I Was a Fool

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For other uses, see I Was a Fool (disambiguation).
"I Was a Fool"
Warner Bros. Records
Songwriter(s)
  • Tegan Quin
  • Sara Quin
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Tegan and Sara singles chronology
"Closer"
(2012) 		"I Was a Fool"
(2013) 		"Goodbye, Goodbye"
(2013)

"I Was a Fool" is a song written and performed by Canadian duo Tegan and Sara for their seventh studio album, Heartthrob (2013). Inspired by Rihanna's singles "Unfaithful" and "Umbrella", the song is about a woman who is in a troubled relationship but doing nothing to fix it, making her seem like a fool.

"I Was a Fool" was released in Canada as the second single from the album on April 24, 2013, and peaked at nineteen on

CBC Radio 2 Top 20, making Tegan and Sara the first twins in history to take the top spot on the chart.[1]
In July 2013 "I Was a Fool" was certified Gold in Canada.

Writing

piano ballad
.

In November 2011, Tegan and Sara announced that they were writing new material for their seventh studio album, with Tegan saying that "[we] are back in our home studios working away at more songs. We’re really looking forward to making a new record now. Our hope is to be in the studio by early 2012."

piano ballad after listening to Rihanna's 2006 single "Unfaithful": "I was listening to [it] and wanted to create a similar piano riff." She added: "I was deliberately writing a song that I thought someone like Rihanna would want. I also wrote it thinking of her sort of character, someone who is in the media all the time and is probably not the person they're portrayed to be."[5] She also wanted "I Was a Fool" to be "something really sad and kind of fucked, but something that everybody would relate to", in the vein of Rihanna's "Umbrella".[3]

As Tegan recalls writing the lyrics, "I was in Los Angeles where I have a place with my girlfriend and I was messing around on the guitar. We ran out to do some errands and halfway there, I said to my girlfriend, 'We have to go back.' I had the line 'I did behave' stuck in my head so I went home and recorded that one part. It sat on my computer for about a week then I sat down to continue writing and the rest of the song came together really fast."[6] Sara wrote the bridge, with Tegan explaining in a track-by-track commentary, "There were eight or 16 bars of silence in the song—I can't remember what the number was—that I'd just left for her. She called me and was like, "That is impossible! You need to put a guitar or something in there." So I ended up just using the same chords from the chorus, and she sang overtop of it."[3]

Production

The original demo of "I Was a Fool" consisted only of a piano, an acoustic guitar and synths. Tegan showed it with six producers, one of them who was Greg Kurstin: "he was the only producer out of all of the producers we talked to who was like, "This is a pop song, a huge pop single ballad." I was like, "What?" It's awesome that he heard that." This helped the duo decide who they were going to work with on the seventh album,[3] which was titled Heartthrob and recorded between February and May 2012.[4]

The entire production of "I Was a Fool" took place in studios in Los Angeles, California. The original mix of "I Was a Fool" was produced, engineered with Jesse Shatkin, and programmed by Greg Kurstin, who also played keyboards, guitar, bass and piano, at Echo Studio. Billy Bush recorded the drums, which were played by Joey Waronker, at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, with Andrew Ford and Jeremy Miller assisting. The track was mixed by Manny Marroquin at Larrabee Studios with help from Chris Galland and Del Bowers. Finally, Brian Gardner mastered it at Bernie Grundman's studio, also in Hollywood.[7] Sara said about the song in a MTV Hive interview, "I think that it surprised me so much, it was a beautifully-written song of Tegan’s, but something in production and mixing really, to me, sounded like a super-classic song. Almost like I couldn’t believe that it was our song." She also said it was one of their favorite songs from Heartthrob to perform live.[8]

Composition

The three-minute, 24-second "I Was a Fool" is performed in

Alter the Press! said it sounded like a song from Britney Spears' album ...Baby One More Time.[15]

Critical reception

"I Was a Fool" was given positive reviews by

Idolator described it as "a warm, shimmering song that makes you want to sway",[16] and another writer for the site, Stephen Sears, called it the best song of Heartthrob, writing that "Gwen Stefani’s make-up will run as she cries with jealousy over [the track]".[17] Stereogum journalist Michael Nelson also honored it as the best track of the record, saying that it "sounds like an instant classic, the type of thing that should soundtrack a few million breakups over the next few years and still be prominent in our cultural consciousness three decades from now".[18] Marc Burrows of Drowned in Sound called "I Was a Fool" one of the album's "best moments", along with "Love They Say" and "Now I'm All Messed Up", praising the lyrical content: "the heartbreak comes in waves, but it's never cloying, never over the top. Instead it gives real punch..."[19]

Sarah H. Grant, reviewing Heartthrob for

Pitchfork Media, Laura Snapes used the song as an example to show the LP avoided being anything generic or radio-friendly.[20] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz said, "The lyrics are simple but effective, and Tegan delivers each word with purpose."[21] However, in a positive review of the album by Paste, Dan Weiss called "I Was a Fool" an "early misfire", also noting it as the only track that didn't have "one memorable phrase you won’t be able to excise from your head ‘til at least April."[22] Carolyn Vallejo wrote for Alter the Press! that it fell "short of irony-pop and find themselves stuck in boy band territory", describing it as "sickeningly sweet and a bit too naïve".[15]

Commercial performance

"I Was a Fool" debuted on the Billboard

UK Singles Chart, their first single to chart in the country.[27]

Music video

The video was released on April 24, 2013, simultaneously with the single. Tegan is shown singing the song while playing the piano. A woman portrayed by Mae Whitman[28] is shown crying, looking at a painting signed "Sid" as well as turning her phone over after receiving a call from the same person, whose name is revealed to be Sidney. Sara is seen singing on the balcony. The woman is later shown next to smashed up records as she picks up a copy of Heartthrob. She also throws away paintings and burns more of Sidney's possessions, and then proceeds to throw the shards of the broken records from her balcony and smile. Tegan and Sara are then shown on both sides of a glass window as Tegan places her hand to it; Sara disappears and Tegan is then replaced by the woman with her hand to the window, looking out at the sun.

Live performances

The duo premiered "I Was a Fool", along with "Now I'm All Messed Up" and "I'm Not Your Hero", in Vancouver on September 23, 2012.[29] Tegan and Sara appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform "I Was a Fool" and "Closer". Kyle McGovern of Spin opined on their performance of "I Was a Fool": "the Canadian pair beautifully blended acoustic guitar strums and their signature harmonies with a lilting piano line, deservedly earning cheers and whistles from the crowd."[30] In February 2013, the duo played the song in February 2013 at the Virgin Red Room.[31] In January 2014, they performed it at Billboard Women in Music 2013.[32]

Cover and remixes

Bridgit Mendler released her cover of "I Was a Fool" in February 2013.

In February 2013, American singer

MTV Live UK.[41]

Matthew Dear premiered his remix of "I Was a Fool" on April 18, 2013. Its consists of an "icy, slow-building ambient bassline and beat" that Michael Nelson of Stereogum said to have made Tegan and Sara's vocals "somehow even more heartbreaking".[18] On May 21, 2014, the duo teamed up with Indaba Music to start a remix contest for the song, with the prize being $750, inclusion on one of their official releases, autographed merchandise products and exposure on their official website. The contest lasted until June 18, 2014,[42] with the winner being the VBND remix.[43] On September 30, 2014, a release consisting of sixteen remixes, including remixes by Matthew Dear and VBND, was issued.[44]

Track listing

Digital download
  • "I Was a Fool" – 3:24

Credits and personnel

The following information adapted from the liner notes of Heartthrob:[7]

Locations
  • Recorded and engineered at Echo Studio, Los Angeles, California; drums recorded at EastWest Studios, Hollywood, California
  • Mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios, Los Angeles, California
  • Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, California.
Personnel

Charts and certifications

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Canada April 24, 2013 Digital download Vapor,
Warner Bros. Records
Ireland[50] June 7, 2013
United Kingdom[51]

References

  1. ^ a b Morey, Pete. "The Radio 2 Top 20: Tegan and Sara are first twins to top the chart)". CBC Music. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  2. ^ Quin, Tegan (November 30, 2011). "Post Turkey Coma Dispatch". teganandsara.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d Trunick, Austin (January 22, 2013). "Track-by-Track: Tegan and Sara's Heartthrob Part Two". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  4. ^
    Warner Bros. Records. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on November 4, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  5. Hearst Corporation
    . Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  6. ^ "Tegan & Sara, I Was A Fool – Song Stories". NME TV. June 13, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Heartthrob (Media notes). Tegan and Sara. Vapor. 2013. 2-532232.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Viacom. Archived from the original
    on July 17, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "Tegan and Sara – I Was a Fool (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Naked in a Snowsuit Publishing. September 24, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Tegan & Sara "I Was A Fool" – 'Heartthrob': Track by Track". The Warner Sound. February 15, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  11. ^ Zaleski, Annie (January 29, 2013). "Tegan And Sara: Heartthrob". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  12. Buzz Media. Archived from the original
    on February 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  13. ^
    Consequence of Sound
    . Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  14. SpinMedia
    . Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Vallejo, Carolyn (January 2013). "ATP! Album Review: Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob". Alter the Press! SpinMedia. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  16. Spin Media
    . Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  17. ^ Sears, Stephen (January 29, 2013). "Tegan And Sara's 'Heartthrob': Album Review". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Nelson, Michael (April 18, 2013). "Tegan And Sara – "I Was A Fool" (Matthew Dear Remix)". Stereogum. SpinMedia. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  19. ^ Burrows, Marc (February 6, 2013). "Album Reviews: Tegan & Sara – Heartthrob". Drowned in Sound. Silentway. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  20. Pitchfork Media
    . Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  21. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 29, 2013). "Tegan and Sara, 'Heartthrob': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  22. Wolfgang's Vault
    . Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  23. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: May 18, 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  24. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: July 13, 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Tegan and Sara Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Tegan and Sara chart history: Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  27. ^ a b "CLUK Update 22.06.2013 (wk24)". UK Charts. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  28. ^ Quin (April 15, 2013). "I Was A Fool Tegan and Sara". Tegan and Sara. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  29. ^ Ableson, Joe (September 2012). "Tegan and Sara Perform Three New Songs Live In Vancouver". Alter The Press! SpinMedia. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  30. ^ McGovern, Kyle (February 1, 2013). "Watch Tegan and Sara Bring 'Heartthrob' Gems to 'Kimmel'". Spin. SpinMedia. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  31. ^ "Tegan + Sara – I Was A Fool (Live for Virgin Red Room)". Virgin Group. February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  32. ^ "Tegan & Sara perform "I Was a Fool" Live at Billboard Women In Music 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. January 17, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  33. ^ "Bridgit Mendler – I Was A Fool (Acoustic Cover)". Fanpop. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  34. ^ a b "Bridgit Mendler – I Was A Fool (Single)". Itemvn. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  35. ^ "Bridgit Mendler Covers I Was A Fool". Bring the Noite UK. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  36. ^ "Bridgit Mendler's Acoustic Version Of "I Was A Fool"". Dis411. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  37. ^ "BRIDGIT MENDLER covering Tegan and Sara's 'I Was A Fool'". Coup de Main Magazine. February 25, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  38. ^ "5 Things About Bridgit Mendler". Sugar Space. Archived from the original on August 3, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  39. ^ "Bridgit Mendler covers Tegan & Sara's I Was A Fool. Amazingly". 5thingsaboutpop. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  40. ^ "Bridgit Mendler Covers Tegan And Sara!". ontheteenbeat. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  41. ^ "Mendler on MTV Live UK". BridgitMendler.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  42. ^ "Indaba 'I Was A Fool' Remix Contest". teganandsara.com. May 21, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  43. ^ "Remix Tegan and Sara's "I Was a Fool" to win $750, be officially released, and be featured". Indaba Music. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ "I Was a Fool Remixed". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. September 30, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  45. ^ "Tegan and Sara Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  46. ^ "Tegan and Sara Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  47. ^ "Tegan and Sara Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  48. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. January 2, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  49. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Tegan and Sara – I Was a Fool". Music Canada.
  50. ^ "I Was a Fool – Single by Tegan and Sara (IE)". iTunes Store (IE). Apple. June 7, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  51. ^ "I Was a Fool – Single by Tegan and Sara (UK)". iTunes Store (UK). Apple. June 7, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.


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