Kissing a Fool (song)

"Kissing a Fool" is a song written and performed by George Michael and released by Columbia Records in 1988.

"Kissing a Fool"
Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released21 November 1988
Recorded1987
Genre
Length4:35
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"Monkey"
(1988)		 "Kissing a Fool"
(1988)		 "Praying for Time"
(1990)
Music video
"Kissing a Fool" on YouTube

A ballad with minimal instrumentation and a jazz feel, the song was written about Michael's insecurities as a soulmate and partner because of the baggage and reputation with which he came. According to Michael, the vocals were recorded a cappella 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 seventh and final single to be released from the album Faith. It was also the least successful, making number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the first single in five not to make number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. However, it reached number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and became a number 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100,[2] 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 number 29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Writing

According to an interview published in the December 1987 issue of International Musician and Recording World magazine, Michael remembers writing "Kissing a Fool" en route to Japan for Wham!'s 1984 tour (referring to the Big Tour) in early 1985.[3] However, much like other songs Michael was writing at the time, it couldn't be used for Wham! due to certain restrictions in the duo's image; a solo album would be the best chance to use it (which, in that case, turned out to be the Faith album more than two years later).[4]

Michael elaborates on the writing of "Kissing a Fool":

"I don't think I've ever been influenced by other friends as to who I should or shouldn't go out with. 'Kissing A Fool' isn't really about that. It's about a relationship I had with someone who couldn't handle the situation because of who I was, George Michael. At the time it did surprise me. First I hadn't realized how much I'd achieved and secondly I hadn't realized it could have its limitations. I write it in that swing style because I think that period of music had that feeling of resignation. It's very much a late night giving up feeling."[5]

Track listing

7": UK / Epic EMU 7
  1. "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34
  2. "Kissing a Fool" (instrumental) – 4:34

12": UK / Epic EMU T7
  1. "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34
  2. "Kissing a Fool" (instrumental) – 4:34
  3. "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III)" – 3:48

CD: UK / Epic CD EMU 7
  1. "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34
  2. "Kissing a Fool" (instrumental) – 4:34
  3. "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III)" – 3:48

Charts

References
  1. Greene, Jayson (17 July 2007). "George Michael – Faith – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 September 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 169.
  3. Horkins, Tony (December 1987). "George Michael: A Question Of Faith". International Musician. UK.
  4. "George Michael on Aretha Franklin, Solo album and AIDS Benefit (1987)".
  5. "Faith: George Michael Speaks".
  6. Scott, Gavin. "This Week In 1989: January 15, 1989". chartbeats.com.au. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  7. "George Michael – Kissing a Fool" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  8. Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  9. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 21 January 1989. p. 74. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  10. "George Michael – Kissing a Fool" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  11. "George Michael – Kissing a Fool" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kissing a Fool". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 51, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  14. "George Michael – Kissing a Fool" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  15. Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  17. "George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  18. "George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  19. "George Michael Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  20. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, November 26, 1988". Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  21. "Barry's Hits of All Decades Pop rock n roll Music Chart Hits".
  22. "Top 100 Hits of 1988/Top 100 Songs of 1988 | Music Outfitters".
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