Fools Gold/What The World Is Waiting For

"Fools Gold/What The World Is Waiting For" is the a non-album double A-side by The Stone Roses. It was released in the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Spain. "Fools Gold" and "What The World Is Waiting For" are also available on the compilation Turns Into Stone. "Fools Gold" is also available as the final track on the US release of The Stone Roses self-titled LP.

"Fools Gold" was arguably The Stone Roses biggest commercial hit. It was their first single to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the Top 75 for 14 weeks.

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 pedal effects. Finally, Ian Brown sang the vocals in a unique whispered delivery. He would also perform with this technique for the track "Something Burning".

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.

Reissues

"Fool's Gold" was reissued in 1995 with new remixes.

In 1999, a new imprint – Jive Electro – from Silvertone's parent label, Jive, re-issued a remix package, featuring remixes of "Fool's Gold" by Grooverider and Rabbit in the Moon as the lead tracks.

Cover Artwork

As usual, the cover was designed by John Squire and it was called "'Double Dorsal Dopplegänger".[1] 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 and can be viewed here.

Music Video

The "Fools Gold" music video was filmed at Lanzarote, Canary Islands, one of Squire's favorite vacation spots. It featured The Stone Roses performing outdoors and walking across the volcanic landscape.

Quotes

Melody Maker magazine interview (December 9 1989): "The song 'Fool's 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."

Track Listing

1989 Release

7": [Silvertone ORE 13]

1. "Fools Gold 4.15" (4:15)
2. "What the World Is Waiting For" (3:55)

12": [Silvertone ORE T 13]

1. "Fools Gold 9.53" (9:53)
2. "What the World Is Waiting For" (3:55)

CD: [Silvertone ORE CD 13]

1. "Fools Gold 9.53" (9:53)
2. "What the World Is Waiting For" (3:55)
3. "Fools Gold 4.15" (4:15)

CD: [Silvertone ORE CD Z 13]

1. "Fools Gold" (The Top Won Mix!) (10:03)
2. "Fools Gold" (The Bottom Won Mix!) (7:00)

1995 re-release

12": [Silvertone ORE T 71]

1. "Fools Gold 9.53" (9:53)
2. "Fools Gold (The Tall Paul Remix)" (7:21)
3. "Fools Gold (Cricklewood Ballroom Mix)" (4:16)

CD: [Silvertone ORE CD 71]

1. "Fools Gold 4.15" (4:15)
2. "Fools Gold 9.53" (9:53)
3. "Fools Gold (The Tall Paul Remix)" (7:21)
4. "Fools Gold (Cricklewood Ballroom Mix)" (4:16)

CS: [Silverton ORE C 71]

1. "Fools Gold 4.15" (4:15)
2. "Fools Gold (The Tall Paul Remix)" (7:21)

1999 re-release

12": [Jive Electro 0523092]

1. "Fools Gold (Grooverider's Mix)" (6:36)
2. "She Bangs the Drums (Kiss My Arse Mix)" (4:02)
3. "Fools Gold (Rabbit In the Moon's Message To The Majors)" (8:24)

CD: [Jive Electro 0523092]

1. "Fools Gold (Grooverider's Mix – Edit)" (4:30)
2. "Fools Gold (Rabbit In the Moon's Message To the Majors)" (8:24)
3. "She Bangs the Drums (Kiss My Arse Mix)" (4:02)