In 1958, Ben Nelson joined a doo wop group, The Five Crowns. Later that same year, The Drifters' manager fired the members of the group and replaced them with The Five Crowns, who had performed several engagements with The Drifters. He co-wrote the first hit by the new version of The Drifters, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). He also sang lead, using his birth name, on "Save the Last Dance for Me," a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Dance With Me," "This Magic Moment," "I Count the Tears," and other The Drifters hits.
In 1960 he left the group after failing to gain a salary increase and a fairer share of the group's royalties. At this point he assumed the more memorable stage name Ben E. King in preparation for a solo career. Remaining on Atlantic, King scored his first solo hit with the stylish, Latin-tinged ballad "Spanish Harlem" (1961). "Stand by Me" was his next recording. "Stand by Me", written by King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem" were named as two of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were both also given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
King's records continued to place well on the pop charts until 1963, when British pop bands began to dominate the popular music scene. His hits after 1963 were "What is Soul?" (1967), "Supernatural Thing, part 1" (1975), and the re-issue in 1986 of "Stand by Me" following the song's use as the theme music to the movie of the same name.
Fools Fall In Love
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fools give their hearts much too soon
Just play them two bars of Stardust
Just hang out one silly moon, oh, oh
They've got their love torches burning
When they should be playing it cool
I used to laugh but now I understand
Well, fools fall in love
Just like schoolgirls
Blinded by rose colored dreams
They build their castles on wishes
With only rainbows for beams, oh, oh
They're making plans for the future
When they should be right back in school
I used to laugh but now I understand
Shake the hand of a brand new fool
Oh, oh, they're making plans for the future
When they should be right back in school
I used to laugh but now I understand
Shake the hand of a brand new fool
The lyrics of "Fools Fall in Love" by Ben E. King and The Drifters capture the concept of love at first sight and the tendency of some individuals to rush into relationships without fully considering the consequences. The opening lines suggest that fools, in this context meaning naive people, easily and quickly fall in love without giving their hearts time to truly know someone. The reference to "two bars of Stardust" and "one silly moon" highlights the exaggerated romanticism that fools attach to minor gestures or symbols of affection.
The second paragraph continues to highlight the folly of falling in love too quickly. The image of "love torches burning" signifies the intense passion and infatuation that fools experience. Rather than maintaining a level-headed approach, they are carried away by their emotions. The singer acknowledges that he used to laugh at these foolish actions but now understands them more deeply. By saying "Shake the hand of a brand new fool," the singer seems to emphasize the inevitability and commonality of this behavior.
The third paragraph compares fools falling in love to schoolgirls, suggesting that they become blinded by idealized notions of romance and are prone to building relationships based on unrealistic dreams. The line about building "castles on wishes" with "rainbows for beams" paints a picture of relationships built on fanciful ideas and fantasies rather than a solid foundation of compatibility and practicality. The mention of making plans for the future without fully considering the immediate present implies that fools are often too caught up in their fantasies to see the reality in front of them.
In the final paragraph, the singer confesses that he used to find amusement in the foolishness of others but now understands it more empathetically. The repetition of the line "I used to laugh but now I understand" reinforces the singer's transition from judgment to comprehension. By shaking the hand of a "brand new fool," the singer seems to convey the notion of offering support and understanding to those who are caught up in the cycle of falling in love too quickly.
Overall, these lyrics convey a perspective on love and relationships that cautions against rushing into emotional commitments and highlights the risks of building relationships on superficial or impractical foundations. The song reminds listeners of the importance of balance between passion and reason in matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, fools fall in love in a hurry
People who lack wisdom and judgment often quickly develop feelings of love
Fools give their hearts much too soon
These individuals easily and prematurely commit their emotions
Just play them two bars of Stardust
A mere hint or reminder of romance is enough to captivate them
Just hang out one silly moon, oh, oh
Merely spending time under a romantic moon is enough to mesmerize them
They've got their love torches burning
Their passions and desires are ablaze
When they should be playing it cool
Instead of being calm and level-headed, they should exercise restraint
I used to laugh but now I understand
I used to find amusement in this situation, but now I comprehend it
Shake the hand of a brand new fool
Meet someone who has recently fallen into this pattern of naive and impulsive love
Just like schoolgirls
Similar to young and inexperienced girls
Blinded by rose colored dreams
They are unable to see the reality due to their overly optimistic and idealistic visions
They build their castles on wishes
They construct their imaginary relationships based on desires and hopes
With only rainbows for beams, oh, oh
Their foundations are weak and unrealistic, relying solely on colorful fantasies
They're making plans for the future
They are envisioning a future together without considering the present circumstances
When they should be right back in school
Rather than rushing ahead, they should focus on learning from their experiences
Shake the hand of a brand new fool
Engage with someone who has recently fallen into the same naive love trap
Oh, oh, they're making plans for the future
They are preoccupied with making long-term plans without fully understanding the current situation
When they should be right back in school
Instead of jumping ahead, they should be seeking knowledge and understanding
I used to laugh but now I understand
In the past, I found this amusing, but now I comprehend the foolishness
Shake the hand of a brand new fool
Introduce yourself to someone who has recently embraced this recklessness in love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind