How Chris Isaak’s Sleeper Hit Became His Signature Song

The mere mention of Chris Isaak’s name brings to mind the lonesome guitar lick that opens his hit, “Wicked Game”. But Jimmy Wilsey’s dusty guitar figure could easily have been overlooked on a little-known record if it weren’t for an accidental discovery. I mention the instrumental piece because it has a lot to do with Isaak’s breakthrough and the success of “Wicked Game”.

A Surprise Treasure in a Film

“Wicked Game” appears on Isaak’s third studio LP, Heart Shaped World. But when the album arrived in 1989, it languished near the bottom of the Billboard 200. Then Isaak’s fortunes changed after Lee Chesnut, a music director at an Atlanta radio station, discovered “Wicked Game” in David Lynch’s 1990 film Wild At Heart.

“Each time I went back, I got more excited about this hypnotic instrumental song in the film. The movie had already stiffed, but I found the soundtrack and went hunting for the song,” Chesnut said.

“I was really surprised when I discovered that [the soundtrack album version] had this incredibly cool vocal by Chris Isaak,” he said. So Chesnut placed the song in constant rotation, and soon, Isaak’s album reached the Top 10.

The world was on fire, and no one could save me but you,
It’s strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you,
And I never dreamed that I’d lose somebody like you.

Unrequited Love

Isaak sings about an unrequited obsession. “No, I don’t wanna fall in love,” he sings, assuming this relationship will only end in heartbreak. He accuses the girl of exploiting his fascination. Yet, he can’t turn away.

What a wicked game you play, to make me feel this way,
What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you.

Both the song and its sultry music video became hits and remain Isaak’s defining works. It also takes us back to a time when a radio director or a DJ could break a song. Today, we are stuck with engagement-oriented algorithms that feed us what’s already popular. It’s the opposite of discovery.

Thankfully for Isaak, someone was actually listening.

Photo by C Brandon/Redferns