"Kissing a Fool" is a

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...

written and performed by George Michael and released by Columbia Records in 1988. A ballad with minimal instrumentation and a

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

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 in a cappella in one take. "Kissing a Fool" was the working-title for the album, which later was renamed to ''

Faith Faith, derived from Latin ''fides'' and Old French ''feid'', is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or In the context of religion, one can define faith as " belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion". Religious people ofte ...

''. 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 The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

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 The Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on airplay data submitted to ''Billboard'' by stat ...

and became a number 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 Michael Steven Bublé ( ; born September 9, 1975) is a Canadian singer. A four-time Grammy Award winner, he is often credited for helping to renew public interest and appreciation for traditional pop standards and the Great American Songboo ...

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 ''International Musician and Recording World'' was a magazine published from 1975 to 1991. Originally launched in the UK, editions were created for the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. Foundation ''International Musician and Recording ...

'' magazine, Michael remembers writing "Kissing A Fool" en route to Japan for

Wham! Wham! (briefly known in the US as Wham! U.K.) were an English pop duo formed in Bushey in 1981. The duo consisted of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. They became one of the most commercially successful pop acts of the 1980s, selling mor ...

's 1984 tour (referring to The Big Tour) in early 1985. 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). Michael elaborates on the writing of "Kissing A Fool":

Track listing

7": UK / Epic EMU 7

# "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34 # "Kissing a Fool" nstrumental– 4:34

12": UK / Epic EMU T7

# "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34 # "Kissing a Fool" nstrumental– 4:34 # "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III)" – 3:48

CD: UK / Epic CD EMU 7

# "Kissing a Fool" – 4:34 # "Kissing a Fool" nstrumental– 4:34 # "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III)" – 3:48

Charts

Weekly charts

;George Michael ;Michael Buble

Year-end charts

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Kissing A Fool (Song) 1987 songs 1988 singles 2003 singles George Michael songs Michael Bublé songs Songs written by George Michael Song recordings produced by George Michael RPM Top Singles number-one singles Sophisti-pop songs Columbia Records singles Pop ballads