His specialty ranges from R&B and pop to gospel. Although born in Norfolk, Virginia, Holman later grew up in New York. His mother, noticing that he loved to sing, even as early as the age of two, introduced him to the piano and the guitar, where he quickly revealed a natural aptitude. His abilities, however, were confined mostly to church and family gatherings until 1956. It was then, at the age of ten, that Little Eddie Holman stepped onto the stage on Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater and showed his smooth tenor voice. His victory at the Apollo began to open many other doors for the young prodigy. Soon, Holman was performing at theaters on Broadway and even at Carnegie Hall. Not wanting her son to miss any opportunity, his mother was able to get him enrolled at the Victoria School of Music in Harlem. At Victoria, he learned the technical craft of music and began to blossom. In 1962, Holman made his first record.
As a teenager, Holman and his family moved to Philadelphia. After graduating from high school, he attended Cheyney State University where he graduated with a degree in music. It was in the Philadelphia soul scene that he began to develop his trademark style. While still in college, he recorded his first hit record, "This Can't Be True" (1965). Other hits began to follow: "Am I A Loser From The Start" (1966), "I Love You" (1969), "Don't Stop Now" (1970), and "Cathy Called" (1970). After singing with the Philadelphia groups The Delfonics and The Stylistics, Holman finally struck personal gold in 1970 with his ballad, "Hey There Lonely Girl" (originally "Hey There Lonely Boy" recorded in 1963 by Ruby and the Romantics), which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track peaked at number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1974. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc from the R.I.A.A. in March 1970.
British journalist Tony Cummings once wrote, "Eddie Holman's voice, an astonishing precision instrument which can leap octaves with the speed of mercury and bend notes into shapes unimagined by lesser singers, has assured its possessor a place in soul history."[citation needed]
In 1977, Eddie had a brief resurgence in popularity with his last two hit singles, "This Will Be A Night To Remember" and "You Make My Life Complete".
Eddie Holman and his wife Sheila have three children. He is an ordained Baptist minister who uses his musical talents both as a tool of entertainment and as a medium to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. He believes that his talent is a gift from God and therefore must be used to glorify his Maker. Furthermore, it is his belief "that those who are blessed with creative talent have a responsibility to encourage personal accountability and to set the best example possible because of the powerful influence that they have on the lives of so many young ones."
Today, Holman owns his own record label (Agape Records) and music publishing company (Schoochiebug Music Publishing). He also continues to tour with the Eddie Holman Band. He still resides in Philadelphia, and spends time as a local community volunteer helping reach out to those less fortunate. He also works within the Philadelphia School System encouraging young people to become involved in the performing arts. During the summer of 2007, Holman performed weekly for the passengers abroad the MS Sun Princess cruise ship while it was en route to the inside passage of Alaska.
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Eddie Holman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do birds sing so gay?
And lovers await the break of day.
Why does the rain fall from above?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do they fall in love?
Love is a losing game
Love can be a shame
I know of a fool
You see
Tell me why, why, why?
Tell me why
(music plays)
Why do birds sing so gay?
And lovers await the break of day.
Why do they fall in love?
Why does my heart skip, a crazy beat?
Before i know, it will reach deafeat.
Tell me why, why, why?
Tell me why.
Eddie Holman's 1960 hit song Why Do Fools Fall in Love is often considered to be one of the classic love songs of all time. The song, written by Frankie Lymon and Jimmy Merchant for the Teenagers, tells the story of the ups and downs of love and how it can be a losing game. The lyrics begin by asking a series of rhetorical questions that many people may have asked themselves at some point in their lives. The singer wonders why birds sing so joyously, why lovers can't wait for the morning to arrive, and why rain falls from the sky. All of these things seem so beautiful and magical, but love can be such a painful journey for many.
Holman's soulful voice captures the essence of the song perfectly, as he laments the fact that love can be such a fickle mistress. He talks about how it can be a shameful thing when it's not reciprocated and how it can be a losing game for those who dare to play it. The lyrics make it clear that the singer has been a fool for love at one point in his life, and the memories of past heartbreaks still linger.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah
Repetitive vocalization meant to create a rhythmic and catchy sound
Why do fools fall in love?
Questioning the reason behind infatuation and why people fall for others
Why do birds sing so gay?
Observing the joyful melodies of birds and their association with love and happiness
And lovers await the break of day.
Highlighting the eagerness of lovers to spend time with each other as the night comes to an end
Why does the rain fall from above?
Questioning the natural phenomenon of rainfall and its correlation with emotions
Why do fools fall in love?
Echoing the previous line to reiterate the confusion and bewilderment around falling in love
Why do they fall in love?
Asking why individuals continue to pursue love despite its risks and potential for heartbreak
Love is a losing game
Comparing love to a game with a high probability of failure and loss
Love can be a shame
Suggesting that love can bring feelings of embarrassment, disgrace, or disappointment
I know of a fool
Anecdotal reference to someone who has experienced the negative consequences of love
Tell me why, why, why?
Repeating the initial question as an expression of frustration and a desire to understand
Why do birds sing so gay?
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the correlation between love and happiness
And lovers await the break of day.
Repeating a previous line to convey the strong desire for romantic connection and affection
Why do they fall in love?
Repeating the question with a tone of skepticism or cynicism towards the concept of love
Why does my heart skip, a crazy beat?
Asking why feelings of love can cause physical reactions such as a racing heartbeat
Before I know, it will reach defeat.
Conveying the inevitability of heartbreak and loss that often accompanies love
Tell me why, why, why?
Repeating the question one final time as a plea for answers or understanding
Writer(s): Frankie Lymon, Morris Levy
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.