Fool That I Am
JAMES Etta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For falling in love with you.
And a, fool that I am,
For thinking you loved me, too.
You took my heart,
Then played the part of little coquette.
And, all my dreams just disappeared
Fool that I am,
For hoping you'd understand.
And thinking you
Would listen, too,
And, oh, the things I had planned.
But we couldn't see eye to eye
So, darling, darling, darling,
This is goodbye.
But I still care, but I still care,
And oh, fool that I am.
Oh, but I still care,
Fool that I am.
In "Fool That I Am," James Etta sings about falling in love with someone who didn't reciprocate her feelings. She describes herself as a fool for believing that she could have a meaningful relationship with this person. The lyrics suggest that the person she loved was a player who took advantage of her vulnerability, leaving her heartbroken and disillusioned.
Etta's use of the word "coquette" in the second verse is telling, as it emphasizes that the person she loved was simply playing a game with her. She also laments the loss of her dreams and the dashed hopes she had for her future with this person. Despite the pain of the breakup, she still cares for them, illustrating the lingering feelings that often accompany heartbreak.
The song's raw emotion and relatable lyrics have made it a classic in the realm of soul and blues music. Its universal themes of heartbreak and vulnerability have resonated with generations of listeners, cementing its place in the canon of beloved love songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Fool that I am,
I am a foolish person because of my actions in relation to falling in love with you.
For falling in love with you.
I have fallen in love with you, even though it may not have been the wisest decision to make.
And a, fool that I am,
I continue to be foolish, as I believed that you loved me too.
For thinking you loved me, too.
I assumed that you returned my feelings of love, but I now realize that I was mistaken.
You took my heart,
You have captured my heart and emotions.
Then played the part of little coquette.
You presented a flirtatious and insincere persona towards me.
And, all my dreams just disappeared
All the hopes and aspirations I had for our relationship vanished suddenly.
Like the smoke from a cigarette.
As quickly as smoke dissipates into the air, my dreams vanished similarly without much warning.
Fool that I am,
Once again, I display my foolishness by believing you would understand my feelings for you.
For hoping you'd understand.
I had hoped that you would empathize and relate to how I felt about you, but this was an unrealistic expectation.
And thinking you
I had faith that you were capable of listening and engaging in dialogue with me about our relationship.
Would listen, too,
I hoped that you would hear me out and provide me with the input or guidance I was seeking.
And, oh, the things I had planned.
I had envisioned a future with you and made plans around this vision, which remain unfulfilled.
But we couldn't see eye to eye
We were unable to come to a mutual understanding or agreement.
So, darling, darling, darling,
Even though I still feel affectionate towards you,
This is goodbye.
I must let go of our relationship, as it can no longer continue in the way I had hoped.
But I still care, but I still care,
Despite the end of our relationship, I still feel affection towards you.
And oh, fool that I am.
As I continue to love someone who hurt me and cannot return my feelings, I acknowledge that I am still a fool.
Oh, but I still care,
Regardless of everything, I cannot stop caring for you.
Fool that I am.
Once again, I am displaying my foolishness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Floyd Hunt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
b•
Lyrics:
Fool that I am,
For falling in love with you.
And a, fool that I am,
For thinking you loved me, too.
You took my heart,
Then played the part of little coquette.
And, all my dreams just disappeared
Like the smoke from a cigarette.
Fool that I am,
For hoping you'd understand.
And thinking you
Would listen, too,
And, oh, the things I had planned.
But we couldn't see eye to eye
So, darling, darling, darling,
This is goodbye.
But I still care, but I still care,
And oh, fool that I am.
Oh, but I still care,
Fool that I am.
Herbert de Medeiros
This is one of the saddest and most beautiful songs ever written. You can feel the heartache she feels for loving someone that didn't love her back. You can sense the deception and the cracks she collected inside. This song is a letter from a shredded heart to itself...
June Asiimwe
Wow, you worded that feeling beautifully.
murp h
Excellent analysis of a great song
Song Bird
I totally agree
Ms. Medusa
I’ve never been one to cry at movies or in front of people unless it’s someone I love or family but music is something else and this song will forever speak to me. Forever Etta James. Rest In Peace♥️
murp h
Indeed she was and is a wonderful vocalist
b•
Lyrics:
Fool that I am,
For falling in love with you.
And a, fool that I am,
For thinking you loved me, too.
You took my heart,
Then played the part of little coquette.
And, all my dreams just disappeared
Like the smoke from a cigarette.
Fool that I am,
For hoping you'd understand.
And thinking you
Would listen, too,
And, oh, the things I had planned.
But we couldn't see eye to eye
So, darling, darling, darling,
This is goodbye.
But I still care, but I still care,
And oh, fool that I am.
Oh, but I still care,
Fool that I am.
Jenijo's Art-capades Online Gallery
We have lost the age.. when raw talent.. untouched vocals.. have been in touch with the human spirit... Etta James epitomized the deep recesses of a woman's heart.
lepoetress
This is why and how I fell in love with her as a little girl. LOVED how she sang the stew outta this song and the raw emotion that you hear in her voice ..... priceless!!! LOVE and miss her.
Gabriel Sanz
The best vocalist in history. Etta I love you!