Written by George Michael

“Kissing A Fool” was a beautiful ballad written and sung by the incredible George Michael (1963-2016) from his 1987 multi-platinum smash, Faith. This modern torch song was one of the singles from the album and reached #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 as well as #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The late UK superstar was one of the best singers of his generation and his performance on “Kissing A Fool” was another showcase of class and superior skills.

Fifteen years later, “Kissing A Fool,” with its jazzy feel and retro atmosphere, was among the songs picked by David Foster and Michael Bublè for the singer’s debut Warner Brothers cd. The up’n’coming Canadian sensation did an impressive job with this song. Bublè take on the song actually went neck-to-neck with the George Michael original. Foster arranged the track with the help of the legendary Mike Melvoin (1937-2012), an arranger extraordinaire who worked with many top artists including Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, The Beach Boys and Barbra Streisand. The arrangement pushed a bit more on the jazz side compared to the original, but the smoothness of the backing track was still intact. The result was a pop/jazz listening delight. Foster on piano, Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Tull on drums, Brian Bromberg on bass and Dean Parks on guitar delivered the goods with a musical landscape that allowed Bublè to shine with his warm and confident baritone. Bublè’s version of “Kissing A Fool” was among the singles released from his cd in the US and it went to #29 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

As usual, we have asked The Hitman if he had any memory about this recording and this is what he kindly sent:

“As I recall, Michael picked George Michael’s ‘Kissing A Fool.’ I wasn’t too familiar with this song opposed to many of the others we chose for the album that I loved, but Michael hadn’t heard of. This was really a great performance. I was super happy with my arrangement and I think it’s one of his best vocals ever.”

Listen

• Lead Vocal: Michael Bublé
• Piano: David Foster
• Bass: Brian Bromberg
• Drums: Dave Tull & Vinnie Colaiuta
• Guitar: Dean Parks
• Percussion: Rafael Padilla
• Synthesizer Programming: Neil Devor

• Arranged by Michael Melvoin & David Foster
• Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

You are far
When I could have been your star
You listened to people
Who scared you to death
And from my heart
Strange that you were strong enough
To even make a start
You’ll never find
Peace of mind
Till you listen to your heart

People
You can never change the way they feel
Better let them do just what they will
For they will
If you let them
Steal your heart from you
People
Will always make a lover feel a fool
But you knew I loved you
We could have shown them all
We should have seen love through

Fooled me with the tears in your eyes
Covered me with kisses and lies
So far
But please don’t take my heart

You are far
I’m never gonna be your star
I’ll pick up the pieces
To mend my heart
Strange that I was wrong enough
To think you’d love me too
You must have been kissing a fool
I said you must have been kissing a fool

But remember this
Every other kiss
That you’ll ever give
Long as we both live
When you need the hand of another man
One you really can surrender with
I will wait for you
Like I always do
There’s something there
That can’t compare with any other

You are far
When I could have been your star
You listened to people
Who scared you to death
And from my heart
Strange that I was wrong enough
To think you’d love me too
You must have been kissing a fool
You must have been kissing a fool
You must have been kissing a fool