You know the feeling. Those first few acoustic guitar strums start up—that bright, jangly D-major chord—and suddenly it's 1998 all over again. You’re thinking about Freddie Prinze Jr. walking down a staircase or maybe you’re just remembering your own awkward high school dance. Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer isn't just a song; it is a literal time capsule of a very specific era of pop culture.
It’s weird, though. Most hits from that late-90s window feel dated now. They have that over-compressed, glossy sheen that screams "produced in a lab." But "Kiss Me" feels different. It’s organic. It’s a bit vulnerable. Honestly, it’s one of the few songs from the Lilith Fair era that still gets played at weddings, in grocery stores, and on TikTok without anyone rolling their eyes.
But there is a lot of baggage and some genuine surprises behind those three and a half minutes of pop perfection.
The Accidental Smash
Sixpence None the Richer didn't set out to write a global chart-topper. They were a Christian alternative band from New Braunfels, Texas. Their name comes from a C.S. Lewis book, Mere Christianity. They were deep in the Nashville CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) scene, which usually meant playing to specific crowds and staying in a specific lane.
Matt Slocum, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, actually wrote "Kiss Me" while the band was on tour in the Netherlands. He’s gone on record saying it was just a "silly" song. He didn't think it was a masterpiece. He just wanted something lighthearted to balance out the more melancholic, introspective tracks the band was known for.
Leigh Nash, whose voice is basically the sonic equivalent of a warm cup of tea, brought it to life. Her delivery is the secret sauce. If a powerhouse diva had sung "Kiss Me," it would have been annoying. If a rock singer had done it, it would have been cheesy. Nash sang it like she was whispering a secret in your ear. That breathy, understated vocal is what made it feel "indie" even when it was being played on every Top 40 station in the world.
Why "She's All That" Changed Everything
Timing is everything in the music business. You can have a great song, but if nobody hears it, it doesn't exist. "Kiss Me" was released on their self-titled album in 1997, and for a while, it didn't do much.
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Then came Miramax.
The song was famously featured in the 1999 teen rom-com She's All That. You remember the scene. Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) gets her "makeover" and walks down the stairs. The glasses are off. The hair is done. The song swells. It was a massive cultural moment.
But it wasn't just that movie. The song was also heavily featured on Dawson’s Creek. Back then, the WB Network was the ultimate tastemaker for teenagers. If a song played while Dawson and Joey were pining for each other, it was guaranteed to sell records. By the time the dust settled, "Kiss Me" reached Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed on the charts for a staggering 33 weeks.
Interestingly, it also crossed over into the UK, reaching Number 4. It even got played at the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones. From a Texas youth group circuit to a Royal Wedding—that’s a wild trajectory for a song about "bearded barley."
Let's Talk About That "Bearded Barley" Lyric
What is bearded barley anyway?
It’s one of those lyrics people sing without thinking, but it’s actually a real thing. Barley has long, hair-like bristles called awns. When the wind blows through a field of it, it looks like it’s dancing. Slocum’s lyrics are surprisingly poetic for a pop song. He mentions "the green, green grass" and "the moon’s silver light." It’s pastoral. It’s romantic.
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It also avoids being overly "preachy," which was a big deal for a band coming out of the Christian market. There’s no explicit religious imagery here. It’s just about a moment between two people. That universal appeal allowed it to transcend the "Christian band" label that killed the mainstream careers of so many of their peers.
The Production Magic of Steve Taylor
We have to give credit to Steve Taylor. He produced the track. Taylor was a bit of a legend in the alternative Christian scene—a provocateur and a brilliant filmmaker/musician in his own right.
He understood that "Kiss Me" needed to sound timeless. He opted for a clean, acoustic-driven arrangement. There are no trendy 90s synth patches that scream "1998." There are no heavy-handed drum loops. Because the production was so restrained, the song doesn't feel like a relic. It sounds like it could have been recorded last week by an artist like Clairo or Kacey Musgraves.
A Quick Breakdown of the Hits and Misses
- The Accordion: There’s a subtle accordion in the background. It adds this European, busker-vibe that makes the song feel like it’s set in a Parisian cafe rather than a studio in Nashville.
- The Tempo: It’s brisk. 103 BPM. It’s fast enough to be upbeat but slow enough to be a ballad.
- The Bridge: "Lead me out on the moonlit floor..." The shift in the bridge provides that emotional release that every great pop song needs.
The Legacy: Covers and TikTok
Fast forward to today. "Kiss Me" has been covered by everyone. New Found Glory did a pop-punk version that was surprisingly good. Avril Lavigne has performed it live. Ed Sheeran has played it.
Lately, the song has seen a massive resurgence on social media. Gen Z has discovered the "cozy" aesthetic of the late 90s, and "Kiss Me" is the unofficial anthem of that movement. It’s used in "get ready with me" videos and nostalgic montages.
There’s something about the song’s sincerity that resonates with a generation tired of irony. It’s a song that isn't afraid to be sweet. In an era of "edgy" pop, that sweetness feels radical.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Sixpence
People often think Sixpence None the Richer was a one-hit wonder. They weren't.
They had a massive follow-up hit with their cover of The La’s "There She Goes." They also had a beautiful track called "Breathe Your Name" that did well on adult contemporary charts.
The band actually has a deep, complex discography. If you only know them for "Kiss Me," you’re missing out on some incredible songwriting. Their later albums, like Divine Discontent, are much darker and more experimental. They dealt with label issues, lawsuits, and the typical "industry nonsense" that usually breaks bands apart. They’ve broken up and reunited multiple times, but Leigh Nash’s voice remains one of the most recognizable instruments in music.
How to Get the Most Out of Your 90s Nostalgia
If you're revisiting the band or this song specifically, don't just stop at the radio edit.
- Listen to the "Japanese Version": Yes, Leigh Nash recorded a version of "Kiss Me" with parts of the lyrics in Japanese. It’s incredibly charming.
- Check out the live acoustic sets: Search for their 1999-2000 live performances. You’ll see that they were a tight, talented group of musicians, not just a studio creation.
- Explore the "She's All That" Soundtrack: It’s a masterclass in late-90s A&R. From Fatboy Slim to The Cardigans, it’s a snapshot of a very specific vibe.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
If you want to dive deeper into this sound or understand why this specific style of music worked so well, here is what you should do next:
- Listen to "The La’s" self-titled album: This was a huge influence on the band. You’ll hear where that jangly guitar sound originated.
- Compare the "Kiss Me" production to modern "Bedroom Pop": Listen to "Kiss Me" back-to-back with someone like Beabadoobee. You will notice the direct DNA link in the vocal delivery and acoustic textures.
- Support the band directly: Sixpence None the Richer is still active in various forms. Leigh Nash has a great solo career, and the band occasionally tours. Buying their music or seeing a show helps keep these legacy artists afloat in the streaming era.
The song is more than a movie soundtrack filler. It’s a piece of meticulously crafted pop-folk that managed to capture lightning in a bottle. Whether you love it for the nostalgia or the genuine craftsmanship, there's no denying that when those strings kick in at the end, you’re probably going to sing along.