His musical career began in the early 80’s playing drums and bass for two bands, The Mob and Zounds, on the anarchist punk label Crass Records, and touring Europe and UK several times over.
A burgeoning fascination for funk led to him striking out on his own, which led to signing to EMI and recording an album as The Neighbourhood, which was a seven piece band (including Dexy’s original horn section) he subsequently put together. More touring followed, and a spot featuring as a singer on Afrika Bambaataa’s album The Light.
Two more solo albums followed, and stints working with the Horny Horns, Lee Perry and reggae singer Bob Andy amongst others, before the Acid House boom took him, along with many others, in a different musical direction.
What followed was several albums, twelves and ep’s, under various guises on labels such as Reflex, Germany’s Source and San Francisco’s Reflective. This was purely electronic music, with no involvement of any instrumental playing or singing; as a long time singer and player of guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboards, this was a period of stripping back, influenced by the “faceless techno bollocks” represented by artists and labels such as Aphex Twin and Basic Channel.
It was followed after a while by two albums of more pronounced musicality welded to the electronic and dance music values he had explored in the previous few years. These were his solo album Everything on PIAS Recordings (an album of songs taking in lo-fi, jazz standard and electronic-tinged folk influences) and Variations under the moniker Soul Ascendants (along with DJ Nick the Record) on Nuphonic. The latter was a mixture of house, jazz and afro-beat, featuring collaborations with Fela Kuti’s bandleader and drummer from the Africa 70, Tony Allen.
Both these albums were released in 2000, and it was at this time that he was asked to contribute as writer and vocalist to Groove Armada’s third album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). This preceded a period of touring with the band during 2001 – 2002 as vocalist, also helping on trumpet, guitar and keyboard duties, and featuring as vocalist on their next album Lovebox.
Moving on once again, at the end of 2002 he toured with Paul Oakenfold in the States as lead and bass guitarist and vocalist to promote the Oakenfold's album Bunkka, and then as bass player with the breaks-based outfit Hybrid, providing live the bass parts Peter Hook had played on record.
In late 2003 he started working with Tom Findlay from Groove Armada, leading to a remix album Launchpad Remixes.
In 2004 Tim provided horns on several songs on Ian Brown’s album Solarized. He also co-wrote and played guitars and bass on song Time Is My Everything.
Been a Fool
Tim Hutton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been a fool
I've stood around and acted oh so cool
I've been unfaithful and betrayed so cruel
Trust that's not easily given
I've been a fool
I had a temper that was not so cool
I lost my mind and broke the golden rule
If I hadn't been this way
Who knows where I might be today?
Please make an example of me
Or do you want to be alone?
I've been such a fool!
I've been a fool
Back in my face is where my bad deeds came
I know I've only got myself to blame
Not that it makes me feel better
I've been a fool
I had a temper that was not so cool
I've been unfaithful and betrayed so cruel
Followed it through to the letter
If I hadn't been this way
Who knows where I might be today
Please make an example of me
Or do you want to be alone?
If I hadn't been this way
Who knows where I might be today
Please make an example of me
Or do you want to be alone?
I've been such a fool!
The song "Been a Fool" by Tim Hutton is a deeply reflective and introspective piece that addresses the singer's past mistakes and regrets. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that he has been a fool, illustrating that he's acted in a way that was not in his best interest. He admits that he's acted unfaithfully and betrayed people through his actions, leading to a lack of trust.
The singer shares that he had a temper that was not easy to handle, causing him to break the golden rule and lose his mind, leading to unforgivable actions. The lyrics illustrate that he knows he's to blame for his misdeeds and the consequences they've brought back into his life.
As the song progresses, the singer questions if he needs to be made an example of, or if it would be preferred for him to go it alone. The entire song is about taking responsibility for our actions and acknowledging that sometimes our poor choices have consequences that we can't easily escape.
Overall, "Been a Fool" is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking ownership of our choices and their consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Been a fool
I have acted foolishly.
I've been a fool
I confess that I have acted foolishly in the past.
I've stood around and acted oh so cool
I have pretended to be calm and collected even though I was actually foolish and reckless.
I've been unfaithful and betrayed so cruel
I have betrayed someone's trust and acted cruelly towards them.
Trust that's not easily given
Trust is hard to regain once it is broken.
I had a temper that was not so cool
I used to have a bad temper and did not control my emotions well.
I lost my mind and broke the golden rule
I acted impulsively and broke an important rule or code of conduct.
Things that just can't be forgiven
Some mistakes are too great to be forgiven, no matter how much one regrets them.
If I hadn't been this way
If I had not acted foolishly in the past.
Who knows where I might be today?
I wonder how my life would have turned out differently if I had not made mistakes in the past.
Please make an example of me
Punish me as a warning to others not to make the same mistakes.
Or do you want to be alone?
Do you want me to leave you alone and stop bothering you about my mistakes?
Back in my face is where my bad deeds came
The negative consequences of my actions affected me directly and harshly.
I know I've only got myself to blame
I take full responsibility for my actions and the negative consequences that have resulted from them.
Not that it makes me feel better
Even though I know I am responsible for my mistakes, it does not make me feel any better about them.
Followed it through to the letter
I carried out my bad behavior in its entirety, without holding back.
I've been such a fool!
I am disappointed in myself for acting so foolishly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIM HUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timothy Hutton
Thanks so much for your appreciation folks 😘
coolfone
Just can't stop listening. I want 'loop' button!
Elodie Gildore
Thank you so much ! I was listening to that song through a hard part of my life and back in time I threw away the cd while I was recovering. I was desperate to hear it since then and I had no idea about the name of the singer nor the title. The only thing that popped in my mind was some of the lyrics. And today, after 10 years, I found it. Even tough it hurts to listen to it, thanks for the upload.
Draklayer
i still love this song
ScruffMcDuff
this sure as hell fucks with ma emotions. great peace of art! so where do I get a vinyl copy of this?
essemmetv
Stone cold classic.
bboyz5
Just ,love your work T xx
Clem Fandango
Listening to Guy Garvey on 6 Music I arrived at work thinking about this song. I also had it on a free cd from Q magazine but lost it. I could only remember the title though, fortunately good old Google came to the rescue. Had to leave a comment after I read yours, beautiful song
haruspeggs
magisch und ganz groß
Clem Fandango
Big thanks from me as well