Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
A Fool Such as I
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pardon me, if I'm sentimental
When we say goodbye
Don't be angry with me should I cry
When you're gone, yet I'll dream
A little dream as years go by
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love and now
You say that we are through
I'm a fool, but I'll love you dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love
And now you say that we are through
I'm a fool, but I'll love you dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I
The first line of the song "Now and then there's a fool such as I" sets the tone for the lyrics that follow. It speaks to the idea that even intelligent and wise individuals can become fools when it comes to love. The song is written from the perspective of someone who has been left heartbroken by a lover, and is struggling to cope with the loss. The lyrics are filled with deep emotion, and the singer expresses his sorrow in a very vulnerable and raw manner.
The first verse of the song features the singer asking for forgiveness for his sentimentality. He is aware that it may seem foolish to be so emotional when saying goodbye, but he cannot help it. He then goes on to acknowledge that when the person he loves leaves, he will likely dream of them and hold onto the memory of their time together.
The second verse delves deeper into the pain of heartbreak. The singer admits that the person he loves has taught him how to truly love, but now they have left him. He knows that he is a fool for loving someone who has already moved on, but he cannot help it. He will love them until the day he dies.
Overall, the song A Fool Such as I is a poignant and introspective look at the complicated and often painful nature of love. It speaks to the idea that anyone can become a fool for love, even the most intelligent or wise among us.
Line by Line Meaning
(Now and then there's a fool such as I)
Occasionally, there exists an individual like myself who is foolish
Pardon me, if I'm sentimental
Please forgive me if I seem overly emotional
When we say goodbye
At the time of our parting
Don't be angry with me should I cry
Please do not be upset with me if I shed tears
When you're gone, yet I'll dream
Even though you have departed, I shall still envision you in my mind
A little dream as years go by
Over time, I will continue to have a small hope or dream in my heart
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Occasionally, there exists an individual like myself who is foolish
You taught me how to love and now
You educated me in the ways of love, and now
You say that we are through
You indicate that our relationship has come to an end
I'm a fool, but I'll love you dear
I am a foolish person, but I will continue to love you, my beloved
Until the day I die
Until my passing
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Occasionally, there exists an individual like myself who is foolish
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Occasionally, there exists an individual like myself who is foolish
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Occasionally, there exists an individual like myself who is foolish
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Marvin Trader
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donal O' Brien
Absolutely wonderful Voice a One and Only
Must admit I hadn't heard this Gentleman for sometime until this New Coke Add
Should also Congratulate all involved in the Making of this Commercial, Laughted who ever decided to include Slim Whitman was a Master Stroke
I tip my Sombrero
To quote John Keats
A thing of Beauty that's all Ye know on this Earth, and all Ye need to Know
Always
DONAL O'BRIEN
Cork City
Rep.of Ireland
Pablo M.M.
letra
Pardon me, if I'm sentimental
When we say goodbye
Don't be angry with me should I cry
When you're gone, yet I'll dream a little dream
As years go by
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love and now
Now you say we're through
I'm a fool, but I love you, dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love and now
Now you say we're through
I'm a fool, but I love you, dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a foo such as I
kenneth garrison
Only fools don't recognize Slim's great vocal range & talent.
Jeffrey Kaufmann
@robbysoaks Elvis' version is my favorite Not because of his voice but because of the faster temp and instruments used. Drums and Electric guitar.
robbysoaks
George Harrison was a Slim Whitman fan. 'Nuff said!
Trailblazer
Only aliens from planet mars can’t stand Slim’s voice
HBN NON EST INVENTUS
@kenneth garrison your'e right !! :-)
Miguel Ángel
Gracias a Coca Cola por rescatar esta canción del olvido...
Cathleen Berreie
My mother used to sing this around the house....she loved Slim Whitmans voice, and very nice memories for me...thankyou for sharing
Dane Baxter
I love to hear Slim singing. A mocking bird has nothing on him. Thank you for the post. 6/2020
FRANCIS Dubois
There could never be another SLIM WHITMAN, he was the best ever, will miss him, his singing.
Peter Huby
I have been a fan of slims for over fifty years and I never get tired of listening to that wonderful voice