Be Careful With a Fool
Johnny Winter Lyrics

Johnny Winter's song Be Careful With a Fool is a cautionary tale about loving a foolish person. The opening line advises the listener to be careful with a fool because someday they may become wise and realize the error of their ways. The fool will act cool and aloof at first, but eventually, they will hurt the listener to their core. Winter then reflects on his own past foolishness in loving someone who did not reciprocate his affections. He remembers the pain he felt as he cried and walked the streets at night, longing for his lover to treat him right. The song ends with Winter acknowledging the end of the relationship and asking his lover to forgive him for his sins.

One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written by a blues pianist named Roosevelt Sykes in 1936. Winter covered the song on his eponymous debut album in 1969. The song's lyrics have been covered by several other artists over the years, including B.B. King and Eric Clapton. The song's message of caution in love has resonated with listeners for decades. Another interesting fact is that Winter's guitar playing on the song is often cited as one of the best examples of his blues style, with his distorted, aggressive solo becoming a hallmark of his sound.

Another interesting fact about the song is that Winter recorded it during his time with Columbia Records, which was a departure from his previous label, Imperial Records. Columbia was known for its commitment to producing music that would stand the test of time, which helped cement Be Careful With a Fool as a classic blues song. The song's success helped Winter become one of the most sought-after blues guitarists of his time, and he went on to record several more albums that cemented his status as a blues icon.