They were successful from the beginning, with their 1981 single "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" setting the stage for the breakthrough success of the album 'Pelican West' (1982). The single "Love Plus One" was even bigger than anything previous, and Haircut 100 seemed poised for stardom just as Heyward decided to seek a solo career. The remainder of the band tried to continue with the album 'Paint and Paint' (1984), with percussionist Mark Fox taking over Heyward's vocal duties, but they broke up soon after.
Although somewhat dismissed as a 'one hit wonder' due to the spread of blockbuster hit "Love Plus One", the band proved influential by the late 00s when new wave revivalist bands such as Vampire Weekend and No Kids emerged employing a similar style of preppy, afrobeat-like guitar pop.
Nobody's Fool
Haircut 100 Lyrics
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That comes between us
When I see your face
When I meet your eyes
A mean reflection
I can′t help you to
Be nobody's fool
It′s just that
I can't help you to
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody's fool
It′s just that
I can't be your fool
When I try and I can′t understand
I feel and I feel, and it's making me cry
I wander around breaking hearts everyday
I feel and I feel, and I just wanna be
Your fool
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody′s fool
Well, times are changing
Rearranging
Things will turn in time
You're my painting
Meant for filming
Keep my soul in mind
Kiss my soul in time
Make the film in time
Make the film in time
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody′s fool
Be nobody's fool
Be nobody's fool
I try and I try, and I can′t understand
I feel and I feel, and it′s making me cry
I wander around breaking hearts everyday
I feel and I feel, and I just wanna be
Be nobody's fool
I wander around breaking hearts everyday (Nobody′s fool)
I feel and I feel, and I just wanna be (Nobody's fool)
Be nobody′s fool
I try and I try, and I can't understand (Nobody′s fool)
I feel and I feel, and it's making me cry (Nobody's fool)
Be nobody′s fool
I wander around breaking hearts everyday (Be nobody′s fool)
I feel and I feel, and I just wanna be (Be nobody's fool)
Be nobody′s fool
The lyrics of Haircut 100's "Nobody's Fool" describe a struggle between two people who are trying to avoid being hurt by each other. The singer feels a certain attraction towards the other person, but is aware that they might be playing games or hurting them intentionally. The songs seem to be a plea from the singer to the other person to be honest and open about their feelings, so that they can avoid hurting each other.
The lyrics are filled with images of reflection and misunderstanding. The singer sees the other person's face and meets their eyes, but feels that they are not really seeing them for who they are. They feel like they are both pretending, and that their true feelings are hidden behind a mean reflection. The lyrics also suggest a sense of frustration and confusion. The singer "tries and tries" to understand the other person, but feels like they are getting nowhere. This makes them feel like they are "nobody's fool" - they don't want to be played or manipulated.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nobody's Fool" are about the difficulty of opening up to someone and being vulnerable. Both people in the song seem to be struggling with their own fears and insecurities, and this is making it hard for them to connect with each other. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Be nobody's fool" over and over again. This seems to be a warning to both people to be careful, and not let themselves be hurt by the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this just a feeling
Is what I'm feeling just a feeling?
That comes between us
That's causing a barrier between us?
When I see your face
When I look at you?
When I meet your eyes
When we make eye contact?
A mean reflection
A reflection of something not good?
I can't help you to
I can't prevent you from?
Be nobody's fool
Being taken advantage of or deceived by anyone?
It's just that
The reason is simply that
Be nobody's fool
You shouldn't be deceived or taken advantage of by anyone?
Be nobody's fool
Don't be fooled by anyone?
Be nobody's fool
Don't be naive or gullible?
Be nobody's fool
Protect yourself from being taken advantage of?
Be nobody's fool
Don't let anyone play you for a fool?
I can't be your fool
I can't be deceived or taken as a fool?
When I try and I can't understand
When I try to comprehend and can't?
I feel and I feel, and it's making me cry
My emotions are overwhelming me and causing me pain
I wander around breaking hearts everyday
I unintentionally hurt people's feelings all the time
I just wanna be your fool
I just want to be naive or gullible for you?
Well, times are changing
Things are evolving and transforming?
Rearranging
Shifting or reorganizing?
Things will turn in time
Things will change and improve over time?
You're my painting
You're my masterpiece or my perfect creation?
Meant for filming
Intended to be captured on film?
Keep my soul in mind
Remember the essence of who I am
Kiss my soul in time
Love the truest part of me eventually?
Make the film in time
Record our relationship or story eventually?
I wander around breaking hearts everyday (Nobody's fool)
I unintentionally hurt people's feelings all the time because I don't want to be taken advantage of or deceived by anyone?
I feel and I feel, and I just wanna be (Nobody's fool)
My emotions are overwhelming me and causing me pain, but I still don't want to be taken advantage of or deceived by anyone?
I try and I try, and I can't understand (Nobody's fool)
I keep trying to comprehend but can't because I don't want to be naive or gullible?
Be nobody's fool
Don't let anyone play you for a fool?
Writer(s): Nick Heyward
Contributed by Benjamin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.