I would have liked a dollar every time I heard this song when it came out and I’m still a big fan of it. I hardly know any of the rest of Jewel’s discography, but this one always tugs at my heart-strings. I decided not to add the ineffectual official video below, rather a simple – song with lyrics video.
Foolish Games is just a gorgeously written ballad and the melody is to die for. It was released from her debut album Pieces of You in 1995. The song details the frustration and agony of knowing that the intensity of one’s love is not reciprocated by one’s lover.
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.
You took your coat off and stood in the rain
You’re always crazy like that
And I watched from my window
Always felt I was outside looking in on you
You’re always the mysterious one with
Dark eyes and careless hair
You were fashionably sensitive, but too cool to care
You stood in my doorway, with nothing to say
Besides some comment on the weather
Well, in case you failed to notice
In case you failed to see
This is my heart bleeding before you
This is me down on my knees
These foolish games are tearing me apart
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart
You’re breaking my heart
Everytime I hear, ‘You’re breaking my heart’, my eyes well up with tears. Jewel Kilcher was born 4 months after me in May 23, 1974. She grew up singing and yodeling as a duo with her father, a local musician. At age 15 she studied Operatic voice and performed in clubs and coffeehouses in San Diego. Based on media attention she received a record contract with Atlanta Records when she released her debut album. Jewel has also had endeavours in writing and acting; and in 1999 appeared in a supporting role in Ang Lee’s Western film Ride with the Devil (1999) which earned her critical acclaim.
References:
1. Foolish Games – wikipedia
2. Jewel – wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
When I worked in radio i had the chance to interview her. She was such a sweet person. She had just released her country album. She has such an interesting story. I’ve always enjoyed her voice. I had her yodel on the air….lol.
It’s wonderful you spoke to Jewel and communicated that experience here. Thank you so much for commenting.
She has a beautiful voice, and I loved this song too. One of my favorites from the 90s.
Yeh, it’s a gorgeous song and brilliantly written.. one of the best ballads of the 90s. I think Christina Perri’s Jar of Hearts is the best of the last decade.