What Kind of Fool Am I
The Rat Pack Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What kind of fool am I
Who never fell in love
It seems that I'm the only one
That I have been thinking of

What kind of man is this?
An empty shell
A lonely cell in which
An empty heart must dwell

What kind of lips are these
That lied with every kiss
That whispered empty words of love
That left me alone like this

Why can't I fall in love
Like any other man
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am.

What kind of clown am I?
What do I know of life?
Why can't I cast away the mask of play
And live my life?

Why can't I fall in love




Till I don't give a damn
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song What Kind Of Fool Am I by The Rat Pack explore the feelings of a man who has never fallen in love. He questions his own worth and why he cannot experience what seems to come so naturally to others. He describes himself as an empty shell, a lonely cell with an empty heart, implying that without love, he feels incomplete.


The lyricist describes the pain of being lied to and the emptiness that comes with words that promise love but never deliver. He emphasizes that he seeks what seems to be ordinary for most men, the ability to fall in love and not care about the consequences.


The man singing this song is vulnerable and honest, questioning why he can't be like other men and know what it feels like to be in love. He expresses his deepest fears and desires, lamenting the fact that he can't cast away his "mask of play" and live life fully. Ultimately, the lyrics are a powerful meditation on the human heart and the desire for love and connection.


Line by Line Meaning

What kind of fool am I
The singer questions their own intelligence and judgement.


Who never fell in love
The singer has never experienced romantic love.


It seems that I'm the only one
The singer feels alone in their lack of romantic experience.


That I have been thinking of
The artist has been preoccupied with their lack of romantic success.


What kind of man is this?
The artist questions their own masculinity.


An empty shell
The singer feels hollow inside.


A lonely cell in which
The singer feels trapped in their emotional state.


An empty heart must dwell
The artist's heart feels devoid of love and affection.


What kind of lips are these
The artist questions their own honesty and integrity.


That lied with every kiss
The artist has been dishonest in their romantic pursuits.


That whispered empty words of love
The singer has said things they didn't truly mean in their romantic endeavors.


That left me alone like this
The artist's actions have resulted in them being alone and unloved.


Why can't I fall in love
The singer desires to experience romantic love.


Like any other man
The singer feels inadequate compared to others who have experienced love.


And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am.
The singer believes falling in love will bring clarity to their situation.


What kind of clown am I?
The artist feels foolish and ridiculous in their current state.


What do I know of life?
The artist questions their understanding of the world and their place in it.


Why can't I cast away the mask of play
The singer is unable to be their true self in their romantic pursuits.


And live my life?
The singer desires to live authentically and genuinely.


Till I don't give a damn
The artist desires to reach a point where they are indifferent to love.


And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am
The artist believes that reaching a state of indifference towards love will bring clarity to their situation.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@DanStratocaster1

#1 best version of this song Sammy ever did. He was so great.

@robertrothberg8678

Dan,the best version Sammy did was on the Jerry Lewis telethon.sammy revised the ending with the lyrics, till I don't give one little damn.that being said,Sammy sang this song excellent in live concerts.without a doubt Sammy davis jr.was the greatest entertainer that ever lived.

@GarethWonfor

I love this rendition.... the orchestra are superb and the soft sound of chinking glasses and laughter in the background really captures the era. A stop in Las Vagas in the 60's to see the Rat pack live would definitely be on my time travelling itinerary! ; )

@Scottishscot1Numbah1

Shmuck is my faveorite word

@nicegerda

i love Sammy but there must ber another version of this song with frank Sinatra where can i find it on you tube ??

@Scottishscot1Numbah1

@TheMarkc Touche

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