"Strutter" is one of the few Kiss songs written by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley together. Stanley wrote new lyrics to "Stanley the Parrot," a song whose music was composed by Simmons.[5] It combines a Rolling Stones-styled groove with a glam rock style as it pairs syncopated, ascending verse melodies with a two-note chorus that ends in a shout of the song's title.[3] The lyrics, based on the well-dressed vixens the band saw in the streets of New York, show a Bob Dylan influence.[6]
"Strutter" is widely considered one of Kiss's best songs. Cash Box said that "this may be their most dynamic [rock 'n' roll song] to date" and has "lots of bass and guitar, along with those power driven vocals here, all making for a great single release."[7]Record World called it "pleasurably pompous rock in the best style and tradition of hard, boogie-gaited music."[8] In 2014, Paste ranked the song number two on their list of the 20 greatest Kiss songs,[9] and in 2019, Louder Sound ranked the song number five on their list of the 40 greatest Kiss songs.[10]
The song was re-recorded as "Strutter '78" on the compilation album Double Platinum, released in 1978. It was the only single from the album, and was more successful than the original, reaching No. 89 on the Australian Kent Music Report charts.
The single version is faster and shorter, with an altered guitar solo, plus a more prominent hi-hat (cymbal) sound throughout than its album counterpart. The song was also released as an EP in Mexico, backed with "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll", "Love Gun" and "Beth".[13]
Gene Simmons, on the topic of the re-recording in Guitar World's September 1996 issue, remarks "I look back at that and think, 'why?'", adding he feels "the original version is the classic and the best."[14]
^Dolan, Joe; Martoccio, Angie; Sheffield, Rob (November 20, 2024). "The 74 Best Albums of 1974". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 30, 2024. ...within a decade, the glam metal [KISS] blueprinted on "Strutter" and "Deuce" would be more dominant than any other sound on this list.
^Kavka, Daniel (August 2010). Young Americans to Emotional Rescue: Selecting Meetings Between Disco and Rock, 1975-1980. Bowling Green State University. p. 3.
