Lymon was credited with their first big hit, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, though in the early '90s, a federal judge ruled after a lengthy trial that Lymon hadn't written "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" -- another member of the Teenagers had. Nevertheless, his wise-beyond-his-years vocal and performing abilities not only made the Teenagers a group several notches above the competition but made Lymon the first black teenage pop star. Though only together for a brief 18-month period, Lymon & the Teenagers exerted an enormous influence, spawning several "kid" vocal groups and providing initial inspiration to Berry Gordy to model his entire Motown production approach around Lymon's original vocal style. Inexplicably, the group split into two fractions at the height of their success, and neither had a hit again. Lymon died from a drug overdose at age 25. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Len Barry, and his principal protégé, Michael Jackson (whose early recordings with the Jackson 5 are virtual re-creations of the early Lymon sound, merely updated) all show the influence of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' groundbreaking work.
Let's Fall in Love
Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers 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 do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from above?
Why do fools fall in love?
Love is a losing game
Love can a be shame
I know of a fool
You see
For that fool is me
Tell me why, why, why
Tell me why
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 defeat!
Tell me why, why, why
Why do fools fall in love?
In the song 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love' by Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, the singer wonders why people fall in love despite the risks and heartbreak that come with it. The opening lines of the song, "Oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah", serve as a playful introduction to the serious question that the song poses. The lyrics suggest that love is a mystery that is difficult to understand, and that even though it can be painful, people continue to fall in love.
The song suggests that the reason why people fall in love is because of the joys of love - the happiness, the excitement, and the rapture. The singer asks, "Why do birds sing so gay? And lovers await the break of day? Why do they fall in love?" The song suggests that people fall in love because they want to experience the ecstatic highs of emotional connectedness. However, the lyrics also acknowledge the risks that come with love - the possibility of heartbreak, the uncertainty, and the vulnerability. As the chorus indicates, the singer knows "of a fool...for that fool is me" - suggesting that the singer too has experienced the pain of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah, oh wah
Vocalization expressing emotional confusion and wonder.
Why do fools fall in love?
Questioning the universal phenomenon of foolish love.
Why do birds sing so gay?
Rhetorical question linking the melodies of lovebirds to human romance.
And lovers await the break of day
Knowing that love is strong enough to withstand the passing of time.
Why do they fall in love?
Repeating the main question with a lingering sense of amazement.
Why does the rain fall from above?
Comparing the inevitability of downpour to the desire for love.
Love is a losing game
Admitting the risk of getting hurt when romantically involved.
Love can be a shame
Recognizing that love can also bring shame and disappointment.
I know of a fool
Admitting to being someone who has fallen victim to foolish love.
You see, for that fool is me
Confessing to being lost in the love game and acknowledging it.
Tell me why, why, why
Reiterating the desperation to understand the reasons behind falling in love.
Why do birds sing so gay?
Repeating the rhetorical question as a reminder of the joy found in love's songs.
And lovers await the break of day?
Repeating the inquiry into why people are willing to endure the wait for true love.
Why does my heart skip a crazy beat?
Expressing the physical sensations of being in love.
Before I know it will reach defeat!
Fearing that the initial excitement of love may eventually lead to heartbreak.
Tell me why, why, why
Concluding with the same question, echoing the confusion and intrigue surrounding the concept of love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRIS LEVY, FRANKIE LYMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
qasimat
I love this song! Always reminds me of my sister who had the album!!
Tedra Ford
I love how Frankie gives the kiss at the end! He was so handsome with distinguished swag!!! Rip Frankie!
Vee.The.Artist
This was posted on my birthday, Love you Frankie 💛💛
The O3's
What a beautiful song
Arryn Williams
I love this song
pierce
I never thought I would find this online. I managed to find this on some sort of EP by him and I haven't seen it anywhere online and I think it's a very rare EP of his, on the Roulette label NZ
The O3's
@GS Soul yeah that would’ve been great
GS Soul
@The O3's I have no idea. Wish Frankie was here to answer your question!
The O3's
@GS Soul quick question was the kiss at the end improvised by Frankie or did the music production people tell him to do it?
GS Soul
I used to have almost every Frankie recording available. I regret that I didn't upload more, but it was a laborious process. Plus, a lot of the videos kept getting flagged for copyright. If I am ever able to, I promise I will upload more of those rare recordings, to preserve and get them out there.