Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
What Kind of Fool Am I
Perry Como Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems that I'm the only one that I have been thinkin' of!
What kind of man is this, an empty shell?
A lonely cell in which an empty heart must dwell!
What kind of lips are these, that lied with every kiss?
That whispered empty words of love that left me alone like this?
Why can't I fall in love like any other man?
Why can't I fall in love like any other man?
And maybe then I'll kno' what kind of fool I am!
~ from the 1961 Stage Musical "Stop the World I Want to Get Off"
Music by Leslie Bricusse and lyrics by Anthony Newley
The first verse of "What Kind Of Fool Am I?" expresses the feeling of being alone in this world even if you have never felt love. The singer is a fool who wonders how he can never have fallen in love. He is preoccupied with himself, and everyone else seems to be capable of falling in love. The second verse describes the singer as an empty man with an empty heart; he is a lonely shell in which an empty heart must reside.
The subsequent verse accuses the singer's lips of being deceitful, fraudulent, and full of lies. Even though his lips have whispered phrases of love, they were empty promises, and he was left alone. The refrain states that the singer desires to know what kind of fool he is, but that he must fall in love to understand that. The song is from the stage musical "Stop the World I Want to Get Off," and the lyrics were written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, with music by Bricusse.
Line by Line Meaning
What kind of fool am I, who never fell in love?
I must be a foolish person for never experiencing love.
It seems that I'm the only one that I have been thinkin' of!
I've been too self-absorbed thinking only of myself.
What kind of man is this, an empty shell?
My emotional state is a mere empty vessel.
A lonely cell in which an empty heart must dwell!
I'm trapped in solitude within my empty heart.
What kind of lips are these, that lied with every kiss?
My deceitful lips have betrayed with every kiss.
That whispered empty words of love that left me alone like this?
My empty declarations of love have left me feeling lonely.
Why can't I fall in love like any other man?
I'm questioning why I'm incapable of falling in love like others.
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am!
Perhaps, if I fall in love, I'll discover my true identity as a fool.
Why can't I fall in love like any other man?
I still can't understand why I'm not capable of feeling love like others.
And maybe then I'll kno' what kind of fool I am!
It seems only love can help me understand my foolishness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anando Mukerjee
Perry shows what a master he is of the art of popular song - positively magesterial! And what a beautifully crafted arrangement!!
sherom alowen
Beautiful reading from Perry !!!!
Judy Trompeter
Perry "hits it out of the park again". A master at work.
pejoda
Great version by a great singer
Irene Mccann
He is and was the best in everyway, great voice and abreast family man.
ALesina Young
Am way too young to know this era and it's timeless music but one of my parent's present was to expose us to this wonderful world of music with such class and coolness.
Lorraine Chandler
Beautiful Thanks for sharing .
Johnny Ohanian
Perry Como also known as Mr. relaxation Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Perry
Doug Helms
The fulfillment of the germ of a musical idea first presented as Jule Styne's "The Party's Over".
Nazarena Lusana
❤