Outbreak of World War 11 saw him in the Royal CanadianAir Force in the UK, where aside from his duties he sang with various bands. Back in Canada after the war he got his own local radio show, but returned to the UK in 1950, just in time to ,luckily, land the plum role on stage in London as Billy Bigelow in Carousel, giving in all over 1,000 performances. In demand, he also topped the bill in shows such as Guys and Dolls(1953/54), Can Can (1954/55) and The Pajama Game(1955/56). From the latter he registered a big hit record with 'Hey There'. Made other records, and over the years worked with many of the musical stars of the day. In 1987 he even, at 67, appeared with Suzy Quatro in 'Annie Get Your Gun'. Had numerous radio and TV appearances as well over his 50 year career. For his last few years lived as a family man, dying on the 18th March 2009. Entertained millions of people over the years with his fine baritone singing.
Young and Foolish
Edmund Hockridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why Is It Wrong To Be
Young And Foolish
We Haven't Long To Be
Soon Enough The Carefree Days
The Sunlit Days Go By
Soon Enough The Bluebird Has To Fly
We Were Foolish
Now We Wonder
What Were We Dreamin' Of
Smiling In The Sunlight
Laughing In The Rain
I Wish That We Were Young And Foolish Again
Smiling In The Sunlight
Laughing In The Rain
I Wish That We Were Young And Foolish Againin
The Edmund Hockridge's song "Young and Foolish" is a reflection on the passage of time and the folly of youth. The song asks the question, "Why is it wrong to be young and foolish?" It seems to suggest that there is something special about being young and carefree, something worth cherishing and holding on to, even as the years go by.
The song speaks to the universal experience of growing older and looking back on the reckless abandon of youth with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The lyrics describe carefree days spent in sunshine, laughing in the rain and falling in love. But of course, as the song reminds us, those days are fleeting. The bluebird as to fly, and we must all grow up.
At its core, "Young and Foolish" is a song about the experience of being human. We all look back on our youth with a mixture of regret and fondness, and this song captures that feeling perfectly. It reminds us that the passing of time is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and that we should cherish each moment while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
Young And Foolish
Being young and foolish is the current state of the singer
Why Is It Wrong To Be
The singer is questioning the societal pressure to not be young and foolish
Young And Foolish
Repeated realization that the singer is young and foolish
We Haven't Long To Be
The singer acknowledges that they won't be young forever and time is limited
Soon Enough The Carefree Days
Days of being carefree will come to an end
The Sunlit Days Go By
The sunny days go by quickly
Soon Enough The Bluebird Has To Fly
The bluebird symbolizes youth and freedom, which will also come to an end
We Were Foolish
Reflection on past actions and decisions made as young and foolish individuals
One Day We Fell In Love
The singer and their partner fell in love, possibly due to their young and foolish nature
Now We Wonder
Reflection on current state of relationship and questioning past decisions
What Were We Dreamin' Of
The singer is questioning the goals and aspirations they had when they were young and foolish
Smiling In The Sunlight
The happy memories of being young and foolish
Laughing In The Rain
The carefree attitude of youth, even in less than ideal circumstances
I Wish That We Were Young And Foolish Again
The singer longs for the simpler and carefree days of their youth
Smiling In The Sunlight
Happy memories of youth, repeated for emphasis
Laughing In The Rain
Carefree attitude of youth, repeated for emphasis
I Wish That We Were Young And Foolish Again
Longing for the past, repeated for emphasis
Writer(s): Albert Hague, Arnold Horwitt
Contributed by James M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
M F
Absolutely fabulous -
Mickey Clark
Grew up on a Farm near Vancouver British Columbia - I have the 12" Long play - this a 45?
Vic 45
My dear mother died in 1995 aged 89 and he was her favorite singer
carlos Procont
buena canción
toff358
Canada`s answer to Howard Keel! Such a very fine voice - excellent baritone from the 50`s, fondly remembered..
John Walsh
First heard him on my older brothers wind up record player over sixty plus years ago .still brings back lovely memories god bless.
BLUEBELL258
Wonderful. I wish I was young and foolish again and enjoying every minute of my teens. I'm afraid I was too serious and missed out; so sad.
Devon Dandy
We have that in common, it's a time to be carefree and I missed it
BLUEBELL258
Hope you made up for the lost years.
William Barnett
He was a great freind one of the best. Jerry Barnett. Bristol.