“Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” by Chris Rea
In “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, the writer seems to suggest that life is just beginning even for someone who may have experienced a bad breakup.
The narrator addresses a young girl who may have suffered a heartbreak in her very first relationship. While consoling her, he continues to imply that she has many more years of life ahead and as such should save her tears. This could either mean she will likely get hurt again in the future and is just starting a journey of heartbreaks, or that there is hope ahead with the possibility of meeting someone who would truly love and cherish her.
The main message in this song is to admonish this young person to not dwell on past pain, but look forward to more experiences in the future.
Facts about “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”
Chris Rea wrote this song himself. As the story goes, the lyrics sprang from comforting his little sister after she had broken up with her boyfriend.
And he produced it with Gus Dudgeon, a musician who worked extensively with Elton John during the Rocketman’s most-productive musical years. They also recorded the song at Gus Dudgeon’s own studio in Berkshire, England.
Despite this being the signature track of Chris Rea’s career and the first one to earn him a big paycheck, he wasn’t overly fond of the finished product. In fact he conceptualized it more as a soul song, i.e. one fit specifically for Al Green.
This is the only single from Chris Rea’s maiden album, “Whatever Happened to Benny Santana?” It proved to be a hit, especially in North America (after bombing in the UK). In fact the song reached number one on Billboard’s Easy Listening (aka Adult Contemporary Singles) chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1979. But it was another British singer by the name of Elkie Brooks who had a notable hit in the UK with Fool… in 1982.
Chris also featured a remake of this song on his 1988 compilation album “New Light Through Old Windows”.
Summary
Fool (If You Think It’s Over) expresses the need for not giving up entirely on life or love because of one bad experience.
I thought the song Fool if You Think it’s Over about his sister ‘s boyfriend passing away and he is trying to comfort her
Same here.. all dressed in black he’s not coming back.. sounds like a funeral
I’ve always loved this songs soulful vocals & Chris Rea’s gravely voice.. it was a refreshing song when it came out during the disco summer of 78, and it’s timeless. Great tune. I wish he’d toured in the US but he never did.
Metaphor
“… anyone who had to pay would laugh at you and say ..” near the end I think means someone who had experienced real loss (death of a spouse, divorce, etc…) would see the triviality of a high school breakup and say it’s really not a big deal.