Sentimental Fool
Lloyd Cole Lyrics
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Could you make mine straight absolute?
The more I fail the less I try
Ask not of me the reason why
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
Have I got a tale for you
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
The woman I love is not content
The life I made - it ain't what I meant
The space I'm in is filled with love
The state I'm in is pitiful
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
Have I got a tale for you
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
Have I got a tale for you...
But, when she calls my name
We're almost happy - she's almost like you
Yes, when she calls my name
We're almost there, man - she's almost like you
The longer I live the less I believe
And all I lost is all I need
The life I made is filled with regret
And I can't tell the half of it
The woman I love has lost her faith
And I just watch as she fades away
The space I'm in is filled with love
The shape I'm in ain't beautiful
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
Have I got a tale for you...
I`m draining the glass for you
Do you see my girl?
She's almost like you...
Lloyd Cole's "Sentimental Fool" reflects the universal paradox of having a heart full of love but knowing that life is short, rough, and can sometimes leave you unfulfilled. The opening couplet of "The more I learn the less I know, could you make mine straight absolute?" is a reminder that as we age and gain knowledge, the world seems more complicated, and certainty is rare. Cole's protagonist feels lost in life, and yet he is still driven by love, driven to search for meaning and fulfillment in his romantic and emotional connections.
The singer's central character flaw is a lack of alignment between his intentions and his actions; he speaks of "The life I made - it ain't what I meant," and "The life I made is filled with regret." The woman he loves has lost her faith, and he feels powerless to stop her from fading away. The space he occupies with love is precious, but his own state of being is pitiful, and the shape he is in isn't beautiful. Even so, when his lover calls his name, he finds comfort and a fleeting sense of happiness that almost resembles the fulfilment of his past.
Overall, Sentimental Fool is a poignant reflection on the human condition; it shows that even when things fall apart, our emotional connections sustain us, they provide us with hope and comfort in a world fraught with uncertainty, disaffectation, and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
The more I learn the less I know
Despite continuous learning, my knowledge seems to be reducing instead of increasing
Could you make mine straight absolute?
Can you make me understand everything and have a clear perspective?
The more I fail the less I try
As I encounter failures, I lose motivation to keep trying
Ask not of me the reason why
Please do not question me about the reason behind my actions
The woman I love is not content
My loved one is not satisfied with her life
The life I made - it ain't what I meant
The life I have created is not in line with my intentions
The space I'm in is filled with love
Although my immediate surroundings are filled with affection, my state of mind is not positive
The state I'm in is pitiful
I am in a pathetic emotional state
But, when she calls my name
However, when my beloved calls out to me
We're almost happy - she's almost like you
For a brief moment, we experience joy and my loved one seems almost like the person I desire
The longer I live the less I believe
As I age, my beliefs are dissipating
And all I lost is all I need
I realize that everything I lost is everything I required in life
The life I made is filled with regret
I am full of remorse due to the life I have created
And I can't tell the half of it
My sadness and remorse is beyond measure and I can't even explain half of it
The woman I love has lost her faith
My beloved has lost her belief in something
And I just watch as she fades away
I can't do anything but watch as she fades away
The shape I'm in ain't beautiful
I am in a bad physical and emotional shape
Oh, my Sentimental Fool
Oh, my dear emotional person
Have I got a tale for you...
I have a story to tell you
I'm draining the glass for you
I am pouring myself a drink for you
Do you see my girl?
Do you see the woman I am with?
She's almost like you...
She, to some extent, reminds me of you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
OkraJoe
Lloyd was a master of the old melancholy!
Big Buddha is Watching . . .
Lloyd really gets it with these lyrics.
The Gatsbys
always loved this song
Glyn
Closing music to Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing 23rd Sept. Wonderful series, wonderful sound track.
Julie Lygo
And what a brilliant track to end on. Whoever compiles the music for this life affirming, soul nourishing series is so in tune with the sentiments conveyed therein.
Clare Mccarron
Just seen that episode....perfect choice x
framodcole
Good song.
bonkey dollocks
The longer I live the less I believe
And all I lost is all I need
The life I made is filled with regret
And I can't tell the half of it
The woman I love has lost her faith
And I just watch as she fades away
Oh my god
Mark Hower
Before I heard this I thought he was covering Roxy Music. No matter.. Been a fan since Perfect Skin : 🐱