I Was a Fool

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"I Was a Fool"
Song

"I Was a Fool" is a song performed by Canadian duo Tegan and Sara. The song was written by Tegan Quin with contributions from Sara Quin for their seventh studio album, Heartthrob. The song was released as the second single from the album on April 24, 2013. It is an indie pop song which takes the form of a piano ballad. "I Was a Fool" peaked at nineteen on Canadian Hot 100 and number 1 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.

Lyrics and composition

Tegan talked about "I Was a Fool" during the Heartthrob Track-by-Track video series, stating "The lyrical content of the song is the idea that I repeatedly packed my bags but I didn't leave, I stood still—that relationships like mine don't get fixed. That made me a fool."[2] Tegan also told NME, "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."[3]

Chart performance

The song peaked nineteen on Canadian Hot 100 and number 1 on CBC Radio 2 Top 20, making Tegan and Sara the first twins in history to take the top spot on the chart.[1] It also peaked at eighteen at the Ukrainian FDR Charts.[4] In the United Kingdom, "I Was a Fool" peaked at number 143, their first single to chart in the country.[5]

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[6] is shown crying, looking at a painting signed "Sid" as well as turning her phone over after receiving a call from the same woman, whose name is revealed to be Sidney. Sara is seen singing on a balcony and seated in a room behind the woman, who goes through a box of letters one by one and throws them into a fire. 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.

Track listing

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

Charts and certifications

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Canada April 24, 2013 Digital download Vapor, Warner Bros. Records
Ireland[10] June 7, 2013
United Kingdom[11]

Bridgit Mendler version

"I Was a Fool"
Song

"I Was a Fool" is a song by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler.[13] It was released on February 20, 2013 on Mendler's official YouTube channel and on social networking services.[12][14] Mendler said she decided to record the song after spending weeks singing it nonstop.[15]

Music video

In February, Mendler released the music video on her official YouTube channel. In the video she sings on an old stage with great curtains in the background. A guitarist and a keyboardist accompany Mendler. The video is shot in black and white.[16]

Critical reception

Carl Smith of Sugar Space was positive about Mendler's cover and said he loved it, while also remarking that "Bridgit's given the tune an acoustic twist with a dramatic black and white video to match. There is literally nothing this girl cannot do."[17] Richard Dawson of 5 Things About Pop compared the cover to Mendler's own song "Hold On for Dear Love" and said that the version was lovely.[18] Writers for Teen Beat said they were falling in love with the song, and Mendler was very excited.[19]

Live performances

In May 2013 Mendler performed the song on MTV Live UK.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b Morey, Pete. "The Radio 2 Top 20: Tegan and Sara are first twins to top the chart)". article. music.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  2. ^ "Tegan & Sara "I Was A Fool" - 'Heartthrob': Track by Track". The Warner Sound. Feb 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  3. ^ "Tegan & Sara, I Was A Fool - Song Stories". NME TV. June 13, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  4. ^ a b "Ukrainian Chart". FDR. 2009-05-10. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  5. ^ a b "CHART: CLUK Update 22.06.2013 (wk24)". UK Charts. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  6. ^ Quin (April 15, 2013). "I Was A Fool Tegan and Sara". Tegan and Sara. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Tegan and Sara Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  8. ^ ds. "Gaon Charts > South Korea International Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  9. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Tegan and Sara – I Was a Fool". Music Canada.
  10. ^ "I Was a Fool - Single by Tegan and Sara (IE)". iTunes Store (IE). Apple. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
  11. ^ "I Was a Fool - Single by Tegan and Sara (UK)". iTunes Store (UK). Apple. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
  12. ^ a b "Bridgit Mendler - I Was A Fool (Single)". Itemvn. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  13. ^ "Bridgit Mendler - I Was A Fool (Acoustic Cover)". Fanpop. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "Bridgit Mendler Covers I Was A Fool". Bring the Noite UK. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  15. ^ "Bridgit Mendler's Acoustic Version Of "I Was A Fool"". Dis411. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  16. ^ "BRIDGIT MENDLER covering Tegan and Sara's 'I Was A Fool'". Coup de Main Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  17. ^ "5 Things About Bridgit Mendler". Sugar Space. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  18. ^ "Bridgit Mendler covers Tegan & Sara's I Was A Fool. Amazingly". 5thingsaboutpop. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  19. ^ "Bridgit Mendler Covers Tegan And Sara!". ontheteenbeat. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  20. ^ "Mendler on MTV Live UK". BridgitMendler.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
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