It wasn't recorded until the Queen II sessions, though it was a live staple since Queen's formation. The B-side version features a vocal delivery from Freddie Mercury that could be best described as burlesque in nature, rather than the more straightforward delivery of the live and BBC versions which are yet to be officially released. Also, there are lyric changes between the B-side, BBC and live versions (with references to a "train to Georgia" and a "Greyhound bus at dawn" not heard in B-side version, whereas the live versions have no "sailor boy" or "barking dog" lyrics). The reason for these differences has never been explained.
In 2004, May was contacted by a fan who had discovered which song "See What A Fool I've Been" had been based on, as it had long been a mystery. May officially confirmed "That's How I Feel" as the inspiration after the fan sent him the recently released CD containing the song (along with a note explaining how it was tracked down by looking up song lyrics rather than listening to every recording by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee). The explanation of the song's history appears on the February 2004 Soapbox entry of May's official website. May said he planned to contact their estates to work out the long-overdue royalty issues.
See What A Fool I've Been
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See what a fool I've been
Oh Lord, what a fool I've been
Yes, I did too much
Didn't leave, didn't leave no letter
Didn't leave no warning (you naughty thing you)
I guess I'm all to blame, oh Lord
Take it
My little dog ain't too hungry, no, no; he just kept on barking
Viciously
Just don't seem the same, oh, no, no
It just don't seem the same (oh, see you later)
Now hit it like that
Coming on strong
Well, I got so lonely
Went and told my neighbor
She said, "mm, mm, mm, mm, mm."
Oh Lord, what a fool I've been
And she told me what to do
She said, "go home."
Well, she's gone, gone this morning
See what a fool I've been, oh Lord
What a fool I've been
The lyrics of Queen's song See What A Fool I've Been are about the regret of making mistakes in a relationship. The singer has been left by his lover and is now realizing that he did too much and is all to blame for the break-up. He didn't leave a letter or warning, which indicates that the break-up came unexpectedly for him. The singer's little dog is barking viciously and things just don't seem the same without his lover.
The singer goes to his neighbor, who tells him to go home. This is a simple but wise piece of advice that suggests the singer needs to take responsibility for his mistakes and face the consequences. The singer realizes that he has been a fool and expresses regret for his actions. The song has a catchy beat and guitar riff that contrasts with the sad lyrics, making it a classic example of Queen's unique style.
Overall, the song is an honest reflection on the singer's shortcomings in a relationship and the pain of losing someone he loved. It's a relatable theme that many people have experienced in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, she's gone, dear, gone this morning
The woman has left in the morning, leaving him heartbroken and lonely.
See what a fool I've been
He realizes that he has been foolish for letting the woman go.
Oh Lord, what a fool I've been
He regrets his actions and seeks divine intervention to ease his pain.
Yes, I did too much
He admits that he may have gone overboard and made mistakes that led to the woman leaving.
Didn't leave, didn't leave no letter
The woman did not leave any explanation or letter behind for him to understand why she left.
Didn't leave no warning (you naughty thing you)
He jokingly calls the woman naughty for not giving him a warning before leaving.
I guess I'm all to blame, oh Lord
He takes full responsibility for the breakup and regrets his mistakes.
I guess I'm all to blame (see you later... right now you)
He realizes that he may have pushed the woman away and knows it's too late to fix things.
My little dog ain't too hungry, no, no; he just kept on barking
His dog senses his owner's sadness and expresses his displeasure through barking.
Viciously
The barking is intense and persistent, indicating the dog's concern.
Just don't seem the same, oh, no, no
Without the woman, life feels empty and incomplete.
It just don't seem the same (oh, see you later)
He sarcastically bids farewell to the woman, acknowledging that she has left him for good.
Now hit it like that
He encourages the band to start playing the music, distracting him from his pain.
Coming on strong
He tries to put on a brave face and come across as confident and strong.
Well, I got so lonely
The loneliness of the situation takes its toll on him.
Went and told my neighbor
He seeks solace in someone else, looking for comfort and advice.
She said, 'mm, mm, mm, mm, mm.'
The neighbor offers words of comfort and understanding, but they are not enough to soothe his pain.
Oh Lord, what a fool I've been
He repeats his regret and pain, seeking divine intervention once again.
And she told me what to do
The neighbor offers advice on how to cope with the situation and move forward.
She said, 'go home.'
The neighbor advises him to return to his own home instead of seeking comfort elsewhere.
Well, she's gone, gone this morning
He repeats the fact that the woman has left, highlighting the heartbreak and regret he feels.
See what a fool I've been, oh Lord
He once again acknowledges his own foolishness and regrets, seeking divine intervention to help him through the pain of the breakup.
What a fool I've been
He repeats this line one final time, emphasizing the regret and pain he feels over the loss of the woman he loved.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ASLEY COOPER, BRIAN MAY, RICKY M L WALTERS, ZIGGY MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind