In the history of rock and roll, KISS has been one of the biggest bands ever. From their Rolling Stones, AC/DC, or the Beatles. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, KISS has positioned themselves to be mentioned in the rarefied air alongside these fellow contemporaries.

Beginning as Wicked Lester, Chaim Witz and Stanley Eisen tried to make the band work, but both knew changes needed to be made if they were ever going to make it big. A major step they took was changing their names, with Witz becoming Gene Simmons and Eisen becoming Paul Stanley.

Eventually, the two would be ed by Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, starting a new band named KISS. It didn't take long for the band to make an impact. Their signature makeup and costumes made them stand out, but surely one significant thing that has set them apart over the years is the hit songs that have come to define them.

10 Black Diamond

Album: Kiss (1974)

When a band becomes as successful as KISS, it's hard to believe there was ever a time they were just trying to make it like all other acts. However, that's exactly what they were doing in February 1974 with their self-titled debut studio album. With a clear vision in mind, it didn't take them long to produce this record. From it, they released three singles, which "Black Diamond" was not one of, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming an iconic piece of their live performances.

As many musicians like to do, KISS has gone old school during their shows. As a way to honor their beginnings, the band has performed "Black Diamond" over 1,900 times (setlist.fm). This places it among their top four most played. The song has always been praised for its progression of sound and the great instrumentation that helped make it a concert hit. Additionally, it's a track that allows all four of the band to have a moment to shine.

9 Rock And Roll All Nite

Album: Dressed To Kill (1975)

Over time, KISS would learn that on their sophomore album, Dressed to Kill, they had created one of their biggest songs ever, "Rock and Roll All Nite." The release of it placed the band at the 68th position on the Billboard Hot 100, but they were determined to continue making this track as big as possible. They released a live version not too long after the original, and this time, it reached number 12 on the chart.

This became the band's first Top 20 song, and it was fitting, because the live performance of it is an iconic part of their shows. Famously, "Rock and Roll All Nite" served as the band's closing track to their concerts. This rock anthem resonated with the fans and the connection is obvious. Currently, the song is approaching 550 million streams on Spotify, inching closer to becoming the band's second song with over one billion.

8 Detroit Rock City

Album: Destroyer (1976)

If a band is going to find the perfect closing song, then it only makes sense that they have one for the opening as well. For KISS, this song came from their 1976 album Destroyer, and it was called "Detroit Rock City." On this album, the band moved away from the raw sounds of their early beginnings, but it paid off. Quickly, it became one of their first major milestones, as the album went from Gold to Platinum in a matter of months.

Quickly, it became one of their first major milestones as the album went from Gold to Platinum in a matter of months.

The band's story behind "Detroit Rock City" was one that took a dramatic turn. What was once supposed to be just a tune about a city that embraced the band in their early days became one that also represented the tragedy of a KISS fan who died in an accident on the way to a show. Even with the conflicting themes, the song has remained a key part of the band's tradition. Not only is it simply a great tune to engage the crowd, but it now serves as a bond between the band and the fans.

7 I Was Made For Lovin’ You

Album: Hard Times (1979)

If you want a song that has divided KISS fans for decades, look no further than "I Was Made for Lovin' You." The song, which came from the band's seventh studio album, strayed from their traditional sound as they incorporated many elements of disco into it. This was a decision that bothered many, but it was something that had to be accepted. Guitarist Paul Stanley was determined to write a good disco track, and the numbers say he did.

If you look at how the song has performed compared to all of their other tracks, it always finishes at the top. It has over one billion streams on Spotify, and the music video is inching closer to this mark on YouTube. It has also become a major part of their live performances, thus making the decision to create the tune one that paid off. Whether or not it fits every fan's taste is subjective, but objectively, it has become a commercial success.

6 I Love It Loud

Album: Creatures Of The Night (1982)

There are two constants throughout the history of KISS: Gene and Paul. While they have remained the same, the two other playing alongside them have changed over the years. One of the most infamous musicians to ever play with them was guitarist Vinnie Vincent (The Ankh Warrior). The relationship between him and the band was filled with tension, but he is a part of their story. His first time playing on an album with them was Creatures of the Night, which produced the hit "I Love It Loud."

This song was accompanied by a simple yet powerful music video. In it, a teen sits at a dinner table, but quickly leaves as he hears the opening to "I Love It Loud" on the television. It then shows the band performing it live, with the iconic Gene Simmons beginning to sing. This leads to the person becoming entranced by KISS and leaving their house to others under the same spell. In many ways, it is symbolic of how quickly people fall in love with the band and become a part of their army.

5 Lick It Up

Album: Lick It Up (1983)

If creating a disco track was controversial, then removing their makeup was even worse. Instead of changing their sounds like a lot of bands during this time, they were changing their look. This all occurred during an MTV interview in 1983. The band announced this new era and would kick it off with the song "Lick It Up," along with a video that showcased them with their new look. Additionally, they would release an album of the same name and embark on a world tour to promote this next chapter.

While many may have thought this was merely a publicity stunt by the band, it was a decision they were committed to. Through this change, they aimed to gain new fans and facilitate an artistic evolution that may have been hindered by their previous appearance. Ultimately, "Lick It Up" initiated what would be over a decade without makeup. This was the first song and album in a series of many to follow.

4 Crazy, Crazy Nights

Album: Crazy Nights (1987)

As their no-makeup era continued on, the band didn't slow down in releasing hits. Right in the thick of things, the band released Crazy Nights in September 1987, four years after this period initially began. From this album, one of the biggest songs was almost labeled as the title track, but it was slightly different, as it was titled "Crazy, Crazy Nights." While it charted on a couple of Billboard charts in the United States, it actually became even bigger in the United Kingdom.

While it wasn't always a staple of live performances, the band made sure to include it during the earlier stages of their farewell shows.

This international success made the band feel justified in their quest for a larger fan base. Another cool aspect of the song is that its music video would forever serve as a staple of the no-makeup era. It showed the band performing live, giving viewers at home a chance to see what it was like to be at a KISS concert during those days. While it wasn't always a staple of live performances, the band made sure to include it during the earlier stages of their farewell shows.

3 God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You II

Album: Revenge (1992)

There is a long history behind the song "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," as its roots date back to 1973. It was originally performed by English rock band Argent. A few short years later, it would be covered by Christian rock band, Petra. Then, in 1991, KISS was the band to cover it, doing so for the movie Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey; however, their version was titled just slightly differently, as it was called "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II."

While being a part of this soundtrack was a great opportunity for the band, they felt the song was too good not to do something else with it. They decided to make it even more ingrained in their history by including the track on their 1992 album, Revenge. Beyond just becoming a great cover, it holds special meaning, as it was the last song and video to feature drummer Eric Carr before his death in November 1991.

2 Psycho Circus

Album: Psycho Circus (1998)

After their huge rise to the top in the '70s and a new era in the '80s, the band changed course later in the '90s. They reverted to their traditional makeup and costumes for their album Psycho Circus, which also featured contributions from original , Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. The title track from the album became a number one hit for the band, reaching the top spot on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart.

The only issue they faced was the fact that MTV didn't really play the music video for it. In true KISS fashion, they turned this into a marketing idea, releasing their own home video on VHS, complete with 3-D glasses. The video itself ended up becoming a Platinum seller, showcasing yet another genius merchandising decision from them. This song and record overall concluded their run in the 20th century on a positive note.

1 Hell Or Hallelujah

Album: Monster (2012)

After doing everything they felt they could do, KISS was ready to wrap up their recording career with a 20th studio album. This occurred in October 2012 with the debut of Monster. The first single the band released was "Hell or Hallelujah." It was the band showcasing their rock-and-roll roots on what would be the last-first single they ever released, making it a part of the band's legacy forever.

Although the song never became a huge concert favorite in their later years, it still holds significant meaning. It marks a crowning achievement for the band, as releasing 20 studio albums has been accomplished by some absolute legends. Of course, KISS fans have always wished for more, but the band is content with what they have done. When you create as many hits as they did, it's hard to keep topping it, but the KISS Army is thankful for what they have.