Alma Cogan was Britain's most successful female recording artist of the 195… Read Full Bio ↴Alma Cogan was Britain's most successful female recording artist of the 1950's. Born in London in 1932, her early recordings were mainly ballads, in the style of Anne Shelton. But by 1954, this was to all change. Her first major hit was "Bell Bottom Blues", and she scored her only number one in Britain with "Dreamboat" in 1956. Novelty songs were extremely popular at the time, and Alma recorded a number of these, including "I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango", "Twenty Tiny Fingers" and "Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo". She was known for the giggle in her voice when she sang and was affectinaltely known as The Girl With A Laugh In Her Voice. Her extravagant dresses were also a trademark. Her final UK hit was "Cowboy Jimmy Joe" in 1961, but was fast becoming an International Artist, with hits in Sweden, Germany, Israel and Japan - she had a number one hit in Japan with "Just Couldn't Resist Her With Her Pocket Transistor" which was at the top spot for over six months. As the novelty numbers were fast becoming old-fashioned by the start of the 1960s, she recorded a number of jazz standards and pop records, including five songs written by the Beatles - these recordings can be found on a number of CDs. Famed for her showbiz parties, with guests like Cary Grant, Noel Coward and the Beatles, she was never out of the public eye until ovarian cancer tragically cut her career short. She died on the 26th October 1966, aged just 34.

Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Alma Cogan Lyrics

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Why do fools fall in love?

Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love

Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love

Why do they fall in love

Love is a losing game
Love can be a shame
I know of a fool you see
That fool is me

Why do fools fall in love?

Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love

Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love

Why does my heart skip this crazy beat
Because it knows
It will reach defeat

Tell me why, tell me why
Why do fools fall in love?

Overall Meaning

Alma Cogan's song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" is a classic tune that delves into the bewildering nature of love. The first verse of the song inquires about the persistent question of why people, especially fools, fall in love. The second verse takes on a more poetic and metaphorical approach by comparing the joyous chirping of birds to the anticipation of lovers for the morning light.

The chorus of the song begins with a question about the origin of rain, which then segues into a repetition of the opening question about love. The second time that the question is posed it is accompanied by a slight tonal variation and an emphasis on "they," which could suggest a sense of exasperation or confusion. The final verse of the song turns inward as the singer acknowledges being in love despite the potential heartbreak that lies ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

Why do birds sing so gay
Why do birds sing with such happy melodies

And lovers await the break of day
Why do lovers eagerly anticipate the morning

Why do they fall in love
Why do people experience romantic love

Why does the rain fall from up above
Why does precipitation descend from the skies

Why do fools fall in love
Why do foolish people become infatuated with others

Why do they fall in love
Why do people experience romantic love

Love is a losing game
Romantic love often leads to heartbreak and disappointment

Love can be a shame
Romantic love can bring feelings of embarrassment or guilt

I know of a fool you see
I am aware of a foolish person

That fool is me
I am that foolish person

Why does my heart skip this crazy beat
Why does my heart flutter uncontrollably and irregularly