Layton & Johnstone were an American vocal and piano duo in the 1920s and 19… Read Full Bio ↴Layton & Johnstone were an American vocal and piano duo in the 1920s and 1930s, consisting of Turner Layton and Clarence “Tandy” Johnstone. After forming in New York City in 1922, they moved to England two years later and met with immediate success. Between 1924 and 1935, they sold over 10 million records. They appeared at top venues in London, Paris and across Europe, and gave command performances for the British royal family on numerous occasions. They also appeared frequently on BBC Radio.

These Foolish Things
Layton & Johnstone Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Oh! Will you never let me be?
Oh! Will you never set me free?
The ties that bound us
Are still around us
There's no escape that I can see
And still those little things remain
That bring me happiness or pain

A cigarette that bears a lipstick's traces
An airline ticket to romantic places
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you
A tinkling piano in the next apartment
Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant
A fair ground's painted swings
These foolish things remind me of you
You came you saw you conquer'd me
When you did that to me
I knew somehow this had to be
The winds of March that make my heart a dancer
A telephone that rings but who's to answer?
Oh, how the ghost of you clings!
These foolish things remind me of you

First daffodils and long excited cables
And candle lights on little corner tables
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you
The park at evening when the bell has sounded
The "Ile de France" with all the gulls around it
The beauty that is Spring's
These foolish things remind me of you
How strange how sweet to find you still
These things are dear to me
They seem to bring you near to me
The sigh of midnight trains in empty stations
Silk stockings thrown aside dance invitations
Oh, how the ghost of you clings!
These foolish things remind me of you

Gardenia perfume ling'ring on a pillow
Wild strawb'ries only seven francs a kilo
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you
The smile of Garbo and the scent of roses
The waiters whistling as the last bar closes
The song that Crosby sings
These foolish things remind me of you
How strange how sweet to find you still
These things are dear to me
They seem to bring you near to me
The scent of smould'ring leaves, the wail of steamers
Two lovers on the street who walk like dreamers

Oh, how the ghost of you clings!
These foolish things remind me of you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Layton & Johnstone's song "These Foolish Things" convey a deep sense of longing, nostalgia, and heartache over a lost love. The singer expresses a desperate plea to be set free from the ties that still bind them to their past relationship, unable to escape the memories that continue to haunt them. Despite the pain and happiness intertwined in these memories, they cannot shake the emotional connection to their former lover.

The imagery in the lyrics paints a vivid picture of the various triggers that evoke memories of the lost love. From a cigarette bearing lipstick traces to an airline ticket to romantic places, each mention of "foolish things" serves as a potent reminder of the person who once held their heart. The sounds of a tinkling piano, stumbling words of heartfelt confession, and the sights of a fairground's swings all symbolize the romantic moments shared with their beloved.

The singer reflects on the significant moments shared with their lover, from the first daffodils of spring to candlelit dinners and the beauty of the changing seasons. Each mention of these seemingly mundane details holds a deep emotional significance, representing the longing and yearning for the presence of their lost love. The lyrics convey a sense of melancholy and bittersweet reminiscence as the singer navigates through the memories that continue to linger.

The final verses of the song delve into specific sensory triggers that evoke memories of the lost love, from gardenia perfume on a pillow to the scent of smoldering leaves. The mention of iconic figures like Garbo and Crosby, along with everyday sights and sounds, serves to reinforce the depth of the emotional connection that still exists. The lyrics capture the essence of holding onto treasured memories as a way to keep the spirit of the past love alive, even as they acknowledge the ghostly presence that lingers in their heart.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Law

16y↑9

This is the lovely Turner Layton recording of These Foolish Things (he sings and accompanies himself at the piano). It has nothing to do with Carroll Gibbons (although Gibbons also recorded the song with his Savoy Orpheans). Turner Layton was once part of a duo called Layton and Johnston, which was hugely popular in the 1920s and 30s and sold millions of records.

Mr. Red

I like you

Meredith Foster

14y

1930s elegance and style encapsulated in this performance. A delightful vocal reminder of a bygone era.

DavidKeith Jones

15y↑3

Beautiful sung and enunciated in the English style. The voice is rich in all registers but never overstates ***** Thanks for posting

ddkoda

13y↑5

An era of charm, grace and elegance nearly forgotten in today's world.

HMVgramophone130

9y↑6

Heavenly song! Thanks for sharing it.

Jourwalis -

5y↑1

A truly wonderful song.

barbcard

17y↑3

Sweet nostalgia. Reminds me of my long ago college days, cashmere sweaters, strings of pearls, camel's hair coats, and nothing more pressing than an essay due for English class...

Paul Herring

13y

Just marvellous! Carroll Gibbons as leader surely was one of the best orchestras whether with the Savoy Hotel Orpheans or His Boyfriends (how that sounds odd today!)

Efailwen

11y↑2

Just beautiful.Wonderful memories of my dear old Dads piano playing. Thank you.

saxondog2001

14y

I love this song! It can jerk a tear like no other song can. Thanks for posting this ... and all the other wonderful renderings. Brian

tsnrhm

16y

A nice little piece of cultural history. Thanks of posting.

Roger York

16y

I know I commented on this a month ago, but I wanted to say that I have come back to this record more than any other in my favorites or subscriptions.

Pete Jones

10y

love the haunting sound of gibbons playing. wish i was there to listern in person. thank goodness for recorded music.

Hugh Earl

7y↑3

Splendid version and it is not Carroll Gibbons but as has been previously said it is Turner Layton, the other half of Layton and Johnson.
Just listen to the diction, it is perfect.

The Hooley's

16y↑1

What is it about ths music! It just warms the heart and uplifts the spirit!

CvBsTube

12y

How wonderful! Thank you!! :-)

Roger York

17y

Sounds like he's been listening to Hutch. Hutch does a very similar version of this song. Wonderful wonderful record.

Michael Kennedy

Now thats the way this Classic should be translated!!!

Michael Gross

It's a shame that John Turner Layton, Jr doesn't get the credit for this piece but it is the African-American, Turner Layton(as he was known professionally) who is the artist on this recording. Born in Washington, D C 1894, died in London, U K, 1978. He also co- wrote the song, "After You've Gone".

Wengi Lee

16y

GORGEOUS !

dick12235

9y↑5

Thanks again for this wonderful Treat.

TigerCool

16y

this song is actually writen by a BBC director, for a Asian American actress named Anna May Wong in the early century.

Adam and Karan

11y

beautiful

peedutt

13y

What would the world be like without music and literature ?

Frederico Porto

12y

Excellent my friend!!

Paul Herring

11y↑1

I personally think this is a better version of the more well-known Artie Shaw version.

Chris Wilson

11y

Yes - Turner Layton. Never saw him or Hutch, but I have slight preference for TL.

Michael Law

16y↑1

Yes, the Australian Brian Lawrence does sing on Carroll Gibbons 1936 recording of These Foolish Things, but this isn't it! This is Turner Layton's recording. I have an acetate of Turner Layton singing this on air c.1936, which once belonged to the composer Jack Strachey. Perhaps it was written for Turner Layton?

orlando gibbons

13y

i think you might give a young hutch some credit on here..

Dr Dog

12y

Turner Layton, I have the 78rpm.

Argent Beard

7y↑1

So very true...

ImAMassiveBender

11y

Nice but in all the old-timey stills there were no photos of Anna May Wong, who the song is about.

Ian Blakesley

8y↑1

I believe this classic song was written by Eric Maschwitz, later of BBC fame.

Ian Blakesley

8y↑1

I did not realise before how this classic song was inspired. Thank you so much.

bingola45

8y↑1

Head of Variety at the BBC. He had just returned from the USA, and an encounter with the delightful Anna May Wong.
Nice to have a song based on a writer's actual experience, in this era of 'tin pan alley' mass production.

dick12235

10y↑1

Thanks: My Brain needed this.

Le Caprice

I feel that Greta Keller holds the edge as a preferred interpretation, but this is most pleasant.

Read Greyer

I agree very much!!

bingola45

Hutch made the song popular, and for me, his is the definitive rendering.

rgsfield

16y

The ship was rented to the movie makers by the Japanese scrappers, who'd purchased Ile de France for recycling after it was taken out of UK service. After the film work was completed it was re-floated and dismantled in Japan, the fate most old ocean liners. You won't find it in California, except made into older Datsuns & Toyotas.

Chris Wilson

9y↑7

This is unquestionably Turner Layton (vocal and piano), recorded 3 January 1936 on Columbia. Carroll Gibbons doesn't come into it. We've now waited 7 years for this mistake to be corrected.

theuofc

7y↑2

No need to apologize. I'm grateful for all the wonderful old clips you share.

mdebailes

7y↑3

240252 ~ dunno who Chris Wilson is and what he's done for anyone else - bit of pompous git really - I note he uses the royal "we" ~ doesn't have the courage to say "I" ~ anyway thanks for talking the trouble to put it up Gibbons or no :)

240252

9y↑9

Im sorry about my neglectance. But, you see, I have nearly 2000 clips uploaded in this channell and it is sometimes a real problem for a single person who does all that as a hobby during the short free hours from everyday professional duties, to look after each item from that rather large herd. I am immediately correcting the misteke I made several years ago and I believe, my quick action finally soothes your irritated nerves. All I count on is, it was not a deadly sin I commited, was it?

Peter Peter and his Uploads

7y↑2

100% Turner Layton. Yes, Chris Wilson. Layton and Clarence Johnstone were a big act in the 20's and 30's in Europe. Clarence Johnstone had an affair with a white woman and it caused a big scandal, and the act broke up in 1935. Look for Layton's Top Hat Medley. Now, I must even ask, is this Carroll Gibbons whatsoever? Layton played piano. As did Gibbons. But there is no orchestra here.