He was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah. He taught himself guitar when he was 13 and considered his first influence to be Mike Bloomfield. At 18 he moved to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Blues Band (named after his father, who was also a guitarist) featuring his brothers Mark (mouth harp) and Patrick (drums).
Robben was soon hired to play with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. Robben Ford played with Jimmy Witherspoon (1972-1973), the L.A. Express with Tom Scott (1974), George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. In 1977 he was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, which he stayed with until 1983, simultaneously having a solo career and working as a session guitarist.
In 1986, Ford toured with Miles Davis and he had two separate periods (1985 and 1987) with Sadao Watanabe, but he seemed to really find himself in 1992 when he returned to his roots: the blues. Ford formed a new group, the Blue Line, and subsequently recorded a couple of blues-rock dates for Stretch that are among the finest of his career. In 1999, he released Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. Ford signed to the Concord Jazz label in 2002 and released Blue Moon that same year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. Robben Ford whilst continuing to record solo albums has been touring in 2007 with guitar legend Larry Carlton.
Fool's Paradise
Robben Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said, "Son, fate′s gonna catch right up with you
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you′re just living in a fool's paradise"
My mother told me, my father said it right
He said, "Son, you're gonna drop right out of sight
If you keep on drinking and gambling
I have learned my lesson
Unlike some fools I′ve met
Things I've seen in this ole world
I′m not likely to forget
My mother told me, she sat right down and cried
She said, "Son, you're just committing suicide
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin′ out all night, you're just living in a fool's paradise"
I have learned my lesson
Unlike some fools I′ve met
Things I′ve seen in this ole world
I'm not likely to forget
My mother told me, she sat right down and cried
She said, "Son, you′re just committing suicide
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you′re just living in a fool's paradise
You′re just living in a fool's paradise
You're just living in a fool′s paradise"
In the song "Fool's Paradise" by Robben Ford, the singer's parents warn him about the dangers of drinking and gambling. They tell him that if he continues down this path, he will eventually suffer the consequences when "fate catches right up with [him]." The lyrics are quite reflective, as the singer acknowledges that he has seen "things in this ole world" that have taught him a lesson, and he is not likely to forget them. Despite the warning from his parents, the singer admits that he has been a "fool" at times, but he has learned his lesson and is no longer living in a "fool's paradise."
The song is ultimately about the consequences of reckless behavior and the value of learning from mistakes. The singer's parents see their son headed down a dangerous path and try to warn him, but it is ultimately up to the singer to make the right decisions and learn from his experiences. The song is a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and making changes when necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
My mother told me, my father said it too
Both of my parents warned me
He said, "Son, fate′s gonna catch right up with you
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you′re just living in a fool's paradise"
If I continue on this path of drinking, gambling and staying out all night, I am headed for trouble
My mother told me, my father said it right
My parents were correct in their predictions
He said, "Son, you're gonna drop right out of sight
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin′ out all night, you′re just living in a fool's paradise"
My continued lifestyle will lead to failure and obscurity
I have learned my lesson
Unlike some fools I′ve met
Things I've seen in this ole world
I′m not likely to forget
I have gained knowledge from past mistakes and experiences
My mother told me, she sat right down and cried
She said, "Son, you're just committing suicide
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin′ out all night, you're just living in a fool's paradise"
My mother was deeply concerned about my self-destructive behavior
You′re just living in a fool's paradise
You're just living in a fool′s paradise
My current lifestyle is leading me to a false sense of happiness and success
Writer(s): Johnny Fuller, David Avid, Robert Geddins
Contributed by Maya T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clyde Bermingham
Man ... s the way the Bass & Drums are so laid back ... leaving so much one space... and how RF is gliding so easy & smoothly through SPACE ...
Knowledge is Power ..... Power to Chill ... and Layback....
And still Know when to ease in some wondrous pretty jazzy lyrical lines into
a Blues
Only as Robben Ford does it ..
Sounds lone he came from a Planet all of his own ... and descended to us to lay down the Blues like no one else 🙏🏽
김동균
My mother told me, my father said it too
He said, "Son, fate's gonna catch right up with you
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you're just living in a fool's paradise"
My mother told me, my father said it right
He said, "Son, you're gonna drop right out of sight
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you're just living in a fool's paradise"
I have learned my lesson
Unlike some fools I've met
Things I've seen in this ole world
I'm not likely to forget
My mother told me, she sat right down and cried
She said, "Son, you're just committing suicide
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stayin' out all night, you're just living in a fool's paradise"
André Benitz
A beautiful lesson! He's not afraid of silence, he's not afraid to play just a few notes. Amazing stuff!
George Kam
He is a true guitarist doing real impro every time!the biggest most helpful thing i could to do to evolve as a musician is to just listen to robben ford playing.The day i meet him will be one of my best times of my life.
Ruben Martinez
He’s working for the song...the song is not asking for more. He gave what was asked and needed. Not everybody can handle that.
CAPILLON OLIVIER
Ze foot !
Robert Woodward
@Ruben Martinez always loved Robbens jazzy guitar. Saw him as the lead for Gregg Allman and he was great as he changed up that whole and great ABB sound and worked quite well..
Benjamin Baqui
All that music that Robben conjures up in his mind is magically brought to our ears and into our souls through those hands of his.
Dailyshot Pictures
I can listen to this over and over again. It's so beautiful
Fino Roverato
What phrasing and harmonic sense Robben has.simply masterful. A master class in backing up a blues singer with beautiful and interesting chord textures .
Gangnam Style Grandpa
Absolute Beauty and tone to please the ear ! I love his style of using so many passing chords . Robben is never in a hurry , and every note and chord he hits are pure magic !
Peter Kertesz
What a delightful performance 🎸🎵