" on it. As a matter of discussion concerning the writing of the song in a June 29, 1978 memo from Bill Aucoin to Peter Criss, Sean had apparently agreed, "Spotlights (And Lonely Nights) - to be shared equally (50/50) for writers credit, copyright and royalties" (Aucoin). The version of the song recorded by Sean credits Richard T. Bear on piano, making it likely that Richard also plays on the demo with Peter's vocals. For release on the album the song would revert to its sole writing credit by Sean, since the agreement with Peter was only applicable if the song appeared on Peter's album. The demo was likely recorded by Sean with his session players, who would also record the other demos Peter used on his album.

[Verse]
Spotlights, and lonely nights
Guess that's the game I'm in
Wake up, in the morning
And I wonder, when will I see you again

And those rock and roll bars
And limosine cars
Just want somebody to hold
I don't need no friend
With a helpin' hand
I don't need no drink
To help me pretend I'm alone (yeah)

Spotlights, and lonely nights
Guess that's the game I've played
I've always got everything I want
But now it's got me, there's nothing to see...
But the way you've deceived
The way I've learned to play make-beleive

In those rock and roll bars
Limosine cars
Just want somebody to hold
Don't need no friend
With a helpin' hand
Don't need no drink
To help me pretend I'm alone (yeah)

[Solo]

But the weight you've deceived
The way I've learned to play make-beleive
In your rock and roll bars
And limosine cars
Just want somebody to hold
Don't need no friend
With your helpin' hands
Don't need no drink
To help me pretend I'm alone

I'm alone

(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
(He's on the spotlight) Lonely nights
(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
(He's on the spotlight) Lonely nights
(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
Guess that's the game I'm playin' (He's on the spotlight)
(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
(He's on the spotlight) Lonely nights
(Spotlights, and lonely nights, guess that's the game, guess that's the game)
Guess that's the games (He's on the spotlight)
(He's in the) Spotlights

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