You took me up to heaven
When you took me in your arms
I was dazzled by your kisses
Blinded by your charms
I was lost, (I was lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
Good and lost, (Good and lost) in a Fool's Paradise

When you told me that you loved me
I gave my heart to you
And I wondered if there could be
Any truth in love so new
I was lost, (I was lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
Good and lost, (Good and lost) in a Fool's Paradise

The whole world was my kingdom
And your love the gem in my crown
Then I saw you glance at a new romance
And my love came tumbling down

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
And may never let me know
That you think I'm being foolish
Because I love you so
I'll still get lost, (I'll still get lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
Lost with you, (Lost with you) in a Fool's Paradise

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
And may never let me know
That you think I'm being foo-oo-oo-lish
Because I love you so
I'll still get lost, (I'll still get lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
Lost with you, (Lost with you) in a Fool's Paradise

Lost with you, (Lost with you) in a Fool's Paradise

Overall Meaning

Buddy Holly's song "Fool's Paradise" is a lament about falling in love and experiencing the elation and heartbreak that accompanies it. The lyrics describe how the singer is enamored with their lover, who takes them to "heaven" with their affections. They become so lost in their love that it feels like paradise, even though it may be foolish. However, this blissful state is shattered when they witness their partner glancing at another person, and they come tumbling down from their "kingdom."

The song's chorus repeats the phrase "in a Fool's Paradise" to emphasize the singer's state of mind. They know that their love may be foolish, but they cannot help being lost in it. The lyrics also suggest that the lover may not reciprocate the singer's feelings, as they are "coolish" and may not confess their true feelings. Despite this, the singer is willing to stay lost in their Fool's Paradise.

Overall, "Fool's Paradise" is a poignant expression of the highs and lows of falling in love, capturing the bittersweet emotions that come with such an experience.

Line by Line Meaning

You took me up to heaven
You made me feel incredibly happy and euphoric

When you took me in your arms
When you hugged me and held me close to your body

I was dazzled by your kisses
I was extremely impressed and overwhelmed by the way you kissed me

Blinded by your charms
I was so enchanted by your attractive qualities that I couldn't clearly see the reality of the situation

I was lost, (I was lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
I was completely caught up in a false sense of happiness and security

Good and lost, (Good and lost) in a Fool's Paradise
I was truly and completely lost in a world of delusion and fantasy

When you told me that you loved me
When you expressed your romantic feelings towards me

I gave my heart to you
I gave you my love and devotion

And I wondered if there could be
And I questioned whether or not it was possible

Any truth in love so new
If our love was genuine and real because it was so fresh and new

The whole world was my kingdom
I felt like I was on top of the world

And your love the gem in my crown
And your love was the most valuable and precious thing in my life

Then I saw you glance at a new romance
Then I noticed you looking at someone else in a romantic way

And my love came tumbling down
And my feelings of love and happiness quickly disappeared

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
Even if you show me indifference or discouragement

And may never let me know
And perhaps you will never tell me directly

That you think I'm being foolish
That you believe I am acting in a silly or stupid way

Because I love you so
Because I care for you deeply

I'll still get lost, (I'll still get lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
I will still be misled by my own delusions and continue to believe in something that may not be true

Lost with you, (Lost with you) in a Fool's Paradise
I am trapped in this false reality of love and happiness with you

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
Even if you show me indifference or discouragement

And may never let me know
And perhaps you will never tell me directly

That you think I'm being foo-oo-oo-lish
That you believe I am acting in a silly or stupid way

Because I love you so
Because I care for you deeply

I'll still get lost, (I'll still get lost) in a Fool's Paradise (Fool's Paradise)
I will still be misled by my own delusions and continue to believe in something that may not be true

Lost with you, (Lost with you) in a Fool's Paradise
I am trapped in this false reality of love and happiness with you

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SONNY LE GLAIRE, HORACE LINSLEY, NORMAN PETTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@enrobhcit

4y↑21

@monika123870

Ricky Nelson
Buddy Holly
Eddie Chorcan
The every brothers
Richite Valens
Little Richard
Gene Vincent
Carl Perkins
Bob Luman
Cliff Richard
Conway twitty
Wanda Jackson
Paul McCartney
Brian sterzer
Stevens Shakin
Chuck Berry.

@foggymountainmusic3468

4y↑2

An interesting fact:

look almost just like him. I’m from Texas, have a bit of a similar voice, and play guitar and some other instruments. I remember singing a while ago and my parents and everybody said I reminded them of Buddy Holly. Then my parents looked at my family tree. There he was. On my family tree. I’m also same religion as him. I’m a baptist he was too. And I realized that my father looked like buddy too. I am happy to be related to him. I impersonate him

Some information about Buddy Holly:

Buddy Holly was only 22 when he died and sang since he was around 13. He was in a country and western duo with bob Montgomery for a while then he joined the crickets in late 1957. They had good songs together, such as, Oh Boy!, Peggy Sue, That’ll be the day, Everyday, and words of love. He was no doubt great at a lot. I don’t like him because he’s my relative, I like him because he has talent. I was a fan of him before I figured out I was related to him. But his band was mainly friends but he had his 3rd cousin by marriage join. Niki Sullivan was in there but then quit because he wasn’t a fan of the traveling. Then it was stuck with Buddy Holly, Joe B Mauldin, and Jerry Allison. Then the crickets got in a argument because Buddy wanted to record in New York. But Jerry and joe wanted to stay in Clovis New Mexico. Also Joe and Jerry were drinking a little bit. Then Buddy on a tour that took his life along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Maria Elena Holly had a miscarriage and lost the baby. She was devastated and she never remarried again. February 3rd 1959 was then nicknamed The Day The Music Died. And there is some theories that Buddy shot The Big Bopper but there was no way it was possible for Buddy, Ritchie, or The Big Bopper to live. The last thing I want to say is....

R.I.P

@enrobhcit

4y↑4

You took me up to heaven
When you took me in your arms
I was dazzled by your kisses
Blinded by your charms
I was lost, in a Fool's Paradise
Good and lost, in a Fool's Paradise

When you told me that you loved me
I gave my heart to you
And I wondered if there could be
Any truth in love so new
I was lost, in a Fool's Paradise
Good and lost, in a Fool's Paradise

The whole world was my kingdom
And your love the gem in my crown
Then I saw you glance at a new romance
And my love came tumbling down

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
And may never let me know
That you think I'm being foolish
Because I love you so
I'll still get lost, in a Fool's Paradise
Lost with you, in a Fool's Paradise

Though you treat me kind-a coolish
And may never let me know
That you think I'm being foo-oo-oo-lish
Because I love you so

I'll still get lost, in a Fool's Paradise
Lost with you, in a Fool's Paradise
Lost with you, in a Fool's Paradise

All comments from YouTube:

@auroratorres7873

14w↑1

How I love Buddy Holly. He was such a great singer/song writer. He left the world much too soon. He had so many more beautiful and memorable songs to compose and perform. May he forever rest in peace.

@pamdaviding9341

4y↑14

I’m Buddy’s biggest fan. Sang all his songs throughout high school. Now I’ m pushing 76!

@Tonetwisters

Right there with you, Miss Pam. I remember listening to "Piggy Sue" on my Red Rocket transistor radio and loving it.

@joline2730

1y↑1

I AM HIS BIGGEST FAN ... 🤣🤣🤣😁😁

@bbqlips

19w

I right there with you...Buddy Holly rules!

@chrissakal532

2y↑2

63 years later and some of us still remember..

@christopherscott5499

1y↑5

A truly UNIQUE sound. He definitely had the Midas touch. THANK YOU GOD...and Buddy

@martinkent333

38w

The plane crashed cuz it turned to gold and was too heavy? Zowie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@larrybrown3207

8y↑42

He was one of a kind..I'm 74 and he has never been more than a block away my whole life. Loved his voice and I understand why he played the Apollo. He also gave me the fender guitar to hang with.

@hirdy6

8y↑3

Sadly it would seem Larry is full of shit.

@maxwelter9545

7y↑3

He's totally mine too.

@peterhaynes8258

7y↑4

nice one larry, wish i could have been there aswell mate, but one consolation is buddy, ritchie and jp are still going strong with thier music and i think they will still be going strong for at least another 60 to 70 years mayby longer than that because a huge number of young kids love thier music aswell,RIP, BUDDY, RITCHIE and JP,

@notlob23

My dad introduced me to Buddy.Hes 76, the same as you with the guitars👌

@notlob23

he also has an EP signed by the Crickets when they played at the Talk of the North in Eccles, Manchester

2 More Replies...

@no-oneman.4140

10w↑1

Simply tremendous.

@MyMy-zi7yv

3y↑10

He was soooooooooooooo great, he was oozing with talent, he changed music although probably not given the credit. Damn, was he great!!!!!

@electraruby4078

49w

His genius is recognised by other musicians.They KNOW how special he was.

@andrewbrowning9755

3y↑2

I discovered Buddy in the mid 70,s when I was growing up and thinking 70's music was not for me so I looked back to late 50,s early 60's music and thinking this is great and still do

@hollyfanatic8686

4y↑20

Boy oh boy could he sing? No doubt about it! Perfect pitch! Even when he gets a frog in his voice on some recordings it still sounds great👌

@martinkent333

38w

3 chord Mozart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@dudeofwaybackwhen3878

2y↑1

some concepts are timeless. I know exactly of what buddy was speaking.

@JoelCraike

2y↑2

My favourite song of all time

@jf5-mars334

5y↑4

I discovered song's of Buddy Holly about less than a year ago . I am an artist and i can appreciate the good music when i heard it . Let me tell you something, when i heard Buddy Holly music , it hit me hard , its sooo good , so much talent , it goes on top of my favorite music to listend now . He is one of the greatest of all time , and thanks to him , we had the beatle , all of the beatle stuff is inspired by the cricket , even the name john lenon choose refer to the cricket (2 meaning for cricket ;sport and bug, 2 meaning for beetle ; car and bug , but john decided to change to ''beatles'' for some reason)

@darrylpreston7632

11y↑3

I agree with everything that you, and Amy Lee, had to say. I would just like to add a comment made so often by people who knew Buddy: He had the pleasant, unassuming personality of a completely secure man. He saw no need to impress, or to 'put down' others. He was quietly confident in his music and his future. Elvis, for whatever reason, never possessed the same level of security, and that eventually destroyed him.

@electraruby4078

49w

I rate buddy above the great Elvis even.And Elvis was great!

@akgwatts

12y↑2

Buddy, we were all lost in a fools paradise when you were around........we didn't know about it until you left. You were the Greatest!

@christopherscott5499

1y↑2

Absolutely awesome when you consider that the pianist is Norman Petty's wife, just a session player...jamming with the boys.

@JLC021986

11y↑2

RIP 54 years later. This song, and many others were so influential that even a Bonanza 35 could not stop them. This has always been my favorite song (if forced to choose a favorite Buddy song) because, at least IMHO, reflects the versatility and the development of Buddy from his earlier rockabilly days. It was a bridge from the Oh Boy! phase to the NY phase. All in all, it is simply astonishing to think of what Buddy could have done had Peterson been qualified to pilot that plane at that time.

@enrobhcit

4y↑21

@earlvillar2815

2y↑1

Thank u for the lyrics

@cathyshaw1227

4y↑4

Buddy, you simply were the best, so young, so talented, you are truly loved and missed.

@dagmarroberts216

4y↑3

Very sweet song... Love the addition of the piano in this song. So sad he went on that plane ride....

@wxdude7036

6y↑49

The one and only Buddy Holly

@chantaldeltour4559

6y↑41

Buddy Holly forever 🕶🎸🎼 RIP 😍

@monika123870

@drieg59

14y↑3

Had this 45 as a kid. This was the "B" side to "Think it Over" but this tune really sent me (old timer's expression) the first time I heard it. It was really unusual to hear a piano, rather than guitar driven song from Buddy. Well done Vi Petty (piano player) this really had a fabulous vibe.

@juneconyard4328

7y↑21

Heard him one day at 16 years old - sold forever - 72 now x

@tristramgordon8252

7y↑2

You and me both, I was 13, I think

@romber58

14y↑2

This lyric is so appropriate to me at this time.Thank god for poets,and the fact that it is an upbeat song is so clever and good.

@marciobola4811

4y↑5

Buddy Holly forever!!!! 2020

@Tricker-the-licker

4y↑2

Truly an amazing individual, If He was not stolen from us so soon.
The Beatles, Hell even Elvis Presley would of never stood a fucking chance

@gerardvanleeuwen9456

6y↑6

This song comin''s up to my mind for the last 2 weeks, so time to watch it at YT again,, and read some reactions, interesting, Thx YT, Thx Buddy for such a lot of fine Music !!

@petertrimnell3017

33w

Fab buddy lve been a fan since1960

@davidhorrigan2404

6y↑2

absolutely without a peer. For some reason I started to sing this song in the shower this morning.

@kevincasson2289

I love him too bits!! Forget Beatles, Holly and Crickets, bless them!!😊

@jeffstober5527

4y↑3

The great Buddy Holly!!

@joegongora2200

6y↑7

I remember when this song was on one of the albums. That I had on Buddy Holly. He also experimented with sound. Also knew about recording songs. He accomplished a lot in such a short period of time. In 6m he had 9 top ten smash hits. He contributed plenty to Rock & Pop music. He was ahead of his time even though he died before his time.

@martinkent333

38w

Payola, Cupcake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@TheSilvergold45

13y↑2

ONE OF MY FAVS BY BUDDY.. THIS REALLY IS A DARN GOOD SONG.. I LOVE TO SING THIS IN KARAOKE AND I DO..

@cheerydavie

16y↑1

Buddy was my hero as young boy..still is love Buddy's sound never be another thanks for posting this

@TheLuckyman1999

13y↑2

the great buddy holly fools paradise was one of his best!

@axelbodin3089

4y↑1

Nice song.

@mickbrod1

6y↑27

great artist if he was alive today he would be disappointed with the state of the music today.

@ybc.a2112

@rtotalminer fax

@geraldlewis2229

Old music is some what better than some of Too days Music as Long it's got A message in perspective

@johnbaker3920

2y↑1

One of the first songs I ever learned .what a song!

@foggymountainmusic3468

4y↑2

@FaZe-Ghost1

3y↑1

Buddy holly didn't shoot the big bopper if you heard bopper was sitting in the right side of the plane and when it was crashing bopper side were flaming first so how could he have shot him and buddy and the big bopper were such good friends to each other

@foggymountainmusic3468

3y↑2

@BeastGamer I said it’s a THEORY. then I said “but these was no way it was possible for any of them to live to shoot each other.” I guess you probably didn’t get what I said

@1979mattant

14y↑2

Love Buddy, Brilliat song!!

@geraldlewis432

2y↑1

Like This Wonder Full Gem

@mikeyousofine

14y↑1

Thank you Nancy for this one. One of the greatest singers of his era. Thank you buddyfan57 for posting

@charlesmays2775

10y↑19

Read the bios and you'll see he was 5'11 and a great guitarist.
What a great song writer.

@GarfieldChunks

7y↑3

He was 6"0

@alexarolasgarcia1747

6y↑2

Esta buena canción la compuso BUDDY HOLLY y la canto y la publico en el año 1958

@felixbautista

16y↑3

Thanks for finally posting this nostalgic song.. reminding my of my younger days.

@jeanetteupchurch5617

3y↑3

Love it. Thanks.

@JLC021986

11y↑8

For all the fame of Elvis, his influence pales beside Buddy's. Buddy did more for R&R: experimenting with overdubbing, timbre, and meter, taking R&R to new markets, & creating the singer-songwriter phenomenon, than Elvis or anyone else. An old bus, sub-zero temperatures, a poorly-planned tour, and a fortuitous turn of events at the Mason City Airport, could never bury all that. BTW, every rock fan should go to at least 1 Winter Dance Party in their lifetime; the Surf is where history was made.

@biggerthanacadillac

14y↑3

@drieg59 Amen to that..Buddy's gloriously UNIQUE voice with SUCH wistful lyrics; beautiful. This song ~ as with SO many of Buddy's masterpieces ~ ALWAYS 'chokes me up'; 'we' were SO very fortunate to have him as 'our voice' way back then, SO fortunate that I feel truly sorry for those who weren't part of the MAGIC of the late 50's..and then 3/2/59 the AWFUL day the music died. Norm. & Vi. [NorVaJak] had MUCH to answer for but they did Buddy justice too as did Geo. Martin to Beatles later.

@JamesTKirkCobain

11y↑31

And just think: His record career lasted a year and a half.

@haysfordays

7y↑9

Totally insane. He was a songwriting machine.

@wxdude7036

6y↑4

Truly epic when you think of it. Imagine if he had lived...oh the songs.

@Leo-lr4eq

Wow, I never thought of that. So touching

@suzannarobinson4726

4y↑1

And here i am in 2020 still loving his happy lovely music. What a loss.

@strahinjagov

Only three albums 😐

1 More Replies...

@happyolddude

1y↑1

Buddy is vocally backed here by The Roses. The Crickets never chirped on any of his music and that is a fact. There are at least another 4 versions of this track including without any backing at all. Another one spliced and another one without any vocal backing.

@JomarFelipe

Even Niki Sullivan?

@johnryan8173

3y↑1

A great imagination superb

@soulman4692

10y↑4

A great song from Buddy Holly !!!

@hirdy6

11y↑20

Buddy said, without Elvis he would never have made it, not denying Buddy's huge influence but I don't think you need to attempt to take anything away from Elvis. Besides you're not not comparing apples with apples, Presley opened a lot of doors. Sure he was no singer/songwriter or great guitarist like Buddy was, however I think most would agree his voice was far more versatile and his stage presence far superior to Buddy's. Not knocking Buddy who I love but they were different styles of artist.

@king77703

4y↑4

Very good comment.

@dariomitrovich9938

3y↑1

I can see your point, but i think theyre different type of singers, in my case, i prefer much more buddy than elvis, although i like elvis too. Sorry if my english is bad haha

@jimcrawford5039

When he was still alive the argument was who IS better? (where I lived anyway) for me it was always BUDDY HOLLY.

@Savoy209

5y↑1

Fantastic overdub

@Kislap314

11y↑2

Gosh, I love this song!

@vikingmanMN

13y↑3

Buddy was about 5ft 11 inches and only 145 lbs. A thin man with a powerful voice!!!!

@tylercoltsfan55

8y↑15

You will live on forever Buddy

@expresionesdelarte

12y↑1

i love thi song.thanks for posting.great! from japan

@bluedream428

6y↑4

I used to think Buddy was a nerd but after reading biographies about him...No way!
He was a tough customer. Buddy became friends with Marty Robbins and when Buddy did his
first recording session in Nashville he hung out at Marty's publishing company. Don't believe too much about the movie either.

@jimboy302

7y↑2

Classic song.

@leandrobiondo4515

5y↑1

Bonita Cancion..!!!

@PeterElbling

6y↑1

Love it. Was thinking about it earlier. Thanks so much for putting it up.

@theunknownvillager

5y↑1

Like it? you must be fuckin' nuts---it's nothing short of brilliant!

@62M.St.

13y↑1

killer audio/video on this great Buddy tune! I do a humble tribute version of "Rave On." Regards, '62 Mathew St. (Total Retro Rock)

@buddyhollylive

16y↑1

excellent choice - good post

@johnryan8173

6y↑7

I always thought buddy wrote this but he didn't but he did write most of his songs

@JakeWalshMusic

He did co-write it, though. Same as most of his songs, really...

@kevincasson2289

He wrote this like 99% of all his other songs. Fact!! Others put their name on his songs to rip him off fact!!

@electraruby4078

49w

Any thing from unique Buddy Holly is welcome. Thankyou.

@vincentreynolds2127

6y↑2

CLASSIC.

@kevincasson2289

6y↑1

Wow!! Wow!!! Wow!! Genius!! Wow!!wow!!!wow!!!

@Thegaminator348

4y↑2

1:25 is the better speed

@stevegross6094

8y↑9

i caught the "holly" bug when i was almost 12 in 2/59 at lindbergh school in kenmore,ny!

@juliusrubessa9176

3y↑2

Which we had more like him TODAY

@vincentreynolds934

9y↑4

Great.

@vincentreynolds934

1959????

@politog

Recorded Febr 13 1958, Released May 27 1958

@flavor72

16y↑1

hah! great one..

@5871248

13y↑1

I love the piano plankin. kinda like it from" rave on"

@crocks2871

fiftymerc sled that’s Norman Petty’s wife Vi on the piano

@matthewwilliams1722

8y↑2

im living in my fools paradise

@SteveWHU

13y

@jjeepster02 His born name was Holley yes. But his artist name changed to ''Holly''. Buddy was just a name he was called as a kid. His real name was Charles Hardin Holley. :)

@danglissa1

13y↑1

holly wasnt 6ft 3in but he was a big star, this is my favorite crickets record,and to think it was a b side,buddy like the beatles had no b sides, check out price and fame together and there version f this,its aok ,may be 30yrs old tho.

@stevegross6094

8y↑4

i still want to go to the SURF,before i croak!

@buddyfan57

16y↑2

no its from a cd and thanks for the comment

@judydaly5902

10y↑2

Pretty sure the second guitarist was Tommy Alsop.

@GarfieldChunks

7y↑2

There was 8 people with their phones upside down

@byebyelove1944

16y↑1

Thanks .... Peter

@buddyfan57

16y↑2

idk i read on a website that he was 5 ft and 11 and half inches tall but idk if that was true i think it is

@billhurt1978

5y↑1

All sin is forgiven by God. Jesus has buddy's to save you from hearing the rap that kills soul wait it's rap is godly and it's in YouTube buddy inspires this one it's a real warning to rap listen ers

@oopartuk

5y↑1

What is he doing at 44s in, looks like he's defying gravity?!

@1992kailash

10y↑2

i heard the don mclean version of this

@SteveWHU

13y↑1

@mickkey7 He sure was a tall teenager.

@buddyfan57

16y↑1

yes i think thats where i got this song from

@troya9693

7y↑2

like like like like likalikalikalikalika

@TomClarkSouthLondon

10y↑4

@ Paul Denton you are wrong mate, Buddy Holly was an awesome guitarist, but was clever enough to use others that he considered to be better than himself!

@heatherwells7659

7y↑1

Anyone know jack wells? He played guitar like buddy

@tezsmart9077

Well,...nobody seems to be interested, but I am,...any chance he is related to you??,..any chance to see/hear him anywhere

@theunknownvillager

5y↑1

oops....so, *thank you*!!! xxx

@jilliansmith5437

Have a listen to the out takes of this song.

@paulgila22

10y

actually buddy wasn't much of a guitar player,thats way towards the end he added another guitar player, who was a bit of a buddy look-alike. i agree with your other oints :)

@crocks2871

5y↑2

Paul Denton bullshit.. Buddy was one of the best Rock guitarists at that particular time, maybe not quite as good as Chuck Berry but Buddy absolutely had it and created his own style.