Released 1987 Length 3:57 | Recorded 1986 Label Tabu | |
Format CD single, cassette single, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl Genre Post-disco, dance-pop, R&B | ||
"Fake" is a song written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the first single from the singer's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). It is one of the artist's most recognizable signature songs, and a favorite of many O'Neal fans worldwide.
Contents
Meaning
The songs lyrics are a personal commentary, critical of a loudmouth - implied to be a groupie.
Release
The single was O'Neal's most successful song on both soul and pop charts. "Fake" went to number one on the Hot Black Singles chart for two weeks, and peaked at number twenty-five on the Hot 100. The single was also O'Neal's most successful single on the dance charts, peaking at number seven.
In popular culture
The song was later interpolated for Patti LaBelle's 1997 hit, "When You Talk About Love", repeating the "Patti Patti" refrain after the singer demands her background to say her name. The song was also a part of the Black Mirror episode "San Junipero". The main characters Kelly and Yorkie perform their first dance to this song at Tucker's, an 80's style club.
Track listing
- "Fake (Extended Version)" - 5:20
- "Fake (Edited Version)" - 3:11
- "Fake (Patty Mix)" - 3:10
- "Fake (A Cappella)" - 2:20
- "Fake (Instrumental)" - 4:35
- "Fake (Edited Version)" - 3:10
- "A Broken Heart Can Mend" - 3:40
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.