In addition, she has released three solo albums: The Corporate World (1988), Rude Blue (1992), and I Used To Be... (2003), and, according to her website, another album is currently in the works.
The Fool
Gail Ann Dorsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't really love you by the rules
For my love is sweet and free
No, no don't let me play the fool,
Fot this thing you ask oh! it's so cruel,
Can't you see it isn't me.
What you ask of me is just to be your clown,
Why make of our love a children's puppet show
Can't I simply love you in the way I know,
What I ask of you is not to turn away,
Listen to the words that i'm trying to say,
Our love could be a new adventure ev'ry day,
Cause I love you, love you, love you, love you.
No, no don't let me play the fool,
I can't really love you by the rules
For my love is sweet and free
No, no don't make me play the fool,
Fot this thing you ask oh! it's so cruel,
Can't you see it isn't me.
All I want from you is a little sympathy
Try to understand what it would be for me
All my hopes and dreams would now be bound and tied
Any hope of freedom would have surely died,
I want to know that I can fall in love again
And be sure that my love will never not restrain
So please just let me love you in the way I know,
Cause I love you, love you, love you, love you.
No, no don't let me play the fool,
I can't really love you by the rules
For my love is sweet and free
No, no don't make me play the fool,
Fot this thing you ask oh! it's so cruel,
Can't you see it isn't me...
The lyrics of Gail Ann Dorsey's song The Fool can be interpreted as an expression of the artist's desire for a genuine relationship that is not confined by societal norms and expectations. The opening line, "No, no don't let me play the fool," could be seen as a plea for the listener to not take advantage of the artist's vulnerability or naivety. The next line, "I can't really love you by the rules," suggests that the artist is willing to love freely and authentically, without conforming to society's expectations of how love should be expressed.
The next few lines further emphasize the artist's desire to be seen as an equal partner in the relationship, rather than a mere plaything or "clown" for the listener's amusement. The line "Why make of our love a children's puppet show" implies that the listener's expectations of the artist's behavior are limiting and infantilizing. The artist asserts their autonomy with the line "Can't I simply love you in the way I know."
The chorus repeats the artist's plea to not be made a fool or plaything in the relationship. The line "For my love is sweet and free" reiterates the idea that the artist desires a relationship that is genuine and not bound by societal norms.
The second verse of the song takes on a more assertive tone, with the artist expressing their desires and needs more explicitly. The line "All I want from you is a little sympathy" suggests that the artist wants to be heard and validated by the listener. The following lines emphasize the artist's desire for freedom and independence within the relationship. The line "Any hope of freedom would have surely died" suggests that the listener's expectations of the artist's behavior are stifling and restrictive.
The song ends with another repetition of the chorus, with the artist again pleading to not be made a fool or plaything in the relationship. The final line "Can't you see it isn't me" suggests that the artist wants to be seen and appreciated for who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
No, no don't let me play the fool,
I don't want to be deceived or taken advantage of
I can't really love you by the rules
I can't conform to social expectations of love
For my love is sweet and free
My love is pure and unencumbered by societal norms
Fot this thing you ask oh! it's so cruel,
Your request is unkind and inconsiderate of my feelings
Can't you see it isn't me.
Your demand doesn't reflect who I am or what I want
What you ask of me is just to be your clown,
You want me to entertain you without any thought for my emotions
Someone you can lead about and show around,
You want to control me as if I'm a mere object or possession
Why make of our love a children's puppet show
Why reduce our romantic relationship to a childish spectacle?
Can't I simply love you in the way I know,
Can't I express my love in a way that feels natural to me?
What I ask of you is not to turn away,
Please listen to me and acknowledge my perspective
Listen to the words that i'm trying to say,
Hear me out and respect my opinions
Our love could be a new adventure ev'ry day,
We can create a fresh and exciting relationship by embracing our individualities
Cause I love you, love you, love you, love you.
I care for you deeply and honestly
All I want from you is a little sympathy
I request your empathy and understanding
Try to understand what it would be for me
Consider how my perspective affects my experience
All my hopes and dreams would now be bound and tied
My aspirations would be limited and constricted
Any hope of freedom would have surely died,
I would lose my sense of individuality and autonomy
I want to know that I can fall in love again
I want to be assured that I can experience healthy romantic feelings
And be sure that my love will never not restrain
And be confident that my affection won't limit or restrict my personal freedom
So please just let me love you in the way I know,
I'm only asking to be allowed to express my love genuinely
Cause I love you, love you, love you, love you.
Again, my affection for you is sincere and authentic
No, no don't make me play the fool,
Once more, I'm asking to be treated with respect and genuine affection
Can't you see it isn't me...
Your request does not accurately reflect who I am or how I feel
Contributed by Mason J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.