Kissing a Fool (song)
Encyclopedia
"Kissing a Fool" is a song
written and performed by George Michael
and released by Columbia Records
in 1988.
A ballad with minimal instrumentation and a jazz
feel, the song was written about George's insecurities as a soulmate and partner because of the baggage and reputation with which he came. According to George the vocals were recorded acapella in one take. "Kissing a Fool" was the working-title for the album, which later was renamed to Faith.
Aside from Michael's vocals, the song employs piano, guitar, bass, drums, and a brass section. It was the sixth and final single to be released from the album Faith. It was also the least successful, making #18 in the UK Singles Chart
and becoming the first single in five not to make #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
in the USA
. However, it reached #1 in the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
and became a #5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 , remaining a fan favourite and being regarded critically as one of his most accessible and honest recordings.
"Kissing a Fool" was Michael's last single for almost two years in the United Kingdom
. It was later covered by Michael Bublé
on his self-titled album
and released as a single in the United States
and reached #29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written and performed by George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
and released by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1988.
A ballad with minimal instrumentation and a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
feel, the song was written about George's insecurities as a soulmate and partner because of the baggage and reputation with which he came. According to George the vocals were recorded acapella in one take. "Kissing a Fool" was the working-title for the album, which later was renamed to Faith.
Aside from Michael's vocals, the song employs piano, guitar, bass, drums, and a brass section. It was the sixth and final single to be released from the album Faith. It was also the least successful, making #18 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and becoming the first single in five not to make #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, it reached #1 in the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
and became a #5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 , remaining a fan favourite and being regarded critically as one of his most accessible and honest recordings.
"Kissing a Fool" was Michael's last single for almost two years in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was later covered by Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
on his self-titled album
Michael Bublé (album)
Michael Bublé is the major label debut album released by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. The album was released in February 2003.- Production and Composition :...
and released as a single in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and reached #29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
CD: UK / Epic CD EMU 7
- "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34
- "Kissing a Fool" [Instrumental] – 4:34
- "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III)" – 3:48
Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
13 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
45 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
44 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
9 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
18 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
5 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
33 |