"Kissing a Fool" is a song written and performed by English singer and songwriter George Michael, released on 21 November 1988 by Columbia Records and Epic Records as the seventh and final single from his debut studio album, Faith (1987). It was the least successful single from the album, reaching number 18 on the UK singles chart and becoming the first single in five not to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. However, it reached number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and became a number 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, being regarded critically as one of his most vulnerable recordings and one of his best ballads. In 2021, BBC Radio 2 listeners voted "Kissing a Fool" as number 15 in their top 40 George Michael songs.

"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, where it reached number 29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Production Writing In 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. 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 elaborated on the writing of "Kissing a Fool":

Recording The recording sessions for "Kissing a Fool" took place at Sarm West Studio 2 in Notting Hill, London. According to Michael, the vocals were recorded a cappella in one take.

Composition A sophisti-pop and jazz ballad with minimal instrumentation and a jazz feel, "Kissing a Fool" features arrangement by English film composer John Altman. Aside from Michael's vocals, the song employs piano, guitar, bass, drums and a brass section. It is composed in the key of E♭ major, and Michael's vocal range spans B♭3 to B♭5.

Track listings

Personnel Personnel taken from Faith liner notes. George Michael – vocals, bass, arranger, producer Hugh Burns – guitar Lee Fothergill – guitar Chris Cameron – piano Ian Thomas – drums John Altman – saxophone Mark Chandler – trumpet Malcolm Griffiths – trombone Steve Sidwell – trumpet Paul Spong – trumpet Jamie Talbot – alto saxophone Rick Taylor – trombone Steve Waterman – trumpet

Charts

Weekly charts +George Michael version Chart (1988–1989) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 55 Canada (The Record's Retail Singles Chart) 7 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 41 Spain (PROMUSICAE Top 40 Radio) 28 US Cash Box Top 100 4

+Michael Bublé version Chart (2003) Peakposition

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Position Canada 61 US Billboard Hot 100 91

References

Works cited