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Foolish Games

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Foolish Games

| cover = Jewel single 03 foolishgames.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Jewel

| album = Pieces of You Batman & Robin

| B-side = "Angel Needs a Ride" "Everything Breaks"

| released =

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Pop

| length = * (album version)

* (radio edit)

| label = Atlantic

| writer = Jewel Kilcher

| producer = Peter Collin

| prev_title = You Were Meant for Me

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = Morning Song

| next_year = 1998

| misc =

}}

"'Foolish Games'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jewel from her debut studio album, 'Pieces of You' (1995). It was also the third single to be lifted from the 'Batman & Robin' motion picture soundtrack. Jewel re-recorded the single for the soundtrack to produce a more radio-friendly version, similar to her other singles "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "You Were Meant for Me". This version is shorter than the album version by one verse. The song details the frustration and agony of knowing that the intensity of one's love is not reciprocated by one's lover.

A CD single for the song was not issued in the United States. However, a re-released version of the "You Were Meant for Me" CD single had a hidden bonus track of the single version of "Foolish Games". Because of this, instead of debuting and charting on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in the traditional way, "Foolish Games" was able to continue the chart life of "You Were Meant for Me". The latter, which had peaked at number two and was spending its 41st week on the chart, rebounded to number 12 as "Foolish Games/You Were Meant for Me", eventually peaking at number seven eight weeks later. As a result, 'Billboard' listed "Foolish Games" as peaking at number two despite the song never actually reaching that position. "Foolish Games/You Were Meant for Me" was listed as the second best-performing song of 1997 by 'Billboard'.

The single is ranked at number 20 on 'Billboard's All Time Top 100 and held the Guinness World Record for the longest chart run of a single, 65 weeks, but this achievement has since been surpassed multiple times. Jewel was also nominated for Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Foolish Games". The song was included on Jewel's 'Greatest Hits' as a duet with Kelly Clarkson.

Critical reception



Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic described the song as "superior". Chuck Taylor from 'Billboard' stated that it is the "quintessential musical moment" of the 'Pieces of You' album. He wrote that "the vocally sweeping ballad offers the richest arrangement among her hits, with lyrics that affectingly express the emotional descent of a woman whose love is unappreciated, perhaps even unseen, by her object of affection". The magazine also noted that "this piano-anchored ballad places the singer/songwriter in a setting that is almost orchestral and far more lush than those of her previous hits".

A reviewer from The Daily Vault said "Foolish Games" "works because of the wailing chorus both tired and yearning". David Browne from 'Entertainment Weekly' compared Jewel to British singer Kate Bush on the track, in his review. Australian music channel Max placed the song at number 503 in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2011. Ed Masley from 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette' described it as an "emotional ballad" with a "chilling climax". Sal Cinquemani from 'Slant' called it "a female-centric take" on Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat", and noted that "Foolish Games" "remains one of the great pop songs of the '90s, buoyed by the singer's impeccably wrenching vocal performance".

Music video



The accompanying music video for "Foolish Games" was directed by American artist, photographer, director and creative director Matthew Rolston. It is almost colorless and features Jewel performing the song in a pale and barren landscape. Some scenes also features her riding a horse.

Track listings



* 'US promo CD'

# "Foolish Games" (radio edit) 4:00

* 'European and Australian CD single'

# "Foolish Games" (radio edit) 4:00

# "Angel Needs a Ride" 4:17

# "Everything Breaks" 3:21

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Decade-end charts



All-time charts



Certifications



References



Category:1990s ballads

Category:1997 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Batman (1989 film series)

Category:Batman music

Category:Jewel (singer) songs

Category:Kelly Clarkson songs

Category:Music videos directed by Matthew Rolston

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs written by Jewel (singer)

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