Pitney, a pop rock pioneer, had his greatest success overall in Britain, first travelling there after his first self penned hit in 1961. "I Wanna Love My Life Away" hit #26 on the UK singles chart & just broke into the top 40 in the US.
His early music recorded for the "musicor" label was romantic, lonely and dramatic, fitting in alongside contemporaries like Buddy Holly, Neil Sedaka, Roy Orbison & serves as an audio time capsule of a more innocent time.
Gene Pitney - Yesterday's Hero...
Gene was a Brill Building songwriter who even before his singing career took off, had written one of Ricky Nelson's biggest hits "Hello Mary Lou". He had been helped out initially in his career by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, and later recorded some of their songs which became big hits like "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and the classic "Only Love Can Break A Heart". At the time his "Only Love..." recording was a #2 chart hit, he had written the number 1 song that week; "He's A Rebel" (A Phil Spector production recorded by The Crystals). All in all Pitney himself recorded 16 top 40 songs in the US from 1961 to 1968.
Gene's biggest popularity was in England, where he used the Rolling Stones publicist Andrew Loog Oldham to get his fame established, which lasted there to the day of his death. In the UK, Gene had 40 top-40 charting hits through 1974. He finally hit #1 in the UK in 1990, performing a duet with Marc Almond of Soft Cell. Pitney died April 5 on tour in 2006. He was found by his tour manager fully clothed on his bed at a Hilton Hotel in Cardiff , shortly after performing a concert.
Fool
Gene Pitney Lyrics
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And he ran away 'cause he felt life was cruel
A killer of fools was walking close behind him
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool
Oh the fool killer is a giant they say
He chops down a fool and he goes on his way, yeah
Better runaway boy was a runaway boy
So, he claimed the hills and roamed the woods and valleys
Just get up and go became his golden rule
A killer of fools was walking in the shadows
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool
Then there came a day a man and woman found him
Lovingly they smiled and then they called him son
No more did he fear that wicked old fool killer
I know that it's true because I was the one
Oh the fool killer is a giant they say
He chops down a fool and he goes on his way
Well who was the fool tell me the boy in his bed
Or the boy who used to roam
Runaway boy listen, runaway boy better go on home
The lyrics of Gene Pitney's song "Fool" depict the story of a boy who left his home feeling disillusioned with life as it was too harsh on him. He ran away to avoid being labeled as foolish, with the fear that it might add to his misery. The boy was chased by a giant killer of fools, who was thought to harm anyone who exhibits foolishness.
The boy roamed around the woods, valleys, and hills, making it his rule to just get up and go. The fear of being captured by the giant killer and the fear of being called foolish vanished when a man and a woman found him while lovingly smiling and called him son. The boy's perception of life changed, and he realized that he was never a fool, but the fear of being seen as one led him to run away from life. The lyrics end on a hopeful note, as the boy is advised to go home.
The song's lyrics are an allegory of life, where people often run away from their problems and the fear of being judged. The giant killer of fools represents the fear of failure, which hinders people from taking necessary risks and living their life to the fullest. The song's message is to overcome fear and take bold steps towards achieving what we believe in, as foolishness is only a perception, and everyone has a right to chase their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a boy who left the bed he slept in
There was a boy who felt that his life was not meant to be lived in his bed.
And he ran away 'cause he felt life was cruel
He believed that life was unkind, and so he left.
A killer of fools was walking close behind him
He was being followed by a murderer who killed people who were naive and trusting.
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool
The boy was afraid of being perceived as foolish by others.
Oh the fool killer is a giant they say
According to hearsay, the killer of stupid people is a colossal monster.
He chops down a fool and he goes on his way, yeah
Once the killer murders someone gullible, he continues on his path.
Better runaway boy was a runaway boy
The boy who ran away was intelligent for fleeing.
Very much like you
In comparison, this boy was similar to you (the listener).
So, he claimed the hills and roamed the woods and valleys
He laid claim to the hills and traveled through woods and valleys.
Just get up and go became his golden rule
His primary principle in life was to 'just do it' and leave without delay.
A killer of fools was walking in the shadows
The murderer was following him unnoticed.
The boy was afraid that he'd be thought a fool
This boy feared appearing foolish, so he was cautious.
Then there came a day a man and woman found him
A man and woman discovered him at some point in time.
Lovingly they smiled and then they called him son
They expressed tenderness to him and referred to him as 'son.'
No more did he fear that wicked old fool killer
He no longer feared the evil fool killer that haunted him.
I know that it's true because I was the one
The one telling the story knows it to be fact because he was the boy.
Well who was the fool tell me the boy in his bed
Now, the question stands: Who was the foolish one? The boy in his bed or the boy who ran?
Or the boy who used to roam
Perhaps, it was the boy that once wandered and traveled.
Runaway boy listen, runaway boy better go on home
The singer advises those listening to him that it's better to return to your roots and to where you come from than to run away.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ave Fenix Hi
I love this version, wonderful!!!!
Rjr rjr
what a voiceeeeeeee!!!
mega lodon
the real deal
Marcel Audubon
interesting spin on this song ...prefer Chris Rea's, but Chris himself didn't like the arrangement/production of his own song- maybe this was more what he had in mind