The band was formed in 1990 by Greg Mckenna and Kay Hanley, from ashes of their former band, Rebbecca Lula. After numerous member changes, the classic Letters to Cleo line-up was solidified. They included Hanley and Mckenna, Mike Eisenstein on guitar, Stacy Jones on drums and Scott Riebling on bass. After years of playing the Boston club circuit, including TT The Bears Place and The Rathskellar, Letters released their first full length record, Aurora Gory Alice on CherryDisc in 1993.
The album received extensive airplay around the region and after a much hyped show at South by Southwest in Austin, Letters to Cleo signed a major label record deal with Giant Records and Aurora Gory Alice was re-released worldwide.
They had their first big hit single with "Here & Now" and the song would later appear on the Melrose Place soundtrack, where it got most of its exposure. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Singles chart. Appearances on Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart followed.
In 1995, Wholesale Meats and Fish was released and followed by extensive tours with Our Lady Peace, Sponge, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and others. The single "Awake" was released and achieved moderate rotation on alternative radio. The band also recorded a cover of The Cars song "The Dangerous Type" for the major motion picture, The Craft.
In 1997, Stacy Jones left the band to join Veruca Salt and was replaced by Tom Polce. That same year, LTC's third album "Go" was released. After a short tour, Polce left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Sutter. In late 1997, Letters to Cleo parted ways with their record label Giant/Revolution.
1998 saw the release of some early demos and B-sides in the form of the "Sister" EP on Wicked Disc.
Letters to Cleo appeared in the film 10 Things I Hate about You in 1999 (one of the characters considers them a favorite band). They contributed three songs to the soundtrack for the film, including one original track, "Come On", a Cheap Trick cover ("I Want You to Want Me") and a Nick Lowe cover ("Cruel to Be Kind"). Whereas the covers appeared on the film's sountrack, "Come On" did not. It was released as an MP3 downloadable from the Band's website. During that same year, LTC opened for Cheap Trick at The Paradise club in Boston.
The band played its last show on May 4, 2000, a benefit for their friend and longtime local supporter, Mikey D. They announced their disbandment in the Boston Globe the following month. Most of the band members are now involved in solo careers. Most notable is Kay Hanley's career, which produced the album "Cherry Marmalade in 2002 and the EP The Babydoll EP in 2004. Hanley also provided the singing voice for the Josie character in the 2001 motion picture Josie and the Pussycats.
Former drummer Stacy Jones went on to form American Hi-Fi with fellow Boston musicians Drew Parsons, Jamie Arentzen and Brian Nolan.
Scott Riebling went into the production side of music and is now a highly sought after producer and engineer.
Co-founding member Greg McKenna is currently finishing work on his solo project, Murder Capitol of the World. The debut album is due in 2007.
I'm a Fool
Letters to Cleo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I never said I did
And now that I'm a moving target
With nothing to admit
What will I find
When I cross that line
For now it's fine,
Though it would be a kick to get my way
I hardly ever do
And the closest that I ever get
Is nothing on you
Like what happened when I said you'd never go
But now I know that
[Chorus]
I'm a fool
To think that you
Could ever be that true
So you decide
I'm not a child
And somehow I'll get by
Now just think for a minute what you say
And then about what you've done
And I'll think about your other girls
And how I want to be the only one
Make a plan
And figure out where you stand
And see it through
Just make your move
[Chorus]
I don't care what you say
I don't care what you do
Just make it me
The lyrics to Letters to Cleo's song I'm a Fool describe the singer's feelings of uncertainty in a relationship. The opening lines express a desire to know everything, but an acknowledgment that the singer does not. The second line, "And now that I'm a moving target with nothing to admit," suggests that the singer is on the defensive, possibly anticipating accusations or questions that they do not know how to answer. The singer goes on to wonder what will happen when they cross the line, but for now is content with saying goodnight.
In the next verse, the singer reflects on how they rarely get their way in the relationship. They mention a past event where they said the other person would never leave, but now they know otherwise. The chorus then states that the singer is a fool for believing that the other person could ever truly be committed to them, but that they will somehow get by.
The final verse suggests that the singer is beginning to assert themselves more in the relationship. They tell the other person to think about what they've said and done, and mention that they will be thinking about the other person's other romantic interests. The singer then encourages the other person to make a move and figure out where they stand. The final chorus reinforces the idea that the singer wants to be the only one and is willing to stand up for themselves to make it happen.
Overall, the lyrics to I'm a Fool show the singer's conflicting emotions of desire for commitment and fear of vulnerability. They are trying to find a way to navigate their feelings, while also expressing their wants and needs in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
It would be nice to know everything,
I desire to have complete knowledge and comprehension, however, I am aware that I do not possess it.
But I never said I did
I never claimed to have all the answers.
And now that I'm a moving target
I am now in a precarious situation where I am vulnerable to unexpected outcomes.
With nothing to admit
I have not done anything wrong to confess.
What will I find
What will I discover?
When I cross that line
When I explore beyond the boundaries of my current situation.
For now it's fine,
For the time being, it is acceptable.
Just say goodnight
Let us simply part ways for the evening.
Though it would be a kick to get my way
It would give me pleasure to obtain what I desire.
I hardly ever do
It is rare that I get what I want.
And the closest that I ever get
The nearest I have come to attaining my desires.
Is nothing on you
Still leaves me with nothing.
Like what happened when I said you'd never go
Similar to when I believed that you would never leave my side.
But now I know that
However, I am now aware.
I'm a fool
I am foolish.
To think that you
To believe that you.
Could ever be that true
Actually possessed that level of devotion towards me.
So you decide
It is up to you to determine.
I'm not a child
I am not a juvenile.
And somehow I'll get by
In some way, I will manage to survive.
Now just think for a minute what you say
Take a moment to contemplate before speaking.
And then about what you've done
And then ponder over your actions.
And I'll think about your other girls
Meanwhile, I will be considering the other women in your life.
And how I want to be the only one
And how I desire to be the sole recipient of your affection.
Make a plan
Formulate a strategy.
And figure out where you stand
Determine your position on the matter.
And see it through
Follow through with your plan.
Just make your move
Act upon your decision.
I don't care what you say
I am indifferent to your words.
I don't care what you do
I am also indifferent to your actions.
Just make it me
Just choose me over all the others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREG MCKENNA, SCOTT RIEBLING, KAY HANLEY, MICHAEL EISENSTEIN, TOM POLCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind