Katie Herzig (born 6 March 1980 in California) is an American singer-songwr… Read Full Bio ↴Katie Herzig (born 6 March 1980 in California) is an American singer-songwriter whose songs have appeared often in movies, TV shows, and commercials. In 2007, she was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Country Performance for the song "Heaven's My Home," which she wrote with Ruby Amanfu and which was performed by The Duhks.

Born in California to a musical family, when she was one year old her family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado In college in the summer of 1997, Herzig formed the band Newcomers Home with Tim and Laurie Thornton and Andrew Jed. Two years later, Herzig released Weightless. She produced the album herself, recorded it at home using Pro Tools, and played most of the instruments: electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, keyboards, and percussion, in addition to her singing and songwriting. The song "Jack and Jill" appeared on the TV shows One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars, while several others appeared on Grey's Anatomy.

Her next album, Apple Tree (2008), was more pop-oriented. Her 2011 album was entitled The Waking Sleep. She then released Walk Through Walls (2014) and Moment of Bliss (2018).

Herzig has spent years playing festivals such as Bonnaroo and Summerfest and touring as a headliner and as support for Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, The Fray, and as a member of 10 out of Tenn. She has had her music licensed for innumerable film, TV and commercial uses. Including over 10 songs on Grey’s Anatomy and most recently her song “Lost and Found” was featured in the trailer for Disney's Saving Mr. Banks and in a commercial for Carnival Cruises. Herzig can be heard on RAC's EP with their song collaboration "We Belong," featured on KCRW. Herzig also co-produced songs on Ingrid Michaelson's 2014 Lights Out album, including her first single “Girls Chase Boys.”

Fool's Gold
Katie Herzig Lyrics

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From the time you said hello and what's your name
You were work of art playing me like a little game
Now you can break my heart and I will love you just the same

I can see through your eyes
Your fingers crossed by your side
But I need your little shiny lies

You promised the world and opened up your door
And the words you fed left me wanting more
Now I'm left here locked out looking for a key to score

I can see through your eyes
Your fingers crossed by your side
But I need your little shiny lies

Fools gold shining…

You can break my heart and I will want you just the same
I can see through your eyes
Your fingers crossed by your side
But I need your little shiny lies
You can break my heart and I will love you just the same
I can see through your eyes

Your fingers crossed by your side
But I need your little shiny lies

Overall Meaning

The song Fool's Gold by Katie Herzig portrays a situation where the singer understands that the person she is in a relationship with is playing games with her emotions, but despite this knowledge, she remains hopelessly in love with them. The singer describes the person as a "work of art playing [her] like a little game." This suggests that the person has fully mastered the art of manipulating others for their own benefit. Despite recognizing that the person is not totally honest with her, she reveals that she still needs their "little shiny lies." This may be because she is desperate to cling onto some form of perceived affection, even if it is based on falsehoods.

The chorus "Fools gold shining..." suggests that the relationship and the perceived affection are not real or authentic, but rather they are just a shimmering illusion. She understands that she is chasing something that appears to be valuable, but is ultimately worthless. In the end, the singer is aware that her partner can break her heart, but she will still want them just the same. This highlights the theme of heartbreak being an inevitable part of loving someone who is unworthy and dishonest.

Line by Line Meaning

From the time you said hello and what's your name
Since the first moment we met, you were already manipulating me.

You were work of art playing me like a little game
You were incredibly skilled in toying with my emotions and making it seem like a game to you.

Now you can break my heart and I will love you just the same
Despite knowing that you are not genuine, I am unable to stop loving you even if you cause me emotional pain.

I can see through your eyes
I am able to detect the lack of sincerity in your eyes.

Your fingers crossed by your side
Even though your words seem convincing, your body language gives away your deceitfulness.

But I need your little shiny lies
Even though I am aware of your deceitfulness, I still yearn for your flattery and compliments.

You promised the world and opened up your door
You lured me in with grand promises and invitations into your life.

And the words you fed left me wanting more
Your articulate words left me wanting more promises and sugarcoated words.

Now I'm left here locked out looking for a key to score
Now that I am unable to access your charm, I am searching for a way to reignite those feelings of temporary happiness.

Fools gold shining…
You are like a piece of fool's gold, alluring and captivating but ultimately worthless and deceptive.

You can break my heart and I will want you just the same
Even if you end up causing me heartbreak, I will still have a desire for you.

But I need your little shiny lies
I have an insatiable desire for your sweet words, even though I know they lack authenticity.

Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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