In 1990, French TV presenter Lagaf' used a sample of the song in a parodic version under the name Bo le lavabo (WC Kiss).

The song's moans are sampled as part of the beat on "Custom Made (Give It to You)" by Lil' Kim, which appeared on her album The Notorious K.I.M.

[7] Robyn's 2018 song "Send to Robin Immediately" creates a slow build using a sample of "French Kiss".

[8] In 1995, American DJ, record producer, remixer and songwriter Armand van Helden named "French Kiss" one of his "classic cuts", saying, "This song is my first introduction to trance because, to me, it's a serious house track.

"[9] Also British DJ and producer Pete Tong named it one of his "classic cuts" the same year, adding, "One of the most important riffs ever written in house music and frequently imitated but never bettered.

"[10] In 1996, Mixmag ranked it number 53 in its "100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time" list, commenting, "Back in 1989, this was the record that every DJ needed.

The one that, if you dared mix out it before the slow down - orgasm bit - speed up gimmick, a horde of people would come up to the DJ for a whinge.

[12] In 2006, Slant Magazine ranked it 7th in its "100 Greatest Dance Songs" list, adding, "'French Kiss' is a moaning, sex-as-house track that audaciously and amazingly slows down and then stops altogether.

"[13] In 2014, Rolling Stone featured it in their "20 Best Chicago House Records" list, saying, "For all the pseudo-romantic flailings of contemporary EDM diva anthems, it's hard to match the raw sexiness of this track, whose vocals came courtesy of Shawn Christopher.

They wrote, "This number from Chicago's Lil' Louis was one of the first house tracks to enjoy both considerable commercial success and heavy club airplay on its release.