In France They Kiss on Main Street

"In France They Kiss on Main Street" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell from the album The Hissing of Summer Lawns. It was released as a single in 1976 and reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[1] Despite the title referring to kissing in France, the song actually tells a story of young romance and coming of age in the 1950s in North America.^[2]

"In France They Kiss on Main Street"
Single by Joni Mitchell
from the album The Hissing of Summer Lawns
B-side	"The Boho Dance"
Released	1976
Length	3:19
Label	Asylum
Songwriter(s)	Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)	Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell singles chronology
"Carey (live)" (1974) "In France They Kiss on Main Street" (1976) "Coyote" (1977)
Official audio
"In France They Kiss on Main Street" on YouTube

It features David Crosby, Graham Nash, and James Taylor on backing vocals, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on guitar. Cash Box said that "Joni Mitchell has distilled the essence of romance and spread it liberally through the grooves of this single."^[3] Record World called it "an exquisitely textured tune" that has "all the grace and vocal finesse that contributed to the widespread success of 'Free Man.'"^[4] The song is played in DAEGAD tuning with a capo on the second fret.^[5] An animated music video for the song was created, played on The Old Grey Whistle Test.

Personnel

Personnel taken from Joni Mitchell's website.^[6]

• Joni Mitchell – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Victor Feldman – electric piano
• Max Bennett – bass guitar
• John Guerin – drums
• Robben Ford – electric guitar
• Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – electric guitar
• James Taylor – backing vocals
• David Crosby – backing vocals
• Graham Nash – backing vocals

Charts

Chart performance for "In France They Kiss on Main Street"

Chart (1976)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7]	19
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[8]	33
US Billboard Hot 100[1]	66
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[9]	32
US Cash Box Top 100[10]	55

References

1. "Joni Mitchell Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
2. Bing.com Lyrics: "In France They Kiss on Main Street". Retrieved Nov. 5, 2023.
3. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. January 31, 1976. p. 26. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
4. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. January 24, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
5. "Joni Mitchell - in France They Kiss on Main Street - transcription".
6. "Joni Mitchell – The Hissing of Summer Lawns". jonimitchell.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4102a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
8. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4108." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
9. "Joni Mitchell Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
10. Cash Box. March 6, 1976. p. 4 Box Top 100 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-03-06.pdftitle=Cash Box Top 100. Retrieved 16 July 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)