Methods and kits for labeling nucleic acids are provided. In the subject methods, an oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid comprising an oligonucleotide tag is first generated. The oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid is then contacted under hybridization conditions with a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag, yielding a labeled nucleic acid. The kits of the subject invention at least include a primer for use in enzymatically generating an oligonucleotide tagged target nucleic acid, where the primer generally at least includes an oligo dT region and the oligonucleotide tag, and a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag. The subject methods and kits find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in gene expression analysis applications.