When Rosie was 16, she moved with her family to Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in the University of Arkansas, where she studied art and music and dabbled in modeling. Also while there, Rosie met and fell in love with a musician named Jimmy Roberts. Rosie and Jimmy married, but sadly Jimmy died of cancer a few months later. Shortly after Jimmy's tragic death, Rosie left the university and moved to New York to pursue what would turn out to be a very successful modeling career.
In the mid '80s, Rosie decided to put her career on hold so that she could pursue her musical ambitions. She signed with A&M Records in 1986 and recorded and released her debut album, "Zazu", that year. This haunting collection of songs features unique jazzy melodies, dreamy vocals, and clever, idiosyncratic lyrics about lost love. You might remember the singles "Magic Smile", "Interlude", and "Fool's Paradise", which got some minor radio and video airplay. During 1987 Rosie toured briefly in support of "Zazu", opening up shows for The Fixx and Andy Summers in the USA.
In addition to its own musical virtue, "Zazu" marked the first time in years that Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan came together in a studio. Fortunately for Rosie, her album was being produced by long-time Steely Dan producer Gary Katz, and Walter happened to drop by the studio one day for a listen. Gary also played some of Rosie's tracks for Donald. Funnily enough, both Walter and Donald each independently asked to play on "Interlude". This song and several of Zazu's others feature Donald on synthesizer and Walter on guitar.
Soon after the release of "Zazu", Rosie sang backup vocals along with Joni Mitchell on Don Henley's song "Who Owns This Place"? from the soundtrack to the movie "The Color of Money." Rosie's next musical endeavor took place in the 1991 movie "Inside Edge." Starring as a nightclub singer, she performed the bluesy ballads "Can't Walk Away from Your Love" and "Heavy Rain".
In 1990, Rosie completed a second album of 10 songs titled "Sun Across the Altar". Sadly, it was never released. That year her record company, A&M, was bought out by Polydor. Thinking Rosie's music wasn't commercial enough, Polydor tried to get her to rap on one of the songs and then wanted her to rework the album with a heavy metal producer. Since Rosie understandably felt misunderstood by Polydor, she parted ways with them in 1991. It's sad that the world hasn't heard this fine recording. In the May 1994 issue of the now-defunct Steely Dan fan mag Metal Leg, guitarist Rick Derringer (who played on both of Rosie's albums) is quoted as saying that Rosie's second album "is excellent...the music, lyrics, songs, and singing exceed the quality of 'Zazu'".
In the early '90s, Rosie began working on a third album of songs. Sessions for this new recording were unfortunately postponed in 1994 when Rosie took time off to recover from an automobile accident. Once Rosie got back on her feet, she resumed recording and completed several songs. Some of them were produced by Jeff Lynne.
The album was again put on hold when Rosie began working with Jeff Lynne on new projects for his band, the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). In the late '90s, Rosie co-wrote a heavy rocker called "A Woman Like That" with Lynne for a British movie called "Still Crazy." She helped him compile and remaster songs for "Flashback," a three-CD retrospective of ELO's music, and she later did some work on ELO's album, "Zoom", which was released in 2001. Rosie's contributions to "Zoom" consisted of singing backup vocals on "Alright" and "All She Wanted", speaking some lines in Spanish on "Stranger on a Quiet Street", and assisting with the string arrangement on that same tune. Once the album was completed, Rosie performed with ELO as a vocalist during the band's first concerts in 15 years.
To read a fact-filled, insightful Rosie Vela interview, check out this article, by Eric Pooley, from the November 3, 1986, issue of New York Magazine.
Hopefully one day Polydor will release "Sun Across the Altar", Rosie will finish her third album, and the world will give Rosie's music the attention it so richly deserves.
Fool's Paradise
Rosie Vela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm into somethin' and nothin' feels right.
Givin' is only to get somethin' nice.
Just a broken heart I think in my mind.
What can I do baby?
Oh baby. Livin' in a suit. Oh baby. Tryin' to get to you.
And you have got to say that you want me.
Nagee-bookakay. Is that the only way?
Way that you want me? Way that you care?
Lovin' is only a fool's paradise.
Nothin' for nothin'. Just another night now.
You try to touch me to take me high.
I know what you're thinkin'.
But the feelin's not right. What can I do baby?
Oh baby. Treat me like a fool.
Oh baby. Tryin' to get to you.
And you have got to say that you want me.
Nagee-bookakay. Is that the only way?
No no the way. Way that you want me.
Baby. Treat me like a fool. Baby. Treat me like a fool.
And you have got to say that you
Got to say that you want me.
Is that the only way? In a fool's paradise.
In a fool's paradise. I know.
What I need. Is for some relief now.
I can't. Keep on goin' on. And nothin' can free me.
You'll never, never be alone. In a Fool's Paradise.
A can na vee can a bot a set you zee a de dy cu no zy su no.
A can a vee a said. Nothin' can free me now. Fool's Paradise.
A do na don da on day.
The lyrics to Rosie Vela's song Fool's Paradise speak of a sense of emptiness and disillusionment which the singer believes accompanies the process of living. The opening line, Livin' is only a fool's paradise, suggests a bleak outlook on life, perhaps due to past betrayals or heartbreak. The next line implies that despite being invested in something, the singer is not able to feel fulfilled and content. This is followed by a line suggesting that the act of giving is not necessarily altruistic since it is often done with an expectation of reciprocation or reward. The fourth line reiterates the notion of a broken heart, which suggests that the singer is carrying emotional baggage.
The chorus speaks of the desire to be wanted and loved back by the object of affection. The line "tryin' to get to you" conveys a sense of urgency and desperation. The phrase "Nagee-bookakay" is open to interpretation, but it could be interpreted as an expression of confusion or frustration in communication with the other person. The second verse repeats the theme of emptiness and suggests that the prospect of physical intimacy is not enough to overcome the emotional barriers that are present.
Overall, the lyrics of Fool's Paradise speak to the human desire for connection and love, but also the fear of being vulnerable and hurt. The sense of disillusionment and emptiness is palpable, but there is also a sense of hope and willingness to keep trying.
Line by Line Meaning
Livin' is only a fool's paradise.
Living is only a temporary illusion of happiness and contentment that can easily lead one into a state of foolishness and disappointment.
I'm into somethin' and nothin' feels right.
I am involved in a situation or experience that is not fulfilling or satisfying to me, despite my efforts.
Givin' is only to get somethin' nice.
The act of giving is often motivated by the desire to receive something in return that is perceived as valuable or desirable.
Just a broken heart I think in my mind.
My heart is broken, and I am feeling emotional pain and turmoil that is affecting my thoughts and perceptions.
What can I do baby?
I am expressing a sense of helplessness and uncertainty about how to improve my current situation or emotional state.
Oh baby. Livin' in a suit. Oh baby. Tryin' to get to you.
I am expressing a sense of detachment and disconnection from my true desires and feelings, as well as a desire to connect with someone or something that is currently out of reach or unattainable.
And you have got to say that you want me.
I am expressing a need for validation and affirmation from another person, and a desire for them to express their feelings and intentions clearly to me.
If you don't then please don't disappoint me.
I am expressing a fear of rejection and disappointment, and a desire for the other person to be honest and upfront with me about their feelings and intentions.
Nagee-bookakay. Is that the only way?
I am expressing a sense of confusion and uncertainty about the best course of action to take, and a desire for guidance or clarification from someone else.
Way that you want me? Way that you care?
I am questioning the other person's intentions and feelings towards me, and seeking reassurance and clarity about their level of interest and commitment.
Lovin' is only a fool's paradise.
Love can be an illusion or a trap that leads people into foolish or unsustainable situations, rather than a source of true happiness and fulfillment.
Nothin' for nothin'. Just another night now.
I am expressing a sense of futility and emptiness, as well as a feeling that my efforts are not being reciprocated or rewarded in any meaningful way.
You try to touch me to take me high.
I am describing the other person's attempts to engage me or connect with me in a way that they believe will create a positive reaction or feeling.
I know what you're thinkin'. But the feelin's not right.
I am expressing a sense of intuition or insight into the other person's intentions or feelings, and a lack of alignment or connection with those feelings.
Oh baby. Treat me like a fool. Oh baby. Tryin' to get to you.
I am expressing a sense of desperation and willingness to overlook my own self-respect or dignity in order to achieve a desired outcome or connection with the other person.
No no the way. Way that you want me.
I am expressing a sense of clarity or understanding about the other person's intentions or desires, and a willingness to comply or engage with those desires in order to achieve a connection or outcome.
In a fool's paradise. I know.
I am acknowledging that my current situation or emotional state is unsustainable or undesirable and that I am living in a state of delusion or foolishness.
What I need. Is for some relief now.
I am expressing a need or desire for something to alleviate my emotional turmoil or pain, and a sense of urgency or desperation in seeking that relief.
I can't. Keep on goin' on. And nothin' can free me.
I am expressing a sense of hopelessness and frustration, and a belief that my current situation or emotional state is inescapable or unbearable.
You'll never, never be alone. In a Fool's Paradise.
I am describing the potential consequences or risks of living in a state of delusion or dishonesty, and suggesting that those consequences include a lack of true connection or authenticity with oneself or others.
A can na vee can a bot a set you zee a de dy cu no zy su no.
This line is likely nonsensical or meaningless, and may be intended to express a sense of confusion or disorientation.
A can a vee a said. Nothin' can free me now. Fool's Paradise.
I am repeating the idea that nothing can free me from my current emotional or psychological state, and acknowledging that this state is one that is characterized by foolishness or self-deception.
A do na don da on day.
This line is likely nonsensical or meaningless, and may be intended as a vocalization or interjection rather than a specific phrase or message.
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.