I Played The Fool
Southside Johnny/Asbury Jukes Lyrics
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I'm just the kind of guy who never learns
I guess you had to go
Why was I the last to know?
I played the fool, girl
I did just what you expected
I played the fool
I see so much when I look in your eyes
I just can't help myself, I'm hypnotized
It's my turn to walk away
But, baby, I'll be back someday
I played the fool, girl
I did just what you expected
I played the fool
And you're making it so hard to leave this time
It's my turn to walk away
But baby I'll be back someday
I played the fool, girl
I did just what you expected
I played the fool, girl
And you're making it so hard to leave this time
It's my turn to walk away
But baby I'll be back someday
I played the fool, girl
I did just what you expected
I played the fool
The lyrics to "I Played the Fool" depict a man who cannot resist his lover's charm and keeps making the same mistakes with her. He acknowledges that he is naive and continually falls for her games, but he cannot help himself because he is so taken by her. He is aware that she is not good for him and will hurt him, yet he keeps coming back to her, unable to break the cycle. The line "Why was I the last to know?" suggests that he feels like he should have seen this coming, and yet he still couldn't help but fall into the same trap.
The chorus, "I played the fool, girl, I did just what you expected," repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's realization that he has been manipulated by his lover. The repetition of the line creates a sense of regret and frustration. He knows he's making a mistake, but he can't help but do it again. The song's bridge offers a moment of hope: "It's my turn to walk away, but baby, I'll be back someday." Still, it is uncertain whether the singer will truly break free from this cycle and whether his love for this manipulative woman will ultimately win him over.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the child who's soul's a flame that loves to burn
I am like a child who is always charmed by the magic of love and takes foolish risks.
I'm just the kind of guy who never learns
I repeat my mistakes as I cannot learn from them.
I guess you had to go
You had to leave, perhaps because of my own actions.
Why was I the last to know?
I found out much later that you were leaving and had no idea why.
I played the fool, girl
I acted foolishly in trying to keep you.
I did just what you expected
I reacted exactly as you knew I would.
And you're making it so hard to leave this time
You are making it very difficult for me to leave and move on.
I see so much when I look in your eyes
When I look at you, I see many things that I cannot resist.
I just can't help myself, I'm hypnotized
I am under your spell and cannot control my feelings for you.
It's my turn to walk away
It is my time to leave you behind and move on.
But, baby, I'll be back someday
Despite walking away now, I know that I will come back to you eventually.
I played the fool, girl
Once again, I acted foolishly in trying to keep you.
I did just what you expected
Just as before, I reacted exactly as you predicted.
And you're making it so hard to leave this time
Once again, you are making it difficult for me to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVEN VAN ZANDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind