Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" | ||||
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Single by Chris Isaak | ||||
from the album Heart Shaped World | ||||
B-side | "Don't Make Me Dream About You" | |||
Released | July 14, 1989[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:46 | |||
Label | Reprise | |||
Songwriter(s) | Chris Isaak | |||
Producer(s) | Erik Jacobsen | |||
Chris Isaak singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Wicked Game" on YouTube |
"Wicked Game" is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak, released from his third album, Heart Shaped World (1989). Released as a single in July 1989, it became a sleeper hit after being featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who loved David Lynch films, began playing the song, and it quickly became an American top-10 hit in March 1991,[2] reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the single became a number-one hit in Belgium and reached the top 10 in several other nations.
"Wicked Game" has been covered by many other artists and been featured in numerous movies and television series and advertisements, so much so that Dazed magazine questioned whether it might be the most influential love song in modern music.[3] It has subsequently received retrospective critical acclaim, being listed in the 2010 book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and noted by Dave Marsh in an updated edition of his 1989 book The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.
Composition
[edit]The song is in B Dorian,[4] performed in what AllMusic describes as a "brooding, sorrowfully conflicted" tone.[5]
Although it is often interpreted as a ballad about unrequited love,[6][7] Isaak has said that the song was inspired by a telephone call from a woman seeking to arrange a hook-up and is about "what happens when you have a strong attraction to people that aren't necessarily good for you".[8] It was written shortly after the call.[9]
During the sessions for Isaak's third album, many different versions and arrangements of the song were made before the final version was completed. James Calvin Wilsey wrote and played the distinctive guitar lead using a Fender Stratocaster's vibrato arm;[10][11][12] both the bassline and drums were sampled from previous recordings of the song and looped.[13]
Critical reception
[edit]The Aberdeen Evening Express extolled the "haunting strains" of "Wicked Game."[14] Grant Walters of Albumism praised the song as a "pristine union of Isaak's aching vocal and the desolate wail of James Calvin Wilsey's '65 Stratocaster." He added, "Underneath, the brushed drum loop, simple bass line, and muted background vocals create a simmering atmospheric buzz."[12] Steve Huey of AllMusic described it as a "shimmering," "spare," "smoky," and "moody masterpiece."[15] Larry Flick from Billboard called it "[a] delicious treat."[16] Alaister Moughan from Dazed wrote, "Some songs are masterpieces, some represent moments in time, and others are simply good jams. Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" is all three."[17] Joe Rhodes from Entertainment Weekly stated that this is "perhaps the album's darkest mood piece," noting its "otherworldly" opening guitar line.[18] Pan-European magazine Music & Media described it as "[a] laid-back C&W tinged song featuring Isaak's Orbison-esque vocals."[19] Duncan Holland from Music Week felt that its "dexterity and panache is something rarely heard. The touches of Roy Orbison only make it stronger and given the right airplay, Isaak should score a significant, if unpredictable hit."[20] A reviewer from Sunday Life complimented it as "[a] brooding ballad, image-laden, and worthy of Roy Orbison in his heyday."[21]
Music videos
[edit]There are two different music videos for this song. The more well-known video was directed by Herb Ritts and shot in Hawaii at the short-lived Kamoamoa Beach in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The newly formed black-sand beach was created from lava from Kilauea volcano flowing into the ocean about a mile away. The beach was covered by lava not long after the video was shot. The video features supermodel Helena Christensen rolling and frolicking on the beach with Isaak. It was mostly filmed in black and white. Christensen is topless through most of the video, although her nudity is concealed by camera angles. In the middle of the video, Christensen is seen only in her black lace bra and panty; other times, she wears only a men's white brief. The video achieved heavy rotation on MTV and MTV Europe,[22][23] winning the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Male Video and Best Cinematography. It was ranked number 13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos", number four on VH1's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", number 73 on Rolling Stone magazine's "The 100 Top Music Videos", number one on Rolling Stone magazine's "The 30 Sexiest Music Videos of All Time", and number one on Fuse's "40 Sexiest Videos" in 2010.
Another video was commissioned for the Wild at Heart VHS release and was directed by David Lynch.[24][25] It features scenes of Lula (Laura Dern) and Sailor (Nicolas Cage) from the film, interspersed with black-and-white footage of Isaak and his band performing the song. This video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film.
Track listings
[edit]
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Personnel
[edit]- Chris Isaak – vocals, acoustic guitar
- James Calvin Wilsey – electric guitar, backing vocals
- Rowland Salley – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Kenney Dale Johnson – drums, backing vocals;
- Frank Martin – keyboards[13]
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
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Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[63] | Gold | 300,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[64] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[65] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[67] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Germany | July 14, 1989 | 7-inch vinyl | Reprise | [1] |
United Kingdom | November 12, 1990 |
|
London | [68] |
Other versions
[edit]HIM
[edit]"Wicked Game" | ||||
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Single by HIM | ||||
from the album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 and Razorblade Romance (UK and US releases) | ||||
Released | September 28, 1998 | |||
Genre | Gothic metal | |||
Length | 3:54 | |||
Label | BMG | |||
HIM singles chronology | ||||
|
The Finnish band HIM remade this song, first using it in their demo This Is Only the Beginning, then on their EP 666 Ways To Love: Prologue, followed by another recording of it on their first album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666, and again on the British and American versions of their second album Razorblade Romance. The last recording they made of it then reappeared on their compilation album And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004. "Wicked Game" became the band's breakthrough song in their native Finland.[69] Their version appeared on an episode of Smallville.
Track listings
[edit]
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Parra for Cuva
[edit]"Wicked Games" | ||||
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Single by Parra for Cuva featuring Anna Naklab | ||||
Released | October 14, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Length | 3:15 | |||
Label | Spinnin' Deep | |||
Parra for Cuva singles chronology | ||||
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Anna Naklab singles chronology | ||||
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In 2013, German house producer Parra for Cuva released a cover version that featured Anna Naklab. The single was re-titled as "Wicked Games" in plural. It was first released on Beatport worldwide as a digital download in August 2013, then a mainstream release as a digital download in France in October 2013 and in Germany on February 14, 2014. The song has charted in Australia, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Track listing
[edit]- "Wicked Games" (radio edit) – 3:15
- "Wicked Games" (original mix) – 5:58
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[85] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[86] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Stone Sour
[edit]On June 26, 2007, Stone Sour released a cover of the song on the special edition version of the album Come What(ever) May.[87] It was certified Gold by ARIA in 2024.[88]
Boy & Bear
[edit]Australian indie folk band Boy & Bear recorded a cover of this song which was released as a single on February 14, 2020[89] and was later included on their album Boy & Bear at Golden Retriever Studio. It was certified Gold by ARIA in 2023.[90]
Marcus & Martinus
In 2022, Norwegian dance-pop duo Marcus & Martinus released their version after performing it on Masked Singer Sweden. The song was later included on their album Unforgettable.[91]
Tenacious D
[edit]On June 1, 2023, American comedy rock duo Tenacious D released a cover of the song as a single, with an accompanying music video.[92]
Girls Aloud
[edit]In 2024, English-Irish girl group Girls Aloud released a cover of "Wicked Game" as part of a 20th anniversary reissue of their 2004 studio album What Will The Neighbours Say?[93] While the track was originally intended to serve as a lead single for their 2005 studio album Chemistry, it was scrapped in favor of the single "Long Hot Summer" and eventually excluded from the album upon its release.
Along with the two other songs released as part of the album's reissue, "Disco Bunny" and "Baby When You Go," the track is notable as the first posthumous release of material containing vocals from Girls Aloud member Sarah Harding, who died of breast cancer in 2021.[94]
Oceans of Slumber
[edit]In 2024, Texan heavy-metal band Oceans of Slumber released a cover of "Wicked Game" on their album Where Gods Fear to Speak.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Moughan, Alaister (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "'Wicked Game' sheet music". musicnotes.com. October 21, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Wicked Game – Chris Isaak". allmusic. Rovi Corp. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ Kim, Jae-Ha (April 21, 1991). "Chris Isaak finally wins success in wicked game". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ Goldstein, Patrick (February 17, 1991). "Isaak's 'Wicked Game' a Surprise Smash". L.A. Times. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Shares Intimate Details of "Wicked Game" Music Video". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Isaak : Songwriter Interviews". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "The Rise and Fall of James Calvin Wilsey". Rhythms.com.au. February 16, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chris Isaak". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Walters, Grant (June 10, 2019). "Chris Isaak's 'Heart Shaped World' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Classic Tracks: Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"". Mixonline.com. May 1, 2002. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ "Guitar man Chris strikes a chord". Aberdeen Evening Express. May 4, 1991. p.50.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Chris Isaak – Heart Shaped World". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ Flick, Larry (September 15, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 95. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ Moughan, Alaister (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ Rhodes, Joe (March 8, 1991). "Chris Isaak's on top". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. July 29, 1989. p. 13. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Holland, Duncan (November 3, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "Scoring Again In A Wicked Game". Sunday Life. February 3, 1991. p.24.
- ^ "The Clip List" (PDF). Billboard. February 2, 1991. p. 51. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "Station Reports > TV > MTV/London" (PDF). Music & Media. February 16, 1991. p. 16. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (July 3, 2012). "Watch: David Lynch Directed Alternate Video For Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"".
- ^ Dazed (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed.
- ^ Wicked Game (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1990. 7-19704.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (US cassette single cassette notes). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1990. 4-19704.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1989. 922 847-7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LON 279, 869 228-7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (UK cassette single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONCS 279, 869228 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONX 279, 869 229 1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (UK CD single liner notes). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONCD 279, 869 229 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (French CD single liner notes). Chris Isaak. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 9362-40182-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wicked Game (French cassette single sleeve). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1991. 7599-22847-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1455." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1482." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 11. March 16, 1991. p. 19. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wicked Game". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Chris Isaak" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
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- ^ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved November 23, 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved April 24, 2020 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Chris Isaak; 'Wicked Game')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
- ^ "New Singles". Music Week. November 10, 1990. p. 45.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music – Colin Larkin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958.
- ^ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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- ^ "Chart Track: Week 47, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
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- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Parra for Cuva ft Anna Naklab – Wicked Games". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
- ^ "Stone Sour: More Details Revealed About 'Come What(ever) May' Special-Edition Reissue". Blabbermouth.netuth.net. May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
- ^ "Wicked Game - Single by Boy & Bear". February 14, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "Album Review: 'Unforgettable' by Marcus & Martinus". June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Madarang, Charisma (June 2, 2023). "Tenacious D Unleash Cover of 'Wicked Game' in Glorious Video". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (March 11, 2024). "Girls Aloud Share Previously Unreleased Songs Featuring the Late Sarah Harding". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ "Girls Aloud release previously-unheard music with the late Sarah Harding's vocals". Official Charts. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- 1989 songs
- 1989 singles
- 1990 singles
- 1998 singles
- American folk rock songs
- Chris Isaak songs
- HIM (Finnish band) songs
- Il Divo songs
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video
- Music videos directed by Herb Ritts
- Music videos directed by David Lynch
- Black-and-white music videos
- Song recordings produced by Erik Jacobsen
- Bertelsmann Music Group singles
- Reprise Records singles
- Syco Music singles
- Spinnin' Records singles
- Songs written by Chris Isaak
- Country ballads
- 1980s ballads
- Songs about casual sex