Tomlinson did not study music formally until well into his 20s. He played saxophone and ran a band as a hobby whilst studying for his degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University College, Oxford. It was only after graduating and finding himself drawn to London ’s jazz scene that he enrolled at the Guildhall School Of Music in 1990. It was at the Guildhall that his musical and romantic relationship with Stacey blossomed.
Since then, Tomlinson has worked in a wide variety of groups, from Brian Ferry to experimental big band composer, Michael Garrick. His own quartet has appeared at clubs and festivals across Europe. Most recently, he has toured almost exclusively with Stacey in Europe, USA and the Far East, reserving time to perform in a quintet dedicated to the music of Lester Young with fellow saxophonist and Guildhall graduate, Mark Crooks.
When not performing, Jim shares his passion for skiing with Stacey, a sport at which they both excel. Only touring commitments in Japan in March 2006 prevented them from racing in the Nastar US Championships for which they both qualified this season.
Tomlinson’s most recent CD, The Lyric (2005) features Stacey Kent extensively and is the first release on his own record label, Token. The album recently hit the charts in Poland, France, Spain, Hong Kong and the UK. The Lyric featuring Stacey Kent has also just been awarded "Album of the Year" at the 2006 BBC Jazz Awards, announced 13th July 2006.
The Lyric will be released in the USA in September 2006.
Fools Rush In
Jim Tomlinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to say
A game I thought I'd never play
"Romance is a game for fools"
I said and grinned
Then you passed by
And here am I
Throwing caution to the wind
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
And so I come to you, my love, my heart above my head.
Though I see the danger there
If there's a chance for me, then I don't care
Mm-mm-mm-mm
Fools rush in where wise men never go
But wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
When we met, I felt my life begin
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
Fools rush in where wise men never, never, never go
Eh, but wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
Ah, when we met, girl, I felt my life begin
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
Just open up your heart and let this fool rush on in
Just open up your heart because I-I-I-I-I-I-I am coming in
Open up your heart and let this fool rush in!!
The first verse of Jim Tomlinson's "Fools Rush In" sets up the idea of romance being a foolish game, one that the singer initially claimed to want no part of. They then admit that their mindset changed when they crossed paths with someone who caught their eye. The chorus reflects the feelings of being head-over-heels in love, acknowledging the potential risks in doing so - "fools rush in where angels fear to tread". Despite this, the singer is willing to take that leap of faith because of their love for the other person.
The second verse expands on the theme of the risks involved in love. The singer acknowledges that wise men never fall in love, because they are too cautious and logical to allow themselves to be vulnerable. However, the singer believes that the reward of finding true love is worth the risk. The bridge in the middle of the song reinforces this idea, with the singer expressing their belief that meeting their significant other was the moment their life truly began. The final chorus is an invitation for the other person to let the singer in, to allow themselves to be vulnerable and experience the joys of love, even if it means taking a risk.
Overall, "Fools Rush In" is a love song that acknowledges the potential dangers of falling in love, but celebrates the idea that taking a risk and following your heart can lead to great rewards.
Line by Line Meaning
Romance is a game for fools
I used to believe that romance is not something that should be taken seriously.
A game I thought I'd never play
I never thought that I would be interested in playing the game of love.
Romance is a game for fools. I said and grinned
I used to laugh at the idea of people falling in love and thought it was foolish.
Then you passed by. And here am I. Throwing caution to the wind
But then I met you, and my whole worldview changed. Now, I'm willing to take risks and be spontaneous in love.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
People who are foolish will jump into situations without considering the risks or consequences.
And so I come to you, my love, my heart above my head.
I know that pursuing this love may not be the smartest decision, but I can't help how I feel about you.
Though I see the danger there. If there's a chance for me, then I don't care
I am well aware of the potential risks and dangers that come with this relationship, but I am still willing to take the chance because my feelings for you are strong.
Fools rush in where wise men never go
People who are wise or cautious will not take impulsive risks in love that could cause harm or heartbreak.
But wise men never fall in love, so how are they to know?
People who are wise often avoid love and are therefore unable to fully understand the experience, including the risks involved.
When we met, I felt my life begin
Meeting you was a turning point in my life, and I feel like everything started when we began our relationship.
So open up your heart and let this fool rush in
I'm asking you to be open to my love and accept the fact that I might be impulsive and foolish at times, but my feelings for you are genuine.
Just open up your heart and let this fool rush on in. Just open up your heart because I-I-I-I-I-I-I am coming in. Open up your heart and let this fool rush in!!
I am so passionate about my feelings for you that I will keep asking you to let me into your heart. My love may be foolish, but I promise to always be sincere.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER, RUBE BLOOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind