My Foolish Heart
Chet Baker Lyrics


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The night is like a lovely tune
Beware my foolish heart
How white the ever constant moon
Take care my foolish heart

There's a line between love and fascination
That's hard to see, how many names such as this
For they both have the very same sensation
When you're locked in the magic of a kiss

Her lips are much too close to mine
Beware my foolish heart
But should our eager lips combine
Then let the fire start

For this time it isn't fascination
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart




It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart

Overall Meaning

Chet Baker and Philip Catherine's song My Foolish Heart is a soulful ballad set to a slow, melancholy tune. The lyrics convey the message of caution in love, warning against the vulnerability and unpredictability of the heart. Throughout the song, the singer is filled with a sense of foreboding, urging himself to be careful and guarded, for fear of getting hurt. The haunting lyrics strike a chord, capturing the universal experience of falling in love and the accompanying uncertainty.


The opening lines of the song establish the mood of caution and hesitation; the night is like a lovely tune, but the singer warns himself to beware his foolish heart. The next lines bring in the image of the moon, a constant yet distant presence, which highlights the beauty and danger of love. The second stanza elaborates on the duality of love and fascination, and how they are often difficult to tell apart. The singer acknowledges the powerful sensation that both evoke, and how they can leave one spellbound in the magic of a kiss.


The final stanza adds a note of hopefulness to the song, as the singer proclaims that this time, it is love that he feels. He allows himself to let go, to embrace the fire that ignites when two people are in love. The repeated motif of the foolish heart serves as a cautionary tale, reminding the listener of the fragility and unpredictability of love, but also highlighting the wonder and joy that it can bring.


Line by Line Meaning

The night is like a lovely tune
The night is peaceful and romantic


Beware my foolish heart
I need to be careful not to fall too deeply in love


How white the ever constant moon
The moon is full and bright shining some light on us from above


Take care my foolish heart
Be cautious you don't make a foolish mistake


There's a line between love and fascination
It's hard to tell between the two feelings


That's hard to see, how many names such as this
Most likely there are many names describing this kind of love-cum-fascination emotion


For they both have the very same sensation
Love and fascination have the same intensity


When you're locked in the magic of a kiss
Those moments when lost in each other intimately


Her lips are much too close to mine
She has moved a bit too close to my face


But should our eager lips combine
We could share a passionate kiss if we wanted to


Then let the fire start
The sparks may fly in the midst of the kiss


For this time it isn't fascination
It feels different this time as it's not just fascination


Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's not just a passing desire or fantasy, it's real


It's love, this time it's love
What I feel for her is real-love, truly


My foolish heart
My easily-tricked heart, I'm yet to be sure




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: NED WASHINGTON, VICTOR YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

M.J. Leger

Chet was unusual, in that he was able to "play" his voice like he did his trumpet, and to think he was encouraged NOT to sing but did it anyway. His music is a favorite of mine -- as a musician for many years myself, I hear and love the emotion, feelings, mood he puts in his music. Chet often worked with some of the best musicians alive during his time, they recognized his talent and wanted to work with him. He preferred to work in Europe more than here -- our loss, but we have these recordings, and thank you for posting them! (Chet's trumpet was never blaring or strident, (listen to his high notes around 4:48, high but so clear) he knew how to get out of it, just what he wanted, mellow, sometimes rather mournful but beautiful music! One of the best trumpeters in history, and there were many great ones I could mention!

Paul Dance

M.J. Leger many great trumpet players in our history, Chet just happens to be my favorite.

islandbud

Here! Here!! Well said. Thank you. Don 🥂😎🕯🏳️‍🌈

M.J. Leger

Thanks!

Ben Sitzer

M.J. Leger well said

林輝美

I love his voice and sound❣️

Aure G

The best trumpeter full of feelings

M.J. Leger

I don't think there has ever been or is, another trumpeter with Chet's mellow yet jazzy sound -- incomparable talent! Maybe "will be" but they'll have to go a very long way to compare with Chet. He had all the right licks and sounds, never strident on his horn, always so smooth and sensual, same with his voice! Truly gifted like no other, really.

Luciana Scotti

Non c'è bisogno di avere una voce splendida per trasmettere emozioni....ma Chet Baker, oltre ad essere intenso e sofferto quando canta, è un Mostro Sacro quando suona....nulla da aggiungere. Se non GRANDIOSO!!!!

ひろひろ

かっけぇぇぇ(´;ω;`)
サリンジャーとチェットベイカーという組み合わせ何か素敵

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