The Average White Band (AWB) is a soul and funk band formed in 1972 and is … Read Full Bio ↴The Average White Band (AWB) is a soul and funk band formed in 1972 and is widely regarded as one of the best in the history of music. The band consists of Cliff Lyons on alto sax, keyboards, and vocals, Rob Aries on keyboard and bass, Onnie McIntrye on guitar and vocals, Brent Carter on lead vocals, Alan Gorrie on lead vocals, bass, and guitar, Rocky Bryant on drums, and Fred "Freddy V" Vigdor on tenor sax, keyboards, and vocals.

Though best known for their instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength lies in their consistently accomplished songwriting, stretching across several gold-selling albums and multi-Grammy nominations for Atlantic Records. Despite their Scottish roots, the six-piece band developed their own "authentic" sound influenced by R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway, which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere.

Many of the band's cuts, such as "Cut The Cake" and "Let's Go 'Round Again," attracted chart action as hit singles, while album tracks like "Schoolboy Crush" and "Person to Person" became much-sampled "rare" grooves. Other tunes like "Cloudy," "A Love Of Your Own," and "Nothing You Can Do" stand alongside some of the finest soul album tracks ever recorded.

The current lineup of the band, with noted US musicians alongside founding members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to delight audiences and critics alike in its wide-ranging touring. The musical energy and trademark sound are remarkably true to the original, and with constant revisitation and re-workings of AWB's, and others' classics in the mix, it is no surprise that the Average White Band is now a multi-generational attraction and a perennial fixture with many of the top music venues.

Fool For You Anyway
Average White Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh baby, oh baby
I thought I could make it without you, you know that
But I found out, found out
I need somebody to wake up with me early in the morning
And I found out I need someone to fix my food
Take good care of me
I'm so lonely
See I'm lonely but I'm not lonely for anybody but you

And I gotta have it
I need your loving so bad
Woman I'm not ashamed, not ashamed to say I need your loving so bad
Oh girl, hmm mmmm
Well I miss you honey
A little more everyday
And I know if I kiss you, oh babe
You'd be coming back home to stay, yes you will
'Cos I know I was wrong, oh
But how long do I have to pay
Oh babe
Do you know you belong here beside me
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for you babe)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(Just a fool)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for you baby)
Well I cried for you so long
Tears ran down like rain
And I tried to be so strong, so strong
But I felt every bit of the pain
You know your love left a mark on me
I don't think it would fade away
(Fade away) Oh babe
I'll sit here and wait 'til you come home babe
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for you babe)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(Just a fool)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for you babe)
(Oh babe)
(Oh babe)
You know your love left a mark on me
I don't think it would fade away
(Fade away)
I'll sit here and wait 'til you come home honey
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for babe)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(Just a fool)
I'm a fool for you anyway
(I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool)
I can't help myself
(I'm a fool for you babe)
Honey I don't know what else
(I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool)
I'm a fool for you
(I'm a fool for you babe)
Oh baby, I'm a fool for you
(I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool)
I can come turn you on
(I'm a fool for you babe)
Sugar 'cos your love is strong
(I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool)
I'm a fool for you

(I'm a fool for you babe)
Oh baby I'm a fool

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Average White Band's song "Fool For You Anyway" tell a story of regret, loneliness, and longing for a lost love. The singer admits that he thought he could make it without his love, but he has realized that he needs someone to wake up with him in the morning and take care of him throughout the day. He confesses that he is not ashamed to say that he needs her love so bad and that he misses her more every day. He acknowledges that he made a mistake and asks how long he has to pay for it. He knows that they belong together and that he is a fool for her anyway.

Overall, the lyrics touch upon the universal themes of love, loss, and regret. They show that sometimes people make mistakes and take their loved ones for granted, but they can also realize their faults and try to make things right. The repetition of the lines "I'm a fool for you anyway" emphasizes the singer's unwavering love for his lost love and his desire to make amends.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh baby, oh baby I thought I could make it without you, you know that But I found out, found out
The singer thought they could manage without their partner, but they realized they couldn't.

I need somebody to wake up with me early in the morning And I found out I need someone to fix my food Take good care of me I'm so lonely
The singer realizes that being in a relationship means having someone to take care of them and share their daily life, and they feel lonely without that.

See I'm lonely but I'm not lonely for anybody but you And I gotta have it I need your loving so bad Woman I'm not ashamed, not ashamed to say I need your loving so bad
The singer is acknowledging that they specifically need their partner's love and attention, and they feel no shame in admitting that.

Well I miss you honey A little more everyday And I know if I kiss you, oh babe You'd be coming back home to stay, yes you will
The artist misses their partner more each day, and they believe that if they were able to show affection, it would convince their partner to come back to them.

'Cos I know I was wrong, oh But how long do I have to pay Oh babe Do you know you belong here beside me I'm a fool for you anyway
The artist recognizes they made a mistake and wants to make it right, but they aren't sure how long they have to make up for it. They also express that they see their partner as belonging beside them, and they are willing to do anything to make it work.

Well I cried for you so long Tears ran down like rain And I tried to be so strong, so strong But I felt every bit of the pain
The singer has been deeply upset since their partner left, and they tried to be strong for a long time but ultimately couldn't suppress their emotions.

You know your love left a mark on me I don't think it would fade away (Fade away) Oh babe I'll sit here and wait 'til you come home babe I'm a fool for you anyway
The singer acknowledges that their partner's love has had a lasting impact on them, and they are willing to wait for their partner to return even if it makes them look like a fool.

I can't help myself (I'm a fool for you babe) Honey I don't know what else (I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool) I'm a fool for you (I'm a fool for you babe)
The artist admits that they can't control their feelings for their partner, and they don't know what else to do except love them and be a fool for them.

Oh baby, I'm a fool for you (I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool) I can come turn you on (I'm a fool for you babe) Sugar 'cos your love is strong (I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool) I'm a fool for you (I'm a fool for you babe)
The artist expresses their passion for their partner and how their partner's love is irresistible to them.

Oh baby I'm a fool (I'm a fool for you, I'm just a fool)
The artist straightforwardly admits that they are a fool for their partner.

Writer(s): Michael L. Jones

Contributed by Joseph S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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