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]

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.

1. ^ ^{a b} "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)^{[permanent dead link]}

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