Give Him a Great Big Kiss

Song Meaning

{"song_id": 10556271, "meaning": "Bette Midler's rendition of \"Give Him a Great Big Kiss\" is less a nuanced character study and more a gleeful explosion of teenage infatuation. The song vibrates with the raw, unfiltered energy of a girl utterly consumed by a boy who is, let's face it, more archetype than actual person. Midler doesn't just sing the lyrics; she embodies the breathless anticipation, the almost comical idealization, and the delicious rebellion inherent in young love. The lyrics themselves are a rapid-fire series of impressions, delivered with the breathless pace of a whispered secret. The object of affection is a collage of cool: shades, 'thick wavy hair,' and an air of perpetual melancholy. He's the kind of guy who probably smokes clove cigarettes and reads Kerouac, or at least gives the impression that he does. The narrator's lack of concrete details – 'What color are his eyes? / I don't know he's always wearing shades' – only reinforces the idea that she's drawn to the image, the performance of coolness, rather than the person beneath. The chorus, a simple declaration of love and devotion, acts as a counterpoint to the almost manic energy of the verses. It's a grounding force, a reminder that beneath the surface of teenage obsession lies a genuine, albeit naive, desire for connection. The spoken-word interjections, reminiscent of a girl group confessional, add another layer of playful self-awareness. They hint at the narrator's friends' skepticism ('Well, I hear he's bad'), which only fuels her attraction. The dialogue format implies that the narrator is trying to make the case for this boy, 'he's good, bad but he's not evil', and perhaps convince herself of his redeeming qualities as much as she's trying to convince her friends. Ultimately, the song meaning isn't about the boy at all; it's about the intoxicating power of first love and the way it can warp our perception of reality. It's a celebration of the irrational, the impulsive, and the utterly consuming nature of teenage desire. It is a recognition that sometimes, all you want to do is 'walk right up to him, give him a great big kiss,' consequences be damned. Bette Midler, with her characteristic theatrical flair, perfectly captures this spirit, delivering a performance that is both hilarious and strangely poignant."}