Foolish Beat

"Foolish Beat"
"Foolish Beat"
Single by Debbie Gibson
from the album Out of the Blue
B-side	"Foolish Beat" (instrumental)
Released	March 25, 1988
Length	4:22
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter	Deborah Gibson
Producer	Deborah Gibson
Debbie Gibson singles chronology
Music video
	Foolish Beat on YouTube

"Foolish Beat" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, released as the fourth single from her debut album, Out of the Blue (1987), in March 1988. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 on June 25, 1988, giving Gibson the then-record for the youngest person to write, produce, and perform a number-one single entirely on her own, at age 17.^[1] The record was surpassed in 2007 by Soulja Boy with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)".^{[citation needed]} Gibson, however, remains the youngest female artist to hold the mark.

In the United Kingdom, "Foolish Beat" reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached the top five in Canada and Ireland and the top 10 in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The single was released in Japan as the B-side to "Out of the Blue" on Atlantic Japan 10SW-15. In 2010, Gibson re-recorded the song as an extra track for the Deluxe Edition release of the Japan-exclusive album Ms. Vocalist.

Critical reception

Pan-European magazine Music & Media described "Foolish Beat" as "a moody mid-tempo song, self written and self-produced in a classy, sophisticated style. After a few hearings it certainly sticks in your head."^[2]

Music video

In the music video for "Foolish Beat", Gibson typecasts herself as a young performer who recently broke up with her boyfriend; although she now regrets jilting him and wants to make amends, he brushes off her efforts to do so. The video ends with him debating about seeing her show having brought a bouquet of flowers for her; he drops the flowers in a trash can deciding that he did not want to get hurt again, then walks off into the distance.

The music video was shot in New York City and directed by Nick Willing, who directed music videos for bands such as Eurythmics, Bob Geldof, Swing Out Sister, and others. Some scenes were shot at South Street Seaport during Saint Patrick's Day in March 1988. The outfit Gibson wore belonged to her elder sister Michele.^[3]

Track listings

All tracks are written by Deborah Gibson.

7-inch and cassette single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Foolish Beat"	4:20
2.	"Fallen Angel" (Vocal)	3:42

The US 7-inch single sleeve lists the instrumental of "Foolish Beat" as the B-side, but "Fallen Angel" is on the label and pressed vinyl.

12-inch single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Foolish Beat" (extended mix)	6:46
2.	"Foolish Beat" (instrumental)	4:28
3.	"Only in My Dreams" (Dream House mix)	10:03
4.	"Medley: Out of the Blue/Shake Your Love/Only in My Dreams" (Debbie Gibson mega mix)	7:13

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1988)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[4]	60
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[5]	20
Canada (The Record)^[6]	1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[7]	2
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[8]	8
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[9]	28
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[10]	16
Ireland (IRMA)^[11]	5
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)^[12]	6
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[13]	8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[14]	7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[15]	29
Quebec (ADISQ)^[16]	1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[17]	26
Spain (AFYVE)^[18]	36
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[19]	10
UK Singles (OCC)^[20]	9
US Billboard Hot 100^[21]	1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[22]	8
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[23]	31
US Cash Box Top 100^[24]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1988)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[25]	94
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[26]	32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[27]	68
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[28]	75
US Billboard Hot 100^[29]	32

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Japan	March 25, 1988	Mini-CD	Atlantic	^[30]
United States	April 11, 1988	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl cassette		^{[citation needed]}
United Kingdom	June 27, 1988	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl		^[31]

Cover versions

Saho Nozaki recorded a Japanese-language cover of the song titled "Nemurenu Yoru wo Sugite" (眠れぬ夜を過ぎて; "After a Sleepless Night") in 1988.^[32]
Voices of Extreme recorded a metal cover of the song, with the music video featuring Gibson herself.^[33]^[34]

References

^ Trust, Gary (June 25, 2014). "Rewinding The Charts: In 1988, Debbie Gibson Bopped To The Top". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. July 23, 1988. p. 11. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
^ Helling, Steve (August 18, 2017). "Debbie Gibson Shares 30 Facts About Herself". People. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
^ Scott, Gavin. "This Week In 1988: August 14, 1988". Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
^ "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8545." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8571." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 32. August 6, 1988. p. 19. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Debbie Gibson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 89. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Foolish Beat". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Radio Luxembourg Singles". umdmusic.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. June 18, 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
^ "SA Singles Charts". Retrieved November 13, 2024.
^ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^ "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
^ "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
^ "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1988" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
^ "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. December 24, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1988" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
^ "デボラ・ギブソン | フーリッシュ・ビート" [Debbie Gibson | Foolish Beat] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
^ "New Singles". Music Week. June 25, 1988. p. 14.
^ "眠れぬ夜を過ぎて" at MusicBrainz
^ Petro, Larry (June 25, 2018). "Voices of Extreme "Foolish Beat"". KNAC. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ "Voices of Extreme "Foolish Beat" Official Video with special guest appearance by Debbie Gibson". LoudHacker. July 25, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

External links

"Foolish Beat" at Discogs (list of releases)

[1] Trust, Gary (June 25, 2014). "Rewinding The Charts: In 1988, Debbie Gibson Bopped To The Top". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.

[2] "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. July 23, 1988. p. 11. Retrieved July 19, 2022.

[PeopleMag-3] Helling, Steve (August 18, 2017). "Debbie Gibson Shares 30 Facts About Herself". People. Retrieved February 26, 2021.

[4] Scott, Gavin. "This Week In 1988: August 14, 1988". Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.

[sc_Flanders_Debbie_Gibson-5] "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[6] Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-7] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8545." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2018.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-8] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8571." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2018.

[9] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 32. August 6, 1988. p. 19. Retrieved August 28, 2020.

[10] Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Debbie Gibson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 89. Retrieved June 25, 2022.

[sc_Ireland2_Debbie_Gibson-11] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Foolish Beat". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[12] "Radio Luxembourg Singles". umdmusic.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[sc_Dutch40_-13] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[sc_Dutch100_Debbie_Gibson-14] "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[sc_New_Zealand_Debbie_Gibson-15] "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[16] "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. June 18, 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2025.

[17] "SA Singles Charts". Retrieved November 13, 2024.

[18] Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Switzerland_Debbie_Gibson-19] "Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[sc_UK_Debbie_Gibson-20] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Debbie_Gibson-21] "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Debbie_Gibson-22] "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.

[sc_Billboarddancesales_Debbie_Gibson-23] "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2025.

[Cash_Box-24] Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.

[25] "Jaaroverzichten 1988" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

[26] "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. December 24, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2019.

[27] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

[28] "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1988" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

[29] "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.

[30] "デボラ・ギブソン | フーリッシュ・ビート" [Debbie Gibson | Foolish Beat] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 28, 2025.

[31] "New Singles". Music Week. June 25, 1988. p. 14.

[32] "眠れぬ夜を過ぎて" at MusicBrainz

[33] Petro, Larry (June 25, 2018). "Voices of Extreme "Foolish Beat"". KNAC. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

[34] "Voices of Extreme "Foolish Beat" Official Video with special guest appearance by Debbie Gibson". LoudHacker. July 25, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

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v t e Debbie Gibson
Discography
Studio albums	Out of the Blue (1987) Electric Youth (1989) Anything Is Possible (1990) Body, Mind, Soul (1993) Think with Your Heart (1995) Deborah (1997) M.Y.O.B. (2001) Colored Lights: The Broadway Album (2003) Ms. Vocalist (2010) The Body Remembers (2021) Winterlicious (2022)
Compilation albums	Greatest Hits (1995) We Could Be Together (2017)
Singles	"Only in My Dreams" (1986) "Shake Your Love" (1987) "Out of the Blue" (1987) "Foolish Beat" (1988) "Staying Together" (1988) "Lost in Your Eyes" (1989) "Electric Youth" (1989) "No More Rhyme" (1989) "We Could Be Together" (1989) "Without You" (1990) "Anything Is Possible" (1990) "One Step Ahead" (1991) "Losin' Myself" (1993) "Shock Your Mama" (1993) "You're the One That I Want" (1993) "For Better or Worse" (1995) "Only in My Dreams 1998" (1998) "Girls Night Out" (2019)
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