In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Love Makes a Fool of the Wise
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was always running back to you
Running never takes you home
You're running wild and all alone
And lost you pay the cost
You held my heart right in your hand
You always seemed to understand
I played it right I played it wrong
I played around with love too long
And love's a game that anyone can lose
[Chorus]
Love breaks the rules
A kind man turns cruel
What begins a dream will end a lie
Love makes a fool of the wise
Old friends don't seem to hang around
They whisper that she's leaving town
They say that I was cruel
They say I played the perfect fool
A fool who never learned the ways of love
[Chorus: x2]
Love makes a fool of the wise
The lyrics of Tom Russell Band's "Love Makes A Fool Of The Wise" explore the complexities of love and its ability to transform even the most logical and sensible person into a fool. The song's opening lines reveal the singer's vulnerability and fear of commitment as he confesses that he has always been running scared and running back to this person. However, he also acknowledges that running never takes you home and that, despite his efforts to outrun his feelings, he is still lost and alone.
As the song progresses, he laments how love can turn even the kindest of people into something cruel and manipulative. He admits to having played around with love for too long and that love is a game that anyone can lose, regardless of how wise or experienced they may be. The chorus serves as a haunting reminder of the power of love to transform and break down even the strongest of people's emotional defenses, leaving them vulnerable and exposed.
The final verse highlights how the singer's actions have not only cost him the love of his life but also the respect of those around him. The old friends that once held him in high esteem now look upon him with pity and disdain, acknowledging that he has played the perfect fool and never learned the ways of love. The song's overall message is that love can be both beautiful and transformative, but it is not without its costs and risks.
Line by Line Meaning
I was always running scared it's true
I was constantly in fear and never stayed still
I was always running back to you
I kept returning to you despite the pain you caused
Running never takes you home
Escaping from problems won't solve them
You're running wild and all alone
You've lost control and now have no one else to turn to
And lost you pay the cost
When you become lost, the consequences can be harsh
You held my heart right in your hand
You had complete control over my emotions
You always seemed to understand
You always knew what to do to manipulate me
I played it right I played it wrong
I kept trying to navigate the relationship but never got it quite right
I played around with love too long
I didn't take the relationship seriously and now it's too late
And love's a game that anyone can lose
Love is unpredictable and can lead to heartbreak for anyone, regardless of how smart or experienced they are
Love breaks the rules
Love defies logic and expectations
A kind man turns cruel
Even the nicest people can become cruel when love is involved
What begins a dream will end a lie
What starts as a blissful dream can quickly turn into a painful lie
Love makes a fool of the wise
Love can make even the smartest people act foolishly
Old friends don't seem to hang around
I've lost touch with friends due to my relationship with you
They whisper that she's leaving town
Rumors are spreading that you're leaving
They say that I was cruel
Others think I mistreated you
They say I played the perfect fool
Others see me as a helpless victim of love
A fool who never learned the ways of love
I was naive and foolish when it came to love
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the chorus
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ruth Boykin
This is a very good song, that I do not recall hearing before! Thank you, John!
john sandiford
Thanks for listening & sharing Ruth
Marryann Lamb
Thanks John enjoyed
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Marryann