Call and Response are a musical ensemble hailing from the Bay Area, Califor… Read Full Bio ↴Call and Response are a musical ensemble hailing from the Bay Area, California. The music they compose is filled with rhythm, harmony, and warmth. Elements of classic pop, spacey jazz, film soundtracks, folk and soul music are only some of the musical inspirations drawn upon by the group. Call and Response formed in 1998 when Simone Rubi (keyboards, vocals) and Daniel Judd (guitar), who shared a love of obscure pop music, film soundtracks, and synthesizers, decided to collaborate on a musical project in their hometown of Santa Barbara. They began writing songs and soon Simone asked one of her oldest friends, Carrie Clough (vocals), to lend her harmonic skills to the group. A year later they relocated to Oakland where they met Terri Loewenthal (bass, vocals). Terri, a Florida native, impressed them with her fluid bass playing and ability to harmonize vocally. In need of percussion, they chanced upon Jordan Dalrymple (drums) an accomplished musician from San Diego, living in Berkeley. The five immediately became close friends and a productive song writing team, each lending their individual talents and insights in a uniquely democratic fashion. Call and Response finished recording a new album in January 2004. With this record, the band innovates a sound that is impressionistic, mystical, and beautiful. The 10 song album entitled Winds take no shape, will be released in June on Badman Recording Co., who have released albums by Mark Kozelek, Rebecca Gates, My Morning Jacket, and other talented artists. The Call and Response self-titled debut album from 2001 on Emperor Norton Records gained international recognition and received positive reviews from National Public Radio and the Washington Post. Reviewers drew comparisons to the Sea and Cake, Heart, the Jackson 5, Gal Costa, Brian Eno and Stereolab.

The Fool
Call And Response Lyrics

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Do do do do do do do do do do do do

Woah woah
You don't know
When I'm with you
How I feel
Woah woah
I can't explain

Who I am
And what I reveal
Woah woah
What can I do
Without you
A hanging around
Woah woah
What can I say
To keep you
From feeling down

Now it's the end
And you've kept your cool
You wanted a friend
Now you've got a fool

Woah woah
I couldn't sleep
I have that dream
That you're not so shy
Woah woah
And I'm so ashamed
That on that day
I made you cry
Woah woah
What can I do
You've gone and
Left me here
Woah woah
What can I say
It was wrong
That you dissapeared

It's not the end
And you'll keep your cool
You wanted a friend
Now you've got a fool

Now it's the end
And you've kept your cool
You wanted a friend
Now you've got a fool

Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do

Overall Meaning

Call And Response's "The Fool" is a song about unrequited love and the feeling of vulnerability that goes with it. The song begins with a nonsensical "do do do" melody, which is quickly followed by the forlorn "woah woah" vocals of the singer. The first verse sets up the theme of the song - the singer is with the person they love, but they can't fully express themselves. They can't explain who they are and what they feel, which creates a sense of frustration and sadness. The chorus repeats the same question over and over: "What can I do without you? What can I say to keep you from feeling down?" The singer is desperate to find a way to make their feelings known, but they can't seem to find the words.

The second half of the song takes a slightly different turn. The singer reflects on a past experience where they made the person they love cry. They are remorseful and wish they could undo what they did. The final verse is about the aftermath of the situation - the person they love has left them, and they feel foolish and alone. The song ends with a repetition of the "do do do" melody, as if to signal the cyclical nature of unrequited feelings. Overall, "The Fool" is a poignant and relatable song about the struggles of expressing love and dealing with rejection.

Line by Line Meaning

Do do do do do do do do do do do do
Introduction - Repetition of an instrumental beat

Woah woah
Exclamation of emotion

You don't know
Feeling unacknowledged by the listener

When I'm with you
Feeling content when with the listener

How I feel
Emotional state is difficult to articulate

I can't explain
Inability to express oneself

Who I am
Identity is uncertain when around the listener

And what I reveal
Discomfort with the idea of opening up

What can I do
Feeling powerless without the listener

Without you
Emphasis on dependence on the listener

A hanging around
Lingering presence without purpose