Musical Arrangement Features:
Delicate piano work
Subtle brushed drums
Gardot's distinctively smoky vocals
The composition draws inspiration from the Great American Songbook tradition, while incorporating modern jazz sensibilities.
Release Formats:
Studio Version:
Produced by Grammy Award-winning Larry Klein (known for work with Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock)
Duration: 3:34
Features orchestral arrangements by Vince Mendoza
Live Versions:
Live from SoHo EP featuring extended instrumental introduction
Live at the Olympia Paris (2015) with bossa nova influences
Live in Europe (2018) with intimate arrangement
The artistic black-and-white music video, directed by cinematographer Aaron Platt, pays homage to classic Hollywood musicals. It features Gardot in a vintage clawfoot bathtub, while professional dancers in tuxedos perform choreographed sequences reflecting the song's emotional journey. The video's film noir aesthetic complements the sophisticated jazz arrangement.
Commercial Success
International Chart Performance:
Sweden: #5 on Sverigetopplistan
Norway: #10 on VG-lista
Japan: #8 on Japan Hot 100
Belgium: #23 on Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia
United States: #28 on Billboard's Smooth jazz Songs
Baby I'm A Fool
Melody Gardot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only just a little game to you?
All the time I felt you gave your heart
I thought that I would do the same for you
Tell the truth, I think I should have
Seen it coming from a mile away
When the words you say are
Baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall in love?
If I gave a thought to fascination
I would know it wasn't right to care
Logic doesn't seem to mind that
I am fascinated by the love affair
Still my heart would benefit from
A little tenderness from time to time, but never mind
'Cause baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall in love
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm, mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm
Yeah
Baby, I should hold on just a moment
And be sure it's not for vanity
Look me in the eye and tell me
Love is never based upon insanity, yeah
Even when my heart is beating
Hurry up the moment's fleeting
Kiss me now, don't ask me how
'Cause baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall
Baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall
And I would never tell if you became a fool and fell in love
In Melody Gardot's song "Baby I'm A Fool," the singer reflects on a relationship that she now realizes was unfulfilling and one-sided. She laments how she gave her heart to someone who only saw the romance as a game. The singer acknowledges that she should have realized this sooner, as the other person's words and actions didn't quite align with the depth of her own emotions. Despite realizing that the relationship was not right for her, the singer still holds onto the fantasy of being in love and believes that her heart would benefit from tenderness.
The song explores the idea of being a fool for love and how sometimes one can become so infatuated that they overlook red flags and make mistakes. The singer acknowledges her foolishness but can't help feeling fascinated and drawn to love's alluring power. The chorus repeats the line "Baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall in love," which emphasizes the theme of being blinded by love's charm.
The lyrics also touch on the fleeting nature of love and how one should seize the moment before it passes. The singer urges her partner to kiss her without hesitation because "the moment's fleeting." The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer stating that she would never judge someone for falling in love, even if it results in heartbreak.
Overall, "Baby I'm A Fool" is a melancholy yet insightful exploration of love's complexities and how it can lead one to do reckless and foolish things.
Line by Line Meaning
How was I to know that this was always
I had no clue that this was just a game to you.
Only just a little game to you?
Did you consider our love a little, insignificant game to play with?
All the time I felt you gave your heart
Every time I felt that you truly loved me
I thought that I would do the same for you
I also thought I would love you just as much
Tell the truth, I think I should have
In retrospect, I think I should have guessed
Seen it coming from a mile away
I should have seen the signs even before they materialized.
When the words you say are
When all you say are just words without any meaning
Baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall in love?
I'm naïve and foolish to think that falling in love is an exciting experience.
If I gave a thought to fascination
If only I had considered that the attraction wasn't genuine
I would know it wasn't right to care
I would have known that allowing myself to fall in love was giving you control over me.
Logic doesn't seem to mind that
I ignored all the rational indications that our relationship would end in heartache.
I am fascinated by the love affair
I am drawn to our exciting and intense love affair although my logic has constantly warned me against it.
Still my heart would benefit from
Despite the power and control you have over me, I still crave tenderness from you.
A little tenderness from time to time, but never mind
Although I would appreciate your love and care, I understand that you only consider me a foolish game.
'Cause baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall in love
My idealistic view of love has made me an easy target for heartbreak.
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm, mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm
Yeah
Baby, I should hold on just a moment
I should pause a little and reevaluate my feelings towards you.
And be sure it's not for vanity
I should ensure that my attraction to you isn't just for personal gain or attention.
Look me in the eye and tell me
I need to hear from you that what we share is genuine.
Love is never based upon insanity, yeah
True love isn't crazy or illogical, as I've often thought our relationship to be.
Even when my heart is beating
Even when my heart is racing with feelings of love
Hurry up the moment's fleeting
I want us to live in the moment and enjoy our love while it lasts.
Kiss me now, don't ask me how
Let's be spontaneous in our love and enjoy every moment together.
'Cause baby, I'm a fool who thinks it's cool to fall
Ultimately, I know that I'm still foolish and naïve in matters of the heart.
And I would never tell if you became a fool and fell in love
I would never judge you for falling in love with me or consider you foolish for falling into the same trap as I did.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Melody Gardot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josedavidmelerosuso7276
Melody, I will forever remember your concert at Madrid' s Sabatini Gardens, back in 2010.
Spain had just won the football World Cup, and their celebration, some hundred meters away, kept on bothered us the whole gig.
I felt ashamed, I must confess.
Nonetheless, your classy performance won over that noise.
I Hope you come back to Spain soon.
Lots of love, David 💚
@timoraymo
How she’s not as big as Adele or Winehouse I have no idea. Her voice is simply magical.
@Jil8840
That's because she's a "jazz" singer. The others that you mentioned are pop singers designed for mass appeal!!!!!.
@sue367
She is so underated
@anneloughlin2480
@@Jil8840 Adele yes, but Amy was jazz through and through!
@Jil8840
@@anneloughlin2480 mainstream pop singers.
@periquito2358
@@anneloughlin2480 Amy wasn't jazz singuer, she played soul-pop
@tellaarm5748
Reminds me of the gentle music of movie soundtracks of the 1960s. Simply WONERERFUL!
@sharnettehyter113
Her Voice is Angelic! Timeless perfection. She is one of the Greatest singers of our Generation!
@pavelphilippenko3320
"Her Voice is Angelic! Timeless perfection. She is one of the Greatest singers of our Generation!
@mrsymor
I'm so glad I recently discovered Melody Gardot's music