What Kind Of Fool
Barbra Streisand Lyrics


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There was a time when we were down and out
There was a place when we were starting over
We let the bough break
We let the heartache in
Who's sorry now

There was a world when we were standing still
And for a moment we were separated
And then you found him
You let the stranger in
Who's sorry now

Who's sorry now
What, what kind of fool (what kind of fool)
Tears it apart (tears it apart)
Leaving me pain and sorrow

Losing you now
Wonderin' why
Where will I be tomorrow

There was a time when we were down and out
There was a place when we were starting over
We let the bough break
We let the heartache in
Who's sorry now
Who's sorry now

What, what kind of fool (what kind of fool)
Tears it apart (tears it apart)
Leaving me pain and sorrow

Losing you now
Wondering why
Where will I be tomorrow

Was there a moment when I cut you down
Played around
What have I done
I only apologize
For being as they say, the last to know
It has to show
When someone is in your eyes

What kind of fool (what kind of fool)
Tears it apart
Leaving me pain and sorrow

What kind of fool
How can I win
Where will I be tomorrow
What, what
What, what, yeah
Don't leave me baby
Where will I go
Where will you be, what have I done?
Oh where will I be so, tell me why




Why why
What kind of fool

Overall Meaning

Barbra Streisand's song "What Kind of Fool" is a heartfelt ballad that talks about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The song is written in the form of a conversation between two former lovers who are questioning the reasons for their separation. The singer reflects on how they let the relationship deteriorate by allowing heartache to overcome them. They also note that they were once starting over but due to the interference of a stranger, the relationship ended. The chorus questions the kind of fool who would tear a relationship apart and cause pain and sorrow.


The singer then questions if they played a role in the break-up, trying to recall if they cut the other person down or played around. They apologize for their actions but acknowledge that they were the last to know that the relationship was falling apart. The song ends with the singer wondering how they can move on and win after losing their lover.


The lyrics to "What Kind of Fool" are a poignant representation of the emotional turmoil that comes with the end of a relationship. Streisand's soulful vocals and the emotional melody create a powerful message that relates to those who have experienced heartache.


Line by Line Meaning

There was a time when we were down and out
There was a time when we were in a difficult situation and struggling.


There was a place when we were starting over
There was a place where we had to begin all over again.


We let the bough break
We allowed our relationship to become fragile and weak.


We let the heartache in
We allowed ourselves to feel the pain and sadness of our situation.


Who's sorry now
Who is feeling regret for what happened?


There was a world when we were standing still
There was a time when we weren't making any progress in our relationship.


And for a moment we were separated
We were apart for a short period of time.


And then you found him
And then you met someone else.


You let the stranger in
You allowed this new person into your life and heart.


Who's sorry now
Who is feeling regret for what happened?


Who's sorry now
Who is feeling regret for what happened?


What, what kind of fool (what kind of fool)
What kind of foolish act was this?


Tears it apart (tears it apart)
Completely destroys it.


Leaving me pain and sorrow
Causing me to feel intense pain and sadness.


Losing you now
Losing our relationship now.


Wonderin' why
Wondering why this happened.


Where will I be tomorrow
What will my future be like without you?


There was a time when we were down and out
There was a time when we were in a difficult situation and struggling.


There was a place when we were starting over
There was a place where we had to begin all over again.


We let the bough break
We allowed our relationship to become fragile and weak.


We let the heartache in
We allowed ourselves to feel the pain and sadness of our situation.


Who's sorry now
Who is feeling regret for what happened?


Who's sorry now
Who is feeling regret for what happened?


What, what kind of fool (what kind of fool)
What kind of foolish act was this?


Tears it apart (tears it apart)
Completely destroys it.


Leaving me pain and sorrow
Causing me to feel intense pain and sadness.


Losing you now
Losing our relationship now.


Wondering why
Wondering why this happened.


Where will I be tomorrow
What will my future be like without you?


Was there a moment when I cut you down
Did I say or do something hurtful to you?


Played around
Did I cheat on you?


What have I done
What actions did I take to contribute to this situation?


I only apologize
I am sorry for my actions.


For being as they say, the last to know
I am apologizing for being oblivious to what was happening in our relationship.


It has to show
This situation has made it clear that I did not pay enough attention to you.


When someone is in your eyes
When you truly care for someone.


What kind of fool (what kind of fool)
What kind of foolish act was this?


Tears it apart
Completely destroys it.


Leaving me pain and sorrow
Causing me to feel intense pain and sadness.


What kind of fool
What kind of foolish act was this?


How can I win
How can I make things right?


Where will I be tomorrow
What will my future be like without you?


What, what
What kind of situation is this?


What, what, yeah
What a complicated situation this is.


Don't leave me baby
Please don't leave me.


Where will I go
What will I do without you?


Where will you be, what have I done?
Where will you go and why did this situation happen?


Oh where will I be so, tell me why
Where will I end up and why did this happen to us?


Why why
Why did our relationship fall apart?


What kind of fool
What kind of foolish act was this?




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albhy Galuten, Barry Gibb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

TheXynos7

here was a time when we were down and out
Il fut un temps où nous étions en bas et à l'extérieur
There was a place when we were starting over
Il y avait un endroit où nous avions commencé plus
We let the bough break
Nous laissons la pause branche
We let the heartache in
Nous avons laissé le chagrin d'amour dans
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
There was a world when we were standing still
Il y avait un monde où nous nous trouvions encore
And for a moment we were separated
Et pendant un moment nous avons été séparés
And then you found her
Et puis, vous l'avez trouvée
You let the stranger in
Vous laissez l'étranger dans
Together
Ensemble
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant
What , what kind of fool
Qu'est-ce, quel genre de fou
Tears it apart
Déchire
Leaving me pain and sorrow
Me laissant la douleur et le chagrin

[Barry:]
[Barry:]
Losing you now
Perdez-vous maintenant
Wonderin' why
Demandais pourquoi
Where will I be tomorrow
Où serai-je demain

Chorus
Chœur
Forever more that's what we are to be
Toujours plus c'est ce que nous voulons être
Without each other
Sans l'autre
We'll be remembering when...
Nous allons rappeler quand ...

[Both:]
[Les deux:]
There was a time when we were down and out
Il fut un temps où nous étions en bas et à l'extérieur
(We cried)
(Nous avons pleuré)
There was a place when we were starting over
Il y avait un endroit où nous avions commencé plus
(We lied)
(Nous avons menti)
We let the bough break
Nous laissons la pause branche
We let the heartache in
Nous avons laissé le chagrin d'amour dans
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant
Who's sorry now
Qui est désolé maintenant

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
What , what kind of fool
Qu'est-ce, quel genre de fou

[Barry:]
[Barry:]
What , what kind of fool
Qu'est-ce, quel genre de fou

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
Tears it apart
Déchire

[Barry:]
[Barry:]
Tears it apart
Déchire

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
Leaving me pain and sorrow
Me laissant la douleur et le chagrin

[Barry:]
[Barry:]
Oh! Losing you now
Oh! Perdez-vous maintenant
How can I win
Comment puis-je gagner
Where will I be tomorrow
Où serai-je demain

[Barbra:]
[Barbra:]
Was there a moment when I cut you down
Y at-il un moment où je vous réduisez
Played around
Joué autour
What have I done
Qu'ai-je fait
I only apologize
Je ne m'excuse
For being as they say, the last to know
Pour être comme on dit, le dernier à savoir
It has to show
Il doit faire preuve de
When someone is in your eyes
Quand quelqu'un est dans tes yeux

[Both:]
[Les deux:]
What, what kind of fool
Qu'est-ce, quel genre de fou
Tears it apart
Déchire
Leaving me pain and sorrow
Me laissant la douleur et le chagrin
Losing you now
Perdez-vous maintenant
Wondering why
Vous vous demandez pourquoi
Where will I be tomorrow
Où serai-je demain
What, what kind of fool
Qu'est-ce, quel genre de fou
Tears it apart
Déchire
Leaving me pain and sorrow
Me laissant la douleur et le chagrin
Losing you now
Perdez-vous maintenant
How can I win
Comment puis-je gagner
Where will I be tomorrow
Où serai-je demain



All comments from YouTube:

Daniel Burns

this song went to #10 on the pop charts in 1981!!!

Amr Azim

Even in 2021 - this is such a touching song. Tears falling from my eyes.

Dionisio Nadela

Immortal song of barry and Barbara

m 4everlovingbb

I can listen to this forever, and never get sick of it. I hum it to myself while i am cleaning, cooking, everything, and still come back here every night.,

Kevin M Kraft

Fantastic duet, wonderfully emotional song.

Everette Cooper

Beautiful song brings back memories

Luis Jiron

Love it

Cyn Lev

I can remember being in my bedroom at 11 y.o. singing this song at the top of my lungs. I've always loved this song and Guilty. Was it really 40+ years ago?? LoL

Dablkwid0w2008

omgosh YOU TOO...my mommy loved Barbra Streisand!

louis beijn

What voices ??? I have goosebumps !!

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