Beth (song) - Other Versions

Other Versions

• In 1988, Eric Carr re-recorded the vocal track of "Beth" for the Smashes, Thrashes & Hits compilation.
• Peter Criss also redid the song acoustic style on his 1994 album Cat #1.
• For the Kiss Unplugged album and music video, the original Kiss lineup performed a version of "Beth" that featured Peter Criss on vocals, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley on acoustic guitars, and Gene Simmons on acoustic bass guitar. However, they had to be taught the guitar version of the song by then-current lead guitarist Bruce Kulick since none of them, said Stanley, knew how to play it properly. The performance received a rousing standing ovation.
• Paul Stanley can be seen plucking part of the song's melody on an acoustic guitar as Criss sings in the Kiss film, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. However, this is the only time Criss' natural voice was heard in the film. A voice actor overdubbed his dialogue.
• In the years after he quit Kiss in 1980, Peter Criss admits that he radically changed the song for live shows. By his own admission, he made it more "Vegasy". With his return to Kiss in 1996 for their reunion tour, the song returned to the setlist. However, when Criss was again let go in 2001 (replaced by Eric Singer, who assumed Criss' catman persona), the song was again dropped from the setlist until the Sonic Boom Over Europe tour in 2010. During and following the tour, Kiss has again replaced the song on the setlist; however, the song is now sung by Eric Singer on vocals and Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer on acoustic guitars.
• Punk rock band the Groovie Ghoulies covered "Beth" as an unlisted track on their 1989 debut album Appetite for Adrenochrome. No Use for a Name also covered the song as an unlisted track on their 1997 album Making Friends, as a medley with the Beverly Hills, 90210 theme. Hardcore punk band Coffin Break also covered "Beth" for the Kiss tribute album Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation. Punk rock band Boris The Sprinkler covered "Beth" on a split 45 with The Droids.
• In the 2008 comedy film Role Models, the main character Danny (who expressed his dislike for KISS and singing in front of crowds at the beginning of the movie) ends up serenading his girlfriend named Beth at a renaissance fair with a version of the song, with heavily improvised lyrics and the music being played on a mandolin and violin.
• The song is featured in the 2009 film I Love You, Beth Cooper, and the titular character reveals she is named after the song.
• In May 2009, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert covered "Beth" during his performance with Kiss.
• In a May 2010 Glee episode "Theatricality", the cast of Glee covered the song. "Beth" is also the name chosen for Puck and Quinn's daughter, who is given up for adoption.
• In February 2011, "Beth" was covered by Laughon Bryant & The Midnite Riders on their album entitled "Down That Road".