The Fool
Lee Ann Womack Lyrics


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You don't know me but I know who you are
Mind if I sit down
Do I look familiar if I don't well I should
I'm sure you've seen me around
I know you've probably heard my name
Though we've not been introduced
I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you

If you've got a minute I'll buy you a drink
I've got something to say
It might sound crazy but last night in his sleep
I heard him call out your name
This ain't the first time he's done it before
And it's hard to face the truth
I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you

I know love is a fragile thing
And I'm trying hard to make it last
But it ain't easy holding on to my dream
When he's holding on to the past

Just one more thing before I go
I'm not here to put you down
You don't love him and that's a fact
Girl I've seen you around
But you hold his heart in the palm of your hand
And it's breaking mine in two
'Cause I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you





I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lee Ann Womack's song The Fool describe a woman's attempt to warn another woman about her troubled relationship. The first verse establishes the singer as unknown to the woman she is addressing, but provides enough information to suggest that they have a connection through association. This connection is that they are both in love with the same man. The singer, who we can assume is the man's girlfriend or wife, tries to start a conversation with the other woman, opening with an invitation to sit down and a brief introduction of herself. She then conveys that she is aware of the other woman's presence in the man's life, although she is a stranger to her.


In the second verse, the singer gets to the purpose of her visit, which is to relay the unsettling experience she had the previous night. She hears the man call out the other woman's name in his sleep, which leads to the assumption that he is still in love with her. The man's girlfriend or wife admits that this is not a new occurrence and, despite trying to hold on to their relationship, she is struggling to compete with the man's past love. In the final verse, the singer clarifies that she is not there to judge or accuse the other woman, but simply to express her own suffering in this love triangle. She acknowledges that the other woman doesn't reciprocate the man's love and gently reminds her of her power over his heart, suggesting that she release him if she truly doesn't want him, so that the three involved can move on.


Interestingly, the song's narrator is not a bystander but is instead a character who is experiencing the negative effects of infidelity. This adds a level of complexity and relatability to the song that resonates with many listeners. The song also features traditional country instrumentation, including acoustic guitar, fiddle, and steel guitar, which complements the melancholic tone of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't know me but I know who you are
Although we have not yet met, I am familiar with your identity.


Mind if I sit down
May I join you and have a conversation?


Do I look familiar if I don't well I should
If you don't recognize me, you should because we move in the same social circles.


I'm sure you've seen me around
I am confident that you have spotted me before.


I know you've probably heard my name
Likewise, I assume that you have heard about me.


Though we've not been introduced
Despite the lack of proper acquaintance between us.


I'm the fool in love with the fool
I am the one who loves the person who is foolishly in love with you.


Who's still in love with you
He is still holding onto his affection for you.


If you've got a minute I'll buy you a drink
If you could spare a moment, let me treat you to a beverage.


I've got something to say
I have a message to convey and it may be difficult to hear.


It might sound crazy but last night in his sleep
Probably an odd thing to say, but while he was asleep last night...


I heard him call out your name
I distinctly heard him speak your name.


This ain't the first time he's done it before
This is not a new occurrence and has happened multiple times.


And it's hard to face the truth
The realization is difficult to accept and understand.


I know love is a fragile thing
I am aware that love is delicate and can be easily damaged.


And I'm trying hard to make it last
I am putting forth a genuine effort to maintain our relationship.


But it ain't easy holding on to my dream
However, it is extremely difficult to hold onto my aspirations.


When he's holding on to the past
Especially since he is stuck on the memories of the past.


Just one more thing before I go
Before leaving, there is one last topic I need to discuss.


I'm not here to put you down
I do not intend to criticize or belittle you.


You don't love him and that's a fact
It is a truth that you do not have romantic feelings for him.


Girl I've seen you around
I have witnessed you in various places.


But you hold his heart in the palm of your hand
Despite your lack of true feelings for him, you have a significant grip on his heart.


And it's breaking mine in two
This situation is causing me immense heartbreak and emotional pain.


'Cause I'm the fool in love with the fool
I am the lovesick individual who fell for the person foolish enough to still be in love with you.


Who's still in love with you
Even though you do not share the same feelings, he remains devoted to you.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BUDDY CANNON, STEVE NOBLES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Laura Lee

You don't know me but I know who you are
Mind if I sit down
Do I look familiar if I don't well I should
I'm sure you've seen me around
I know you've probably heard my name
Though we've not been introduced
I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you
If you've got a minute I'll buy you a drink
I've got something to say
It might sound crazy but last night in his sleep
I heard him call out your name
This ain't the first time he's done it before
And it's hard to face the truth
I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you
I know love is a fragile thing
And I'm trying hard to make it last
But it ain't easy holding on to my dream
When he's holding on to the past
Just one more thing before I go
I'm not here to put you down
You don't love him and that's a fact
Girl I've seen you around
But you hold his heart in the palm of your hand
And it's breaking mine in two
'Cause I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you
I'm the fool in love with the fool
Who's still in love with you



Marymoo88

It's kinda funny and poetic, that this was my first favorite country song. Lol.

When the reality is, this was sort of me and my husband when we first started dating, and a tiny bit into our early marriage, but not very long.

You see, his bestfriend, when we started dating, was his ex-girlfriend. The funny thing was, within a few months of meeting her, she and I became friends and then bestfriends, which only made things more awkward for all of us, and my hidden jealousy back then.

My love is not fragile tho, it's strong and loyal, and eventually, over time he fully overcame this stage. It was a long ride to it, but we all knew from the beginning that he was mine.

She also told me in the beginning that she didn't love him anymore, and questioned how I could still love him, while he and I were on a break after his dad died. I told her that I knew God ment him for me, and I clung to that truth.

She's still my bestfriend, and he will always be my Husband.
In Conclusion:
Did my heart break numerous times? Yes. Was the pain worth it? Yes. Would I go back and do it all again? Yes, because he's my promise from God and I love him.



All comments from YouTube:

Mrs. Frankenstein

She has one of the most beautiful voices. This is when music was real

Roger Barrett

Going back to 1997, this song is an absolute classic! I wish today's country music was still as great and real as it was in the '90s. It was enjoyable and worth listening to back then. The country music of today is a colossal mess!

Nash Burnette

"I Hope You Dance" is her biggest hit,
but "The Fool" is Lee Ann Womack's
best song.

Nash Burnette

So I have a notification that
Lee Ann Womack herself
responded to me,
but there's no reply here ???

Nash Ville

Now this is when country music was great with great artist like Lee Ann... We need this again

Aliandtosha

I have always loved this song.

Michelle Davidson

I love this song. I wish country music was still this good.

Stevie Watts Music

Very well written song. Great vocal performance.

Joe P

Absolutely love this song. This was the era of great female country singers. Too many to list.

Suzanna Vanchhawng

This song was my lullaby when I was a junior in my college days from my senior back in 2014 😊
It's a song that made me cry a lot sometimes but it's worth it... My senior pours out her feelings with this song😊

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