Foolish

Album: Ashanti (2002)
Charted: 4 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Ashanti keeps going back to a guy, even though he doesn't treat her right. She said this song is about "making mistakes in love."
  • Ashanti was all over the radio in early 2002. On February 23, her collaboration with Ja Rule, "Always On Time," went to #1 in the US and stayed for two weeks - that was her first single as a featured artist. On April 20, both her self-titled debut album and her solo single "Foolish" hit #1; the album stayed at the top for three weeks and the song remained for a remarkable 10.

    This same week, her duet with Fat Joe, "What's Luv?" went to #2. Additionally, Ashanti co-wrote another song that was wildly popular around this time: "Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez (featuring Ja Rule). On March 30, all four songs were in the Top 10:

    #1: "Ain't It Funny"
    #4: "Always On Time"
    #5: "What's Luv?"
    #9: "Foolish"

    This made Ashanti the first artist since The Beatles to have her first three singles chart in the Top 10 simultaneously.
  • Ashanti's record company offered stores a $2 rebate on every copy of this album sold the first two weeks it was released, which meant the CD was priced much lower than others. As a result, it went to #1, providing a great deal of publicity that made up for the rebate. This ploy made record companies examine their pricing, as CD prices kept going up while sales were going down.
  • The track is built around a keyboard sample from the 1983 DeBarge song, "Stay With Me." Notorious B.I.G. used the same sample on his hit "One More Chance." Mariah Carey also borrowed from "Stay With Me" on her 2008 track "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time."
  • Ashanti's self-titled debut album was released earlier than scheduled due to the immense success of this song.
  • Ashanti wrote this herself, as she did with all of her songs at the time. She feels that singing her own material allows her to inflect more emotion into her work.

Comments: 3

  • Brandy from Atlanta, Ga@Michelle, The guy who was in this video is also an Academy Award nominated actor.
  • Michelle from Anaheim, CaThe guy who was in the video for this was in jail once.
  • Danielle from Richmond, KyI used to love this song. I seriously listened to it over and over. But yea i love the song~!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.