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.
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