Kiss of Fire: The song, the film

The song Kiss of Fire is originally titled El Choclo in Spanish, meaning The Corn Cob. It was written by Angel Villodo, an Argentine musician, said to be in honor of a proprietor of a popular nightclub who was known as El Choclo. It also became a very popular tango in Argentina.

The piece has been recorded without vocal by dance orchestras since 1903. El Choclo was translated into English in 1952, the most popular vocal version was that of Georgia Gibbs.

Kiss of Fire was made into a movie in the ‘50s, topbilled by Jack Palance and Barbara Rush. It was hyped: ‘This was the kiss that changed the destiny of the wild frontier.’

Here’s the passionate lyrics of Kiss of Fire.

Ad of Kiss of Fire

Kiss of Fire Georgia Gibbs

I touch your lips and all at once the sparks go flying

Those devil lips that know so well the art of lying

And though I see the danger, still the flame grows higher

I know I must surrender to your kiss of fire

Just like a torch, you set the soul within me burning

I must go on, I’m on this road of no returning

And though it burns me and it turns me into ashes

My whole world crashes without your kiss of fire

I can’t resist you, what good is there in trying

What good is there denying you’re all that I desire

Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely

If I’m a slave, then it’s a slave I want to be

Don’t pity me, don’t pity me

Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow

Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow

I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me

Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire

Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely

If I’m a slave, then it’s a slave I want to be

Don’t pity me, don’t pity me

Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow

Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow

I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me

Though it consumes me

Your kiss of fire

Aside from the English version of the song, Kiss of Fire was also translated in Spanish, Finnish and Tagalog.

The local version’s lyrics, Hagkan Ako, was written by Levi Celerio and recorded by Baby Jane.

The Tagalog lyrics:

Hagkan Ako

Hagkan ako, hagkan ako mahal kong Irog

Habang ako’y nasa bisig mong mabibilog

Bayaan mong sa halik mo ako’y malunod

Upang ang aking mga dusa ay maanod.

Hagkan ako ng halik na di malilimot

Halik na sa dusa ng puso ko’y dudurog

At sa halik mong mainit na lumulubos

Timyas ng iyong pangako ibig kong matalos.

Huwag ng mangimi sa akin ay idulot

Ang kay bango mong labi may samyo ng pag-irog

Bawat gabi pangarap sa pagtulog ang dampi ng halik mo na walang lagot

O kay tamis aking irog

Hagkan ako, hagkan ako ng walang takot

Hagkan ako ng halik na di mauubos

Hagkan ako ng halik na di matatapos

Upang di na lumapit sa akin ang lungkot.

—RKC