El… Read Full Bio ↴Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.
Elling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1989. He then enrolled in The University of Chicago's Divinity School and remained a student there until January 1992, when he left school one credit short of graduation.
In the last decade, Elling has released seven albums for the Blue Note label. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians, including David Amram, Bob Belden, Joanne Brackeen, Oscar Brown, Jr., Billy Corgan, Orbert Davis, George Freeman, Buddy Guy, Jon Hendricks, Charlie Hunter and Rex Richardson.
As of late 2005, Elling's current band includes Rob Amster on bass, Laurence Hobgood on piano, and Kobe Watkins on drums. He is regularly featured at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago.
Elling has won the Down Beat and JazzTimes critics’ polls three years in a row in the Best Male Singer category. He is also Vice Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the 17,000-member service organization that produces the annual Grammy Awards.
My Foolish Heart
Kurt Elling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beware my foolish heart
How white the ever constant moon
Take care my foolish heart
There's a line between love and fascination
That's hard to see, how many names such as this
For they both have the very same sensation
Her lips are much too close to mine
Beware my foolish heart
But should our eager lips combine
Then let the fire start
For this time it isn't fascination
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's love, this time it's love
My foolish heart
Kurt Elling's rendition of the song 'My Foolish Heart' is a beautiful and poetic depiction of the emotions that run through an individual's mind when they are swept up in the intensity of love. The lyrics evoke a sense of cautiousness and fear, as the individual is constantly reminded of the intensity of their feelings and the vulnerability that comes with opening oneself up to the possibility of heartbreak.
The opening lyrics, "The night is like a lovely tune, beware my foolish heart. How white the ever constant moon, take care my foolish heart," convey a sense of warning and trepidation, with the individual acknowledging their foolishness for surrendering themselves so completely to the whims of love. The following verse further highlight this sense of fear, as the individual struggles to distinguish between love and fascination, and the danger of being lost to the magic of a kiss.
The final verse, "For this time it isn't fascination, or a dream that will fade and fall apart. It's love, this time it's love, my foolish heart," is the climax of the song, as the individual finally comes to the realization that what they are feeling is true love. The repetition of the phrase 'my foolish heart' throughout the song serves as a reminder of the vulnerability and fragility of the human heart when it opens itself up to the prospect of love.
Line by Line Meaning
The night is like a lovely tune
The night has an appealing melody that is pleasing to the ears.
Beware my foolish heart
Be cautious and attentive towards the heart that has a tendency to fall irrationally in love.
How white the ever constant moon
The moon has a luminescent white light that's unchanging and eternal.
Take care my foolish heart
Guard your heart from falling into love traps that cause emotional pain and hurt.
There's a line between love and fascination
There's a thin line that separates love and obsession with someone or something.
That's hard to see, how many names such as this
Naming this feeling is tough, as it shares a similar sensation that makes it challenging to distinguish between various emotions.
For they both have the very same sensation
Both love and fascination possess the same feeling of admiration and infatuation.
When you're locked in the magic of a kiss
The sensation of being in love or fascinated with someone is so enchanting that you are mesmerized by it.
Her lips are much too close to mine
The lover's lips are dangerously close to mine, tempting the heart to fall into the depths of love.
But should our eager lips combine
However, if the eagerness of kissing is mutual, then let us be consumed by the passionate fire we will ignite.
Then let the fire start
At this moment, let us let go of all inhibitions and let the spark of desire inflame our hearts.
For this time it isn't fascination
This time, it's different from fascination; it's a real feeling that's genuine.
Or a dream that will fade and fall apart
It's not just a fantasy that will evaporate or disintegrate over time.
It's love, this time it's love
This feeling is the emotion of love, and it's strong and real.
My foolish heart
Despite the dangers, the heart chooses to be risk-taking and foolishly fall in love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ned Washington, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Pryor
It's one of the most remarkable, beautiful, rhapsodic, cultured, artistically superior performances of creative music I've heard in a long life of musical love, in reverence, keen learning, some devotion and submission. Bravo to all but especially to the bravura, distinguished singer, and pianist, Kurt and Laurence, plus the tasteful reserved accompaniment. Victor Young's beautiful song never fails to offer, to challenge, to please...
Steve Crozier
100% agree, Phil. This astounds me in so many ways: some small, some large. Spiritual.
Icarus Flying
Simply the best arrangement of this song and the addition of the old poem in the middle is perfect 👌
douxreveur131
This version is simply unheard of and I prefer it to the Live in Chicago CD. I can listen to it 20 times, each time the emotion and the thrill are intact. Kurt Elling is a fabulous artist. He is beautifully accompanied by Laurence Hobgood and his wonderful piano touch. A delight !
passionsf
his voice is fascinating. Watching him live, you can tell he loves jazz even after years of doing it. His band is incredible as well! Glad my friend told me about him recently.
Leslie Nelson
There are many who are called "jazz singers" but Kurt is "the jazz singer". This performance is simply magical, not the least because of the great Laurence Hobgood and the terrific musicians in the band. It is sad that Kurt and Laurence have parted ways. A great upload -thank you!
Sandra Seaton
He's a wonderful singer, but let's not forget Johnny Hartman, Billy Eckstine and a few others. Billy Eckstine owns "Foolish Heart."
Max Seep
They were very close and worked together for almost 20 years, maybe more. Friendship is not eternal..... :) Anyway, I do not know the real reasons of their split.
Miami Eyes ME
the split is a sad news for al lof us ,fans of this great guys
Shandi Kaufman
It's almost heartbreaking how talented he is. I'm sitting here with my hand over my heart because I'm afraid it will try to run away after hearing this! Amazing