Fate Of A Fool
J.J. Cale Lyrics


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Spending my life in a cold hard bar-room
Drinking that long black whisky down
I play the guitar, for me it's a living
Well, I know, just a hanging-around
Dancing girls, oh, they drive me crazy
All they want is a fancy name
Don't you know is I might not make it
That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
Yeah, been down to the palace of pleasure
Honky-tonk, where I come from
Smoke's so thick I can't imagine
Wine flows fast by the rule of a gun
One of these mornings it'll come up Sunday
I won't have a good time again
That time ain't now, it's a whole new dream
That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
One more night, one more dollar
One more song, can you do it again
I don't know, I may not make it




That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man

Overall Meaning

In J.J. Cale's song "Fate Of A Fool," the lyrics depict the life of a musician constantly traveling from bar to bar, playing the guitar to make a living. The singer spends his life in a cold bar-room, drinking whiskey and playing the guitar. He is surrounded by dancing girls, but he acknowledges that they are just after a fancy name. He recognizes that he may not make it as a musician, and this is the fate of a fool and a guitar man.


The singer has been down to the palace of pleasure, the honky-tonk where he comes from. The smoke is so thick he can't imagine, and the wine flows fast by the rule of a gun. He knows that one day, he won't have a good time again. But for now, it's a whole new dream, and he continues to play for one more night, for one more dollar, and one more song. He acknowledges that he may not make it, but this is the fate of a fool and a guitar man.


The lyrics of "Fate Of A Fool" portray the harsh realities of the life of a traveling musician. Despite the glamour often associated with the profession, the song reminds us that it's not always a glamorous life. The singer recognizes the fleeting nature of success in the music industry and that, ultimately, it may not lead to riches or fame.


Line by Line Meaning

Spending my life in a cold hard bar-room
I am wasting my life in a dingy bar, doing the same thing every day.


Drinking that long black whisky down
I am drinking my sorrows away with cheap whiskey.


I play the guitar, for me it's a living
I make a living by playing the guitar.


Well, I know, just a hanging-around
I know that I am just passing time, not really living.


Dancing girls, oh, they drive me crazy
The dancing girls in the bar distract me from my worries.


All they want is a fancy name
The dancing girls only care about money and status.


Don't you know I might not make it
I am aware that my career as a musician may not be successful.


That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
Being a struggling musician is the unfortunate fate of someone like me.


Yeah, been down to the palace of pleasure
I have been to many bars and clubs seeking pleasure and distraction.


Honky-tonk, where I come from
I come from a place where honky-tonks (bars) are common.


Smoke's so thick I can't imagine
The air in these bars is so smoky that it's hard to breathe.


Wine flows fast by the rule of a gun
Alcohol flows freely, and sometimes violently, in these places.


One of these mornings it'll come up Sunday
Eventually, I will have to face reality and my past actions will catch up with me.


I won't have a good time again
Once I face my reality, I won't be able to enjoy life like I do now.


That time ain't now, it's a whole new dream
Right now, I am living in a dreamland, but eventually I will have to wake up and face the real world.


One more night, one more dollar
I am seeking temporary pleasure by playing one more gig, for one more night of income.


One more song, can you do it again
I am hoping that by playing one more song, I can keep the dream alive for just a little while longer.


I don't know, I may not make it
I am uncertain if my career as a musician will be successful or not.


That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
The uncertain fate of a musician like myself is often fraught with disappointment and financial hardship.


That's the fate of a fool and a guitar man
Being a struggling musician with an uncertain future is something that many people can relate to.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J. J. CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

matt bluesmain

perfect great version
whisper vocal big reverb
amazing guitar
seems a rare cut
one to play for peeps who say WHO ?

Michael Lowry

JJ lives on and will for generations until the human species (of which he was one of the best) hits the end of the cul-de-sac...

Werner Maertens

We have lost a Great Musician,and Indeed a Great man.... R.I.P JJ CALE . Werner Maertens- wmmusic

Roy Strickland

The man, JJ CALE.

Robert Weldon

Here again, who else sounds like this, and years later? It's a guy known for his story telling, the whispering voice, and the superb guitar riffs. Why Its Mr. Mark Knolfer. Who'd a thunk it? I don't want to sound rude here. I just know that J.J. Cale has been must important to me in my musical life. The power in his words and the sound of his guitar , pull emotions out of me as no other can. God, I sure miss him being with us.

kipponi

Yeah and he was a man whom everyone wants to be their pal.

john emeigh

lovely sound.

Blues Rain

wonderfull!

Samy Dylan

rip jj we love you

marshall jones

we have lost a great man

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