"Kissing Strangers" is a song by American band DNCE, featuring vocals from American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released as a single through Republic Records on April 14, 2017. It was later included on the bonus edition of the band's self-titled debut studio album, which was released in 2016 and only available on the 2017 Japan version. The remix was a collaboration with Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, who was added to the song, was released on July 28, 2017. "Kissing Strangers" is a pop song.
On April 6, 2017, the band posted a picture of Doug the Pug including a phone number listed on his dog tag, if dialed, an instrumental chorus of "Kissing Strangers" will be offered. DNCE and Nicki Minaj teased the collaboration via social media on April 10, 2017. Nicki Minaj revealed photos from the music video, while DNCE released a preview of the song, with an early snippet offered by dialing a phone number.
In an interview by CBS Radio, Joe Jonas of DNCE said: "'Kissing Strangers' is a song about having fun with a stranger, getting to know them a little better, [and then] they're no longer a stranger. Just finding yourself; finding who you want to be with."
"We have the amazing, beautiful, talented Nicki Minaj on the track as well. We shot the music video in L.A. a week ago, and we can't wait to share that." Jonas continued. "We're huge fans of her work, and it was an immediate thought to have her be a part of the song, so we sent her the track, she wrote her verse in like, five minutes, and came out exactly how we'd hopes and she kills it... in the best way."
"I'm really proud of 'Kissing Strangers,'" Justin Tranter, co-writer of the song, told Billboard magazine. "The chorus is about being open-minded to the love that might be in front of you." Cole Whittle said: "I've been working with Justin since we were kids, he's like family to us. He introduced Joe and I, so he's a big part of why DNCE exists."
