In 1987, their LP Dumb Poet was released in America by A&M Records and the Psychedelic Furs-esque track "Tragic Comedy" was a minor hit on college radio. The band toured with Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Simple Minds, the Stranglers, and the Rolling Stones; however, they grew tired of the English music scene in the late '80s and relocated to Spain, where they were superstars.
Give them a try. Yes today's mega-bands are good - but for sheer originality and unpredictability - the "Fools" are hard to beat.
In 1997, the Immaculate Fools broke up after Weatherill departed from the group. Calling himself Dirty Ray, Weatherill abandoned the Immaculate Fools' Celtic touches for gritty blues on his solo debut Primitive. Influenced by John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Tom Waits, and Nick Cave, Weatherill recorded the album with Simon Anderson (percussion) and Rainy Moor (electric organ).
The Prince
Immaculate Fools Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I looked out from the shore.
Curious and captive
I knocked upon your door.
You stood aside, you let me in,
your house was warm and dry.
You gave me things I did not need.
Save a Prince for her,
save a tear for me,
and let her Prince be everything
that I could never be.
Save a Prince for her,
a Prince for her.
If you survive your perfection,
I'll hold on to mine.
I'll be faithful to our beauty,
the healing comes in time.
Hold me like a mountain,
hold me like dust.
The things I want are out of reach,
but reach for them I must.
Save a Prince for her,
save a tear for me,
and let her Prince be everything
that I could never be.
Save a Prince for her,
a Prince for her.
You looked in from the ocean,
I looked out from the shore.
Curious and captive
I knocked upon your door.
You stood aside, you let me in,
your house was warm and dry.
You gave me things I did not need.
These things I leave behind.
Save a Prince for her,
save a tear for me,
and let her Prince be everything
that I could never be.
Save a Prince for her,
a Prince for her.
Save a Prince,
save a Prince for her.
Save a tear for me.
The Immaculate Fools' song "The Prince" is a poignant commentary on unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The first verse sets the scene of two individuals looking at each other from afar, with one person coming from the ocean and the other from the shore. The longing is palpable as the singer describes being curious and captive, and knocking on the door of the person they desire. The chorus repeats the sentiment of the title, urging the listener to save a prince for the object of their affection, but also saving a tear for the singer who cannot be with the one they love.
The second verse introduces the idea of perfection and beauty, which seems to be something that the singer and the person they admire share. The singer promises to be faithful to this beauty, even if they cannot have it. The final lines of the verse reveal the great irony of the situation: the things the singer wants are out of reach, but they must still reach for them. This speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love, where the need for connection and affection outweighs the knowledge that it may not be reciprocated.
Overall, "The Prince" is a powerful exploration of love and longing, wrapped up in a beautifully crafted song. The repetition of phrases like "save a prince for her" and "save a tear for me" serve to drive home the message of the song, which is ultimately one of hope in the face of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
You looked in from the ocean,
You approached me from far away and with a sense of curiosity.
I looked out from the shore.
I watched you from a distance, trying to understand your perspective.
Curious and captive
Intrigued and mesmerized by your myterious qualities.
I knocked upon your door.
I took the initiative to approach you.
You stood aside, you let me in,
You welcomed me into your life.
your house was warm and dry.
Your presence provided comfort, safety and ease.
You gave me things I did not need.
You offered me things that were excessive, unnecessary and superficial.
These things I leave behind.
I'm not attached to these worldly things and I'm willing to let them go.
Save a Prince for her,
Wish her to find her ideal match and protector.
save a tear for me,
Let me have a moment of sorrow and grief.
and let her Prince be everything
Wish that her ideal match would possess all the qualities that I lack.
that I could never be.
Admitting the fact that I am flawed and limited.
If you survive your perfection,
If you can make it through the perfect and polished exterior that you carry.
I'll hold on to mine.
I'll cherish and maintain my true self.
I'll be faithful to our beauty,
I'll remain loyal to the unique and pure qualities that we possess.
the healing comes in time.
The process of recovery and reconciliation will take time and patience.
Hold me like a mountain,
Embrace me with the steadfastness and stability of a mountain.
hold me like dust.
Handle me delicately and with the utmost care, like the fragility of dust.
The things I want are out of reach,
Admitting the unattainability of certain desires.
but reach for them I must.
Nonetheless, I'll strive and reach for them despite the challenges and obstacles.
Save a Prince,
Hope to find the traditional and idealistic match.
save a Prince for her.
Wish that she could find her true match and happily-ever-after.
Save a tear for me.
Ask for a moment to lament and grieve.
Save a Prince for her,
Wish for her to find the perfect and ideal match.
a Prince for her.
Hope that she will find her own fairytale ending.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.