The ballad[5] was released to modern rock radio on July 14, 1998, and was issued physically on August 12, 1998, in the United States.

Several music critics compared the song to works by English alternative rock band the Sundays, and it was nominated for a Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 42nd Grammy Awards.

Three music videos were made for the song, with one paying tribute to French romantic drama film Jules and Jim and two others featuring the band in the park, watching a portable television.

[10] Rick Anderson of AllMusic described the song as "an utterly irresistible slice of swoony guitar pop" adding that "is impossible to shake loose from the brain and could well turn out to be this generation's 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand'.

"[11] Chuck Taylor and Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine compared the song to those recorded by the Sundays.

[12] Jim Kerr of Radio & Records magazine wrote that the song is an "amazing piece of alterna-pop" reminiscent of the Sundays.

[13] Larry Flick of Billboard described "Kiss Me" as a "refreshing summertime tune" with "airy" production and "romantic" imagery.

[27] The track reached number one in Australia, where it stayed for three weeks in June 1999 following a four-week climb up the ARIA Singles Chart.

[46] Two alternate versions of the video were also released later, which featured the band sitting on a park bench, performing and watching scenes from either She's All That or Dawson's Creek on a portable television or projected on an outdoor screen.

[48] As a solo artist, the lead vocalist of the band, Leigh Nash recorded a cover of the song for her 2018 Limited Edition EP and sings it as part of her live sets.

[54][55] Thai singer Lisa of K-pop girl group Blackpink interpolated the song's chorus in her single "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)" from her album Alter Ego in October 2024, transforming the alternative rock ballad into a more upbeat nu-disco dance-pop track.

[56][57] In 2006, the song garnered renewed popularity in the Philippines because of a viral performance from actress and former Viva Hot Babes member Alyssa Alano.

The viral video, which was uploaded on YouTube, featured a mondegreened version of the performance, with karaoke subtitles of her accented lyrics, which, among other things, rendered the title of the song as "Keys Me.

"[58][59] In the 2003 romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, "Kiss Me" plays during a kiss-cam scene when their characters Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry attend a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden.