Waltzing Fool
Lyle Lovett Lyrics


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The waltzing fool
He's got lights in his fingers
The waltzing fool
He just don't never say
The waltzing fool
He keeps his hands in his pockets
And waltzes the evening away
And it's a waltz to a woman
Who's lying beside him
It's a waltz to a face on the wall
When she's gone
It's a waltz to the rodeo
The damn thing it rides him
It's a waltz to a waltz

Now the waltzing fool
He just might be crazy
Because the waltzing fool
He keeps the moon in his car
And the waltzing fool
He says it's running
On waltzes and waltzes

And it's a waltz to a woman
Who's lying beside him
It's a waltz to a face on the wall
When she's gone
It's a waltz to the rodeo
The damn thing it rides him
It's a waltz to a waltz
Just a waltz to a waltz

Now the waltzing fool
They say he's been drinking
But the waltzing fool
He's just got mud on his shoes
And the waltzing fool
He knows they're all thinking
He's only an old waltzing fool

But the waltzing fool
He's got lights in his fingers
The waltzing fool
He just don't never say
The waltzing fool
He keeps his hands in his pockets
And waltzes the evening away
The waltzing fool




His hands in his pockets
He's waltzing the evening away

Overall Meaning

The song "The Waltzing Fool" by Lyle Lovett is a mystery, as it's not entirely clear what it is about. The lyrics tell a story about a man named the Waltzing Fool, who keeps his hands in his pockets and waltzes the night away, even when there's no music playing. This man seems deeply entrenched in waltzes, as he even claims the moon runs on them. He also waltzes to a woman next to him, a face on the wall, and even to the rodeo, which seems to ride him.


The repeated line "He just don't never say" could suggest that the Waltzing Fool keeps his thoughts and emotions hidden, which may indicate some underlying pain or suffering. There is speculation that the song is about Lovett himself, perhaps commenting on his fame or the toll it can take on a person's mental state. Whatever the true meaning is, the song's mysterious lyrics and haunting melody make for a compelling piece of music that leaves an impression on the listener.


Line by Line Meaning

The waltzing fool
Referring to a person who constantly waltzes through life


He's got lights in his fingers
He possesses an extraordinary talent, like dancing with ease


The waltzing fool
Repeating the reference to the person


He just don't never say
He does not speak much about his life or intentions


The waltzing fool
Once again referring to the person who is constantly waltzing


He keeps his hands in his pockets
He prefers to keep his hands to himself rather than engage in the world fully


And waltzes the evening away
He dances through his life, enjoying the rhythm and avoiding any emotional ties


And it's a waltz to a woman
The waltzing fool dances passionately, expressing his love for the woman lying beside him


Who's lying beside him
He shares his waltz with the woman who's close and intimate to him


It's a waltz to a face on the wall
He dances alone, reminiscing his love from a photograph or a face on the wall


When she's gone
He's longing for his love, who may be no longer in his life


It's a waltz to the rodeo
He loves the thrill and excitement of the rodeo, enjoying the music and dance


The damn thing it rides him
His passion for the rodeo consumes him, putting him in a trance-like state


It's a waltz to a waltz
He adores the pure joy of dancing to the music


Now the waltzing fool
The story continues with the consistent portrayal of the singer


He just might be crazy
He may be perceived as an eccentric person as he always waltzes his way through life


Because the waltzing fool
Expands on his eccentricity


He keeps the moon in his car
He likes to keep things of beauty close to him and a vivid imagination


And the waltzing fool
Continues from the previous statement about the eccentricity of the singer


He says it's running on waltzes and waltzes
He imagines that the moon operates through the music and dance of waltzes


Now the waltzing fool
Reiterating the consistent portrayal of the artists


They say he's been drinking
People gossip about him, saying he drinks despite the fact he only has dirty shoes


But the waltzing fool
With this statement, we learn that the gossipers may be wrong


He's just got mud on his shoes
The rumor of drinking is not true, it's just mud on his shoes


And the waltzing fool
Once again, referring to the singer


He knows they're all thinking
He is aware of the looks and stares of those who gossip about him


He's only an old waltzing fool
He is aware people think he is old and eccentric, only seeing him as a man who waltzes his way through life


But the waltzing fool
Referring to the artist


He's got lights in his fingers
He has a special talent, and this line is the repetition of a line used previously in the song


The waltzing fool
Refers to the singer


He just don't never say
He doesn't speak about himself but focuses on his passion for waltzing


The waltzing fool
Repeating the reference to the consistent portrayal of the artist


He keeps his hands in his pockets
He prefers not to get his hands dirty and avoids emotional connections


And waltzes the evening away
He continues his waltzing, enjoying the passion and rhythm of the dance


The waltzing fool
Continuing the singer characterization


His hands in his pockets
He puts his hands in his pockets and continues to dance


He's waltzing the evening away
He continues his waltzing, enjoying the pure joy of the dance




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LYLE PEARCE LOVETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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