Bassist/vocalist Timothy B. Schmit, later of the Eagles, replaced original Poco member Randy Meisner after Poco's debut album. Meisner was unhappy with Furay and Messina, feeling they gave him zero respect in the production of songs. Meisner went on to join Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon band and later the Eagles. Schmit later joined the Eagles in 1978. Jim Messina, later of (Kenny) Loggins and Messina fame, who formed the band with Furay, departed in 1970, feeling Furay exhibited too much control. Paul Cotton replaced Messina on lead guitar in 1971. Original drummer George Grantham added a strong rock beat to country flavor picking and provided excellent harmony vocals. Other Poco members included later seventies/early eighties Drummer Steve Chapman and Bassist Charlie Harrison and current bassist Jack Sundrud. George Lawrence replaced Grantham on drums after illness took him from the band in the summer of 2004.
Poco's back catalogue includes a wide variety of styles, from 60's folk rock to 70's hard rock and from country to electric pop. The band's three first albums, "Pickin' Up The Pieces (1969)", "Poco (1970)" and "Deliverin (1970)'" all share a joyful, slightly psychedelic atmosphere. For some fans, this was the real Poco.
Guitarist/songwriter Paul Cotton's joining Poco then brought more variety and also considerably more rock punch to the band on "From The Inside (1971)", "A Good Feelin' To Know (1972)" and "Crazy Eyes (1973)" .
However, a disappointed Furay departed , lamenting that the band had not increased it's audience since it's inception..
.After Furay's departure, the band released it's last two LP's on Epic,.The albums "Seven (1974)" and "Cantamos (1974)" also resulted in mediocre sales, charting at #'s 68 and 76, respectively.
Poco left Epic after Cantamos and signed with ABC-Dunhill Records. Head Over Heels was their first ABC release, featuring Schmit's acoustic "Keep On Tryin'", which became the group's most successful single to date, charting at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Around the time of the release of Head Over Heels, The Very Best of Poco was released as a compilation album that documented the group's years with Epic. Epic's release fought with Head Over Heels for attention though neither charted very well, hitting #43 and #90, respectively.
The group's next ABC-Dunhill album was Rose Of Cimarron which also failed to generate much enthusiasm and peaked at #89. Another Epic release also came out in 1976, the live album Live. Indian Summer was released the following spring, reaching #57.
In August 1977, Schmit quit to join the Eagles, coincidentally replacing former Poco member Meisner yet again. As a result, a possible new live album was cancelled by ABC. After languishing in storage for many years, the album was eventually released as The Last Roundup in 2004.
After Schmit's departure, Poco decided to take a break. Grantham took some time off, while Young and Cotton decided to continue as the "Cotton-Young Band". They added Steve Chapman (drums) and Charlie Harrison (bass) to round out their new quartet. However, ABC decided to pick up the Cotton-Young album — as long as they continued under the 'Poco' name. Thus, although Grantham had never quit Poco, he found himself bought out of the group. He subsequently landed a job as drummer for Ricky Skaggs.
The new Poco couldn't have started much better, since "Legend (1978)" became band's first hit album with two TOP-20 hits. The album is very different from everything Poco had so far done and the hard rocking title track hinted for what was to follow.
The joy was short lived, however. In the 1980s, the group released five more albums: Under The Gun (1980), Blue And Gray (1981), Cowboys & Englishmen (1982) on MCA and, moving over to Atlantic Records, Ghost Town (1982) and Inamorata (1984). Poco failed to duplicate the success achieved by Legend, with each album doing more poorly than its predecessor.
After poor commercial success, Poco went into hiatus until the original line-up surprised everyone with new album "Legacy (1989)". It was also a hit album with another TOP20 hit single "Call it love". The album to many listeners was a welcome return to band's original country rock style. This line-up didn't last, however, and only recorded this one album. This wasn't the end of Poco, though. The band, now again Cotton & Young -lead, continued gigging and even made a new studio album "Running Horse" in 2002, which failed to gather much acclaim.
The band has been active in the 2000's ever since, having so far released three live albums from both recent and older concerts: "Keeping The Legend Alive", "The Last Roundup" and "Bareback at Big Sky". A concert DVD is also available. Paul Cotton's three solo albums "Changing Horses (1990)", "Firebird (2000)" and "When The Coast is Clear" (2005)" are also available and well worth a check.
On March 11, 2010, Cotton departed the band . Keyboardist Michael Webb from Nashville TN joined the band and Poco continued to tour.
Plans are underway for a new CD in early 2011 as well as a tour.
Read more about Poco at http://www.poconut.org.
Fool's Paradise
Poco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He says one thing when you're lookin' and another when you turn around
Don't get caught up in emotion and how good it used to be
Just remember there's a reason, that's the way it has to be
Chorus:
Now don't you believe him, just take this advice
And don't look for rainbows in a fool's paradise
High up on a distant mountain, he sits lookin' down on you and me
Says it doesn't really matter to him, he knows how it's got to be
See it in his way or forget it, he don't need to come around
Anytime he's got the feelin', he knows that he's got the sound
(chorus)
(Solo)
I don't care what the man is sayin', he don't know what it's all about
He says one thing when you're lookin' and another when you turn around
Don't get caught up in emotion and how good it used to be
Just remember there's a reason, that's the way it has to be
(chorus)
No you just can't believe him, so take this advice
And don't look for rainbows in a fool's paradise
The lyrics of Poco's "Fool's Paradise" seem to be a cautionary tale about not being deceived by false promises and illusions. The singer is warning a person not to listen to what their significant other is saying because they are being misleading and inconsistent. The man in question speaks differently when the listener is watching versus when they are not, hinting at a lack of sincerity and trustworthiness. The advice given is to not let emotions or nostalgia cloud judgment and to remember that there is a clear reason for the situation to be as it is. It's a reminder to stay grounded in reality and not be swayed by false appearances.
The chorus serves as a catchy reminder to not believe the deceptive man and to heed the singer's advice. The reference to not looking for rainbows in a fool's paradise suggests that chasing after impossible dreams or false hopes will only lead to disappointment and disillusionment. The imagery of rainbows in a fool's paradise paints a picture of a mirage or an illusion that is not based in reality, emphasizing the theme of being wary of illusions and false promises.
The verses describe a figure sitting high up on a mountain, looking down on the situation and asserting their dominance by believing that they know best. This figure seems arrogant and detached, imposing their views on others and demanding compliance with their perspective. The lyrics imply a power dynamic where the man feels superior and unyielding, expecting others to conform to his way of thinking without question. The solo in the middle of the song allows for a musical interlude that perhaps reflects the contemplative mood of the lyrics and adds emotional depth to the message being conveyed.
The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of not believing the deceitful man and not falling for illusions. The insistence on not looking for rainbows in a fool's paradise serves as a firm warning against pursuing unrealistic expectations and being fooled by false appearances. The song as a whole seems to be a caution against naivety and a reminder to stay vigilant and grounded in reality when faced with deceit and false promises. It conveys a sense of skepticism and wisdom in navigating relationships and avoiding falling into traps of illusion and deception.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care what your man is sayin', he don't know what it's all about
His words are empty, he lacks understanding
He says one thing when you're lookin' and another when you turn around
He's two-faced, deceptive in his ways
Don't get caught up in emotion and how good it used to be
Don't dwell on the past, emotions can cloud judgment
Just remember there's a reason, that's the way it has to be
Accept the reality, there's a purpose behind it
Now don't you believe him, just take this advice
He is not trustworthy, heed this warning
And don't look for rainbows in a fool's paradise
Don't seek false hopes or illusions
High up on a distant mountain, he sits lookin' down on you and me
He's in a position of power, watching from afar
Says it doesn't really matter to him, he knows how it's got to be
He is indifferent, only concerned with his own agenda
See it in his way or forget it, he don't need to come around
His perspective is all that matters, no need for compromise
Anytime he's got the feelin', he knows that he's got the sound
He is confident in his decisions, trusts his intuition
I don't care what the man is sayin', he don't know what it's all about
His words are empty, he lacks understanding
He says one thing when you're lookin' and another when you turn around
He's two-faced, deceptive in his ways
No you just can't believe him, so take this advice
Don't be deceived, listen to this guidance
And don't look for rainbows in a fool's paradise
Don't expect happiness in a place of deceit
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind