The Fool
Hazlewood Lyrics
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Hold your glasses high
And drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
Too late he found out he loves her
So much he wants to die
But drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo
She's found a new love, buddy
He's a lucky guy
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told his baby goodbye
He needs her, he needs her so
He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo
She's found a new love, buddy
He's a lucky guy
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told my baby goodbye
My baby goodbye
Who told my baby, who told my baby...
In "The Fool," Hazlewood tells the tragic story of a man who realizes too late that he has made the wrong decision by leaving his lover. The song begins with a call to gather around and raise a glass to this fool, who made the mistake of telling his baby goodbye. The man loved his partner so much that he wants to die now that he realizes he has lost her. The chorus repeats the call to drink to the fool and his poor choice.
In the second verse, the man learns that his former lover has found a new love, and he envies the lucky guy who has taken his place. He still loves his ex-partner and wonders why he let her go. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the irony that the man who made the mistake is calling upon his friends to drink and celebrate his misfortune.
Overall, this song is a classic example of a country ballad that tells a sad story of love and loss. The narrative is simple but powerful, and Hazlewood's vocals add a sense of emotional depth and sincerity to the lyrics. The song offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking love for granted and the importance of appreciating what we have before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather round me buddies
Come close to me, friends
Hold your glasses high
Raise your drinking glasses up high
And drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
Let's toast to a foolish man who ended his relationship with his lover
Too late he found out he loves her
He realized his love for her when it was already too late
So much he wants to die
His love for her is so intense that he feels like dying
He needs her, he needs her so
He's desperate for her, he needs her badly
He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo
He's questioning himself why he broke up with her
She's found a new love, buddy
She has moved on and found a new lover, friend
He's a lucky guy
Her new lover is fortunate to be with her
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told his baby goodbye
Let's toast to me, the foolish man who ended his relationship with his lover
She's found a new love, buddy
She has moved on and found a new lover, friend
He's a lucky guy
Her new lover is fortunate to be with her
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told my baby goodbye
Let's toast to me, the foolish man who ended his relationship with my lover
My baby goodbye
The goodbye of my lover
Who told my baby, who told my baby...
Who ended the relationship with my lover...
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEE HAZLEWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind