"Fools Gold" became the band's biggest commercial hit at the time. It was their first single to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the Top 75 for 14 weeks, peaking at #8.
The dance-oriented song showcased the rhythm section of Mani on bass and Reni on percussion. John Squire also shone on guitar with its various wah-wah pedal effects. Finally, Ian Brown sang the vocals in a unique whispered delivery. He would also perform with this technique for the track "Something's Burning". The bassline was "inspired" by "Know How" by Young MC, which is a sample from the Shaft theme song, performed by Isaac Hayes. The lyrics reference Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and the Marquis de Sade.
The drum track, though played by Reni, was recorded as he played in time to a sample of Bobby Byrd's rendition of "Hot Pants" at the insistence of Squire, angering the drummer at the apparent lack of belief in his talent. This was later said to have contributed to Reni leaving the band.
Despite its overwhelming success, the band did not intend to release "Fools Gold" as an A-side. Promo kits originally contained "What the World Is Waiting For" as the A-side, with "Fools Gold" on the B-side. When the press began raving about the song's funky bassline, the band was confused since "What the World Is Waiting For" was a simple guitar based track. The Roses realized the press was referring to "Fools Gold" and they promptly released the songs as a double A-side.
After Reni left the band in 1995, "Fools Gold" was essentially retired from the live set, since replacement Robbie Maddix could not emulate Reni's complex drumming loops.
In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Fools Gold" at number 32 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.
Australian radio station Triple J voted "Fools Gold" number 76 in its Triple J Hottest 100 of all time in July 2009.
As usual, the cover was designed by John Squire and it was called "'Double Dorsal Dopplegänger". It consisted of a painting of dolphins on a splattered background, photographed through a pane of frosted glass. The piece was exhibited at Squire's 2004 art exhibitions.
The "Fools Gold" music video featured The Stone Roses performing outdoors and walking across the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, one of Squire's favorite holiday spots.
Melody Maker magazine interview (9 December 1989): "The song 'Fools Gold' is about greed. Have you seen 'Treasure Of The Sierra Madre' with Humphrey Bogart ? Three geezers who are skint and they put their money together to get equipment to go looking for gold. Then they all betray each other. They all end up dead, don't they ? That's what the song is about. It's dead right man. But that song is history for us now."
* Run-D.M.C. sampled the bassline and drum beat of Fools Gold for their hit "What's It All About?" in 1990. Ian Brown eventually met Reverend Run in 1999 and in an interview with Q magazine Ian recalled their meeting: "I met Reverend Run and said to him 'You may not know me but you sampled us years ago' and then he did the riff from Fools Gold! Surreal!"
* Fools Gold was "mashed-up" with If Your Girl Only Knew by Aaliyah for the bootleg "If Only Your Girlfriend Was Stoned"
* A Fools Gold sample is used in the 1990 Bananarama song Only Your Love.
* Fools Gold is used in the computer games FIFA Football 2004 and NBA 2K8 as well as the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack, playing on Alternative station Radio X.
* A remix of the song appeared on the soundtrack for the BMX oriented video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
* The song appears in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels when Big Chris (Vinnie Jones) says "it's been emotional"
* A sample of the song appears in the loading screens of the tennis game Top Spin 3
Fools Gold
The Stone Roses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Winds on through the hills for fifteen days
The pack on my back is aching
The straps seem to cut me like a knife
Gold road's sure a long road
Winds on through the hills for fifteen days
The pack on my back is aching
I'm no clown, I won't back down, don't need you to tell me what's going down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
I'm standing alone, I'm watching you all, I'm seeing you sinking
I'm standing alone, you're weighing the gold, I'm watching you sinking
Fool's gold
These boots weren't made for walking
The marquis de sade never made no boots like these
Gold's just around the corner
Breakdown's coming up round the bend
Sometimes you have to try to get along dear
I know the truth and I know what you're thinking
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
I'm standing alone, I'm watching you all, I'm seeing you sinking
I'm standing alone, you're weighing the gold, I'm watching you sinking
Fool's gold
The Stone Roses' "Fools Gold" is a song with a deep and cryptic meaning. The song appears to be about the journey to find money or gold and the struggles that come with it. The first lines of the song, "Gold road's sure a long road, winds on through the hills for fifteen days," suggest that the road to riches is not an easy one. It may take a long time and may even involve physical pain and suffering, as the singer suggests in the next lines, "The pack on my back is aching, the straps seem to cut me like a knife."
As the song progresses, the singer seems to take a more cynical view of the pursuit of wealth, suggesting that it is ultimately a futile endeavor, as the gold he seeks turns out to be "fool's gold." He sings, "I'm standing alone, you're weighing the gold, I'm watching you sinking, fool's gold." This could be interpreted as a critique of the greed and materialism of society, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth is ultimately meaningless.
Line by Line Meaning
Gold road's sure a long road
The journey towards wealth can be arduous and never-ending.
Winds on through the hills for fifteen days
The path towards riches is full of twists and turns that can take a long time to navigate.
The pack on my back is aching
The burden of seeking wealth can cause physical and emotional pain.
The straps seem to cut me like a knife
The pressure to achieve success can hurt and leave deep marks.
I'm no clown, I won't back down, don't need you to tell me what's going down
I am serious about my quest for riches, and I will not give up or be influenced by others.
I'm standing alone, I'm watching you all, I'm seeing you sinking
I am observing those who are also seeking wealth, but I see them faltering and struggling.
You're weighing the gold
Others are more focused on the material rewards of their search for wealth than on its true meaning.
Fool's gold
What appears to be riches may be deceptive and not valuable at all.
These boots weren't made for walking
The journey towards riches requires more than just simple physical movement.
Gold's just around the corner
Success seems close, but it may still be far off or not what it seems.
Breakdown's coming up round the bend
Failure may be approaching, and it may be painful or traumatic.
Sometimes you have to try to get along dear
Cooperation and collaboration may be necessary to achieve success.
I know the truth and I know what you're thinking
I am aware of the reality of the situation and I can anticipate others' actions and motivations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ian George Brown, John Squire
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@newpianotutorials
New Stone Roses music coming TODAY !!!!!
@RaHeadD10
+New Piano Tutorials yeah its fucking shite
@Dewhirst2001
+rees croker thats a matter of opinion
@tomrb2297
+rees croker the song beautiful thing is amazing.
@68majortom
and you are easily pleased LEMON!!!!
@joolspirog
I have yet to hear any reformed group ever reproduce the standard of music they previously made. Same applies here although it’s each to their own
@iamdeepsea
Drummer: laying it down
guitarist: Perfect mix of wah wah and rhythm
singer: velvet delivery with haunting undertones
video director: let's go to the desert and walk around for miles, dying of thirst
@leemcbride9273
One of the best songs I've ever heard from one of the greatest British bands ever. I was 19 when this came out, now I'm 50 and this track is still the mutts nuts.
@Patrickjohnphotography
I agree. Very Mutt Nutty!
@craiggallagher7292
Same, but I am 55 (gulp). I think The Stone Roses were a nice segue to Oasis. I went nuts when Squire played with Oasis at Knebworth.