After dropping out of high school and joining the US Naval Reserve, he eventually went AWOL to concentrate on music. He fled to Canada in 1964 and started using the name Ricky Matthews. In Toronto, he led various incarnations of The Mynah Birds, some of which included Neil Young and Bruce Palmer (who would go on to form Buffalo Springfield) and Nick St. Nicholas (later of Steppenwolf). After scoring a deal with Motown, the band was swindled by their manager and the label discovered James was on the lam, and the band split up.
After serving time for desertion, James tried to rekindle the Mynah Birds, but eventually found a role as a writer and producer at Motown, using the name Terry Johnson on tunes for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers and The Spinners. He moved to California in 1969 and formed Salt 'n' Pepper (not to be confused with Salt-N-Pepa) and worked with a number of bands (Heaven and Earth, Great White Cane, and Stone City Band) before returning to Motown, where he developed the gritty funk sound that would bring him hits and notoriety. "Super Freak" in 1981, from the Street Songs album, was his biggest hit. During this period, he also helped launch the careers of R&B singer Teena Marie and the Mary Jane Girls as well as producing Eddie Murphy's hit, Party All the Time.
After remaining moderately successful through the 80s, his popularity waned in the 90s and he succumbed to drugs, having frequent run-ins with the law, one of which resulted in a prison term. After an unsuccessful comeback attempt in 1997 and suffering a stroke, James retired. He died in 2004 from heart failure with multiple contributing factors.
Fool On The Street
Rick James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hit me right between my eyes
and made me realize
you and I,
we were born right from the streets
we both know how to stay alive
we both know how to shuck and jive
such a cold blow when you tried to tear my po heart down
I was man enuff to stand my ground
even tho you didnt want me around
I was a fool baby
now you come right back on the scene
tryna run that same game on me
by playin with my heart
leaving me torn apart
you can't no more my baby
I won't be fooled no more
I won't be fooled no more
I was a fool baby
but I wont be fooled no more
love, the day you walked on me i died
for days I sat around and cried
I even thought of taking my life
I was a fool baby
as time went on,
I grew stronger within myself
I wrote a song and changed my name
from the streets I went to wealth and fame, ah yeah
now this fool on the streets
that you knew and loved a long time ago
he's died and he's changed his name
from the street I went to wealth and fame...and he doesn't know yo face
The lyrics of "Fool On The Street" by Rick James narrate his personal journey of falling in love, getting his heartbroken, and eventually rising above the pain. He sings about how he and his lover were both products of the streets, where they learned to survive and hustle. However, his lover tried to bring him down by breaking his heart, and he was initially devastated. He admits that he was a fool for allowing himself to be vulnerable to her once again.
Despite the pain, Rick James did not let himself wallow for long. He found strength within himself and channeled it into his music. By changing his name and pursuing wealth and fame, he transformed himself from a "fool on the streets" into a successful artist. His lover, who tries to reconnect with him, no longer has power over him. He declares that he won't be fooled again and has moved beyond the pain of their past.
Overall, "Fool On The Street" is a story of resilience and personal growth. Rick James shows that even when someone tries to bring you down, you can come back stronger and achieve great things.
Line by Line Meaning
love, came quite by surprise
Love came when I least expected it.
hit me right between my eyes
Love was so strong that it caught me off guard.
and made me realize
Love showed me things I hadn't seen before.
you and I,
We come from the same background.
we were born right from the streets
We were born in poverty and had to survive on the streets.
we both know how to stay alive
We both know how to survive in a tough environment.
we both know how to shuck and jive
We both know how to adapt and be resourceful.
didnt we baby
We shared similar experiences.
such a cold blow when you tried to tear my po heart down
It was hurtful when you tried to break my heart.
I was man enuff to stand my ground
I had the courage to stand up for myself.
even tho you didnt want me around
You didn't want me in your life.
I was a fool baby
I was naive and foolish for putting up with your behavior.
now you come right back on the scene
You have returned to my life.
tryna run that same game on me
You are trying to manipulate me again.
by playin with my heart
You are toying with my emotions.
leaving me torn apart
Your actions are causing me great pain.
you can't no more my baby
I am no longer vulnerable to your manipulation.
I won't be fooled no more
I won't let you deceive me again.
love, the day you walked on me i died
You caused me so much pain that it felt like I died inside.
for days I sat around and cried
I was consumed with grief and sadness.
I even thought of taking my life
I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I considered suicide.
as time went on,
As time passed,
I grew stronger within myself
I became more resilient.
I wrote a song and changed my name
I expressed my emotions through music and reinvented myself.
from the streets I went to wealth and fame, ah yeah
I went from living in poverty to achieving success.
now this fool on the streets
The person I used to be.
that you knew and loved a long time ago
The person you were once close to.
he's died and he's changed his name
I have transformed into a different person.
from the street I went to wealth and fame
I went from poverty to success and prosperity.
and he doesn't know yo face
I have distanced myself from you and no longer recognize you.
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shay Gordon
Verse 1]
Love, came quite by surprise
Hit me right between my eyes
And made me realize
You and I
We were born right from the streets
We both know how to stay alive
We both knew how to shuck and jive
Didn't we, baby?
Such a cold blow when you tried to tear my po' heart down
I was man enough to stand my ground
Even though you didn't want me around
I was a fool, baby
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[Chorus]
Now you come right back on the scene
Tryna run that same game on me
Stop playin' with my heart
Just leave before you start
Furthermore, my baby (Furthermore, baby)
I won't be fooled no more
(I won't be fooled)
Furthermore, my baby (Furthermore, baby)
I won't be fooled no more
(I won't be fooled)
I was a fool, baby
But I won't be fooled no more
[Verse 2]
Love, the day you walked on me I died
For days I sat around and cried
I even thought of taking my life
I was a fool, yeah
As time went on, I grew stronger within myself
I wrote a song and changed my name
From the street I went to wealth and fame, ah yeah
Now this fool on the street
That you knew and loved a long time ago
Has died and changed his name
Somebody else has taken his place, and he doesn't know your face
[Chorus]
Now you come right back on the scene
Tryna run that same game on me
Stop playin' with my heart
Just leave before you start
Furthermore, my baby (Furthermore, baby)
I won't be fooled no more
(I won't be fooled)
Furthermore, my baby (Furthermore, baby)
I won't be fooled no more
(I won't be fooled)
[Bridge]
Yeah, you fooled me but you'll never fool me anymore
I was a fool for you, baby
Yeah, you fooled me but you'll never fool me anymore
Yeah, I was a fool on the street
Yeah, you fooled me but you'll never fool me anymore
Yeah, you fooled me but you'll never fool me anymore
Had enough, had enough, had enough, had enough
Had enough, had enough, had enough, had enough
I was a fool for you, baby
I was a big fool, baby, but I won't be no more
Fool for you, baby
Fool for you, baby
Big fool, baby
I was a stupid bloomin' fool, yeah, yeah yeah
Christopher Morton
Musically this is outstanding. Motown beginning with a killer baseline. The last minutes are progressive rock meets Motown funk. His band , the timing, just great. RIP Rick James.
PREZOOOM
I was hoping for more" progressive parts like this in Rick James songs. But The Groove became The Thing with the ever changing times. Still I'm glad I Seen Rick do This LIVE !!!!
90's Skateboarder
I was born in July of 1979 so as a kid in the 80's my folk had tons of this stuff and now in 2022 I still have it bumping for my 5 yr old son and he loves it. LEGENDS NEVER DIE!!!
rockxxwhite
This should have been another huge hit for Rick James! Great Flute.
Séraphine Anaïs
Rick is at his best here, pulling out unadulterated, raw emotion from within....emotion that only a master of song can deliver. Criminally underrated song. A++
Scotty P
I bought an original vinyl copy of this on Monday. It's Saturday night now and I've just listened to this album. It is a MASTERPIECE!!!
Mr Maxxx
The music on this track is so versatile and leaves you in a trance Rick James was the real deal
Eric Lowe
If you were around in the late 70s and early 80s, you witnessed pure greatness! We all loved this man!
james cox
That for sure
Charles Batts
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BASS LINES. IT'S MELODIC AND FUNKY AT THE SAME TIME.