After an unsuccessful first single, the group were signed to Laurie Records. Their breakthrough came when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the group appeared for the first time on the Dick Clark TV show. They followed it with the ballads "No One Knows" (#19) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40).
This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts’ next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released, making #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 in the UK Singles Chart, and this was followed by an album, Presenting Dion and the Belmonts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. chart.
However, in early 1960, Dion checked in to hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful, there were musical and financial disputes between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960 Dion decided to quit for a solo career. The Belmonts also continued to release records, but with less success.
Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 for the unsuccessful album Together Again on ABC Records, and again in 1972 for a one-off show at Madison Square Garden, recorded and released as a live album.
Fools Rush In
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to say
A game I thought I'd never play
"Romance is a game for fools"
I said and grinned
Then you passed by
And here am I
Throwing caution to the wind
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
And so I come to you, my love, my heart above my head.
Though I see the danger there
If there's a chance for me, then I don't care
Mm-mm-mm-mm
Fools rush in where wise men never go
But wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
When we met, I felt my life begin
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
Fools rush in where wise men never, never, never go
Eh, but wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
Ah, when we met, girl, I felt my life begin
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
Just open up your heart and let this fool rush on in
Just open up your heart because I-I-I-I-I-I-I am coming in
Open up your heart and let this fool rush in!
The lyrics of Dion & The Belmonts's song Fools Rush In suggest that the singer had previously avoided romantic entanglements and viewed love as a game for fools. However, upon seeing his love interest, he throws caution to the wind and rushes in, despite the danger he perceives. The lyrics suggest that wise men do not fall in love, and hence do not rush in, but the singer is willing to take the risk.
The song showcases the idea of being spontaneous in romantic love and taking a leap of faith. Even though the singer is aware of the danger involved, he is also aware of the potential reward that comes with it. He is willing to risk it all for a chance at love, which is a common theme in romantic music.
Overall, the lyrics to Fools Rush In highlight the vulnerability and impulsiveness that often accompanies love. It speaks to the universal human experience of being unable to resist someone who sets our heart racing.
Line by Line Meaning
Romance is a game for fools
I used to proclaim that love was for simple-minded individuals.
A game I thought I'd never play
I always believed I was strong enough to avoid falling in love.
Romance is a game for fools
I reiterated my view of love being for people of lesser intelligence.
I said and grinned
I confidently expressed my opinion with a smile.
Then you passed by
But then you came along.
And here am I
And now, here I am.
Throwing caution to the wind
Risking it all and letting my guard down for you.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Impulsive people take risks that more cautious individuals would avoid.
And so I come to you, my love, my heart above my head.
Despite the dangers that I see, I still pursue you with my heart leading the way.
Though I see the danger there
I am aware of the risks involved in this endeavor.
If there's a chance for me, then I don't care
But if there is a possibility for us to be together, then I am willing to take that chance.
Fools rush in where wise men never go
Rash people take risks that wise individuals would avoid.
But wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
However, since wise people never experience love, they cannot understand the emotions and actions of those who are in love.
When we met, I felt my life begin
When I met you, my life changed and I felt like it had just begun.
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
I am asking you to take a chance on me and let me into your heart, even if it may seem irrational to others.
Just open up your heart because I-I-I-I-I-I-I am coming in
I am coming to you with all my love and emotions and I hope you will accept me.
Open up your heart and let this fool rush in!
So please, give me a chance and let me prove that my love for you is genuine.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Rube Bloom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind