Kissing a Fool (song)

"Kissing a Fool"
Single by George Michael
from the album Faith
Released November 21, 1988
Format CD single
Recorded 1987
Genre Jazz, adult contemporary
Length 4:34
Label Columbia
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer(s) George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"Monkey"
(1988)		 "Kissing a Fool"
(1988)		 "Praying for Time"
(1990)

"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 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 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,[1] 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.

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

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

Chart (1988) Peak
position
Canadian The Record Singles Chart[2] 7
Dutch Singles Chart[3] 13
French Singles Chart[4] 45
German Singles Chart[5] 44
Irish Singles Chart[6] 9
UK Singles Chart[7] 18
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 5
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[8] 1
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[8] 33
Preceded by
"How Can I Fall?" by Breathe		 Billboard Adult Contemporary (chart) number-one single
November 26, 1988 		Succeeded by
"Look Away" by Chicago

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 169.
  2. ↑ "Canadian Singles Chart from Nanda Lwin; Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000)"
  3. ↑ Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ George Michael - Kissing a Fool (song). Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  5. ↑ Single-Chartverfolgung. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ The Irish Charts. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  7. ↑ Top 75 Releases. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kissing a Fool - George Michael. Retrieved May 18, 2011.

External links