20 Best Songs About Fools

Nina Hampson

There’s no doubt that fools are a common topic in songs.

After all, who can’t relate to the feeling of being a fool for love or for anything else?

While there are countless songs about fools, we’ve whittled it down to 20 of the best.

From heartbreak to betrayal, these songs will make you feel all the feels and remind you that being a fool isn’t always a bad thing.

By the way, if you’re looking for more songs about fools, you might find some good songs in our other articles, such as rock songs about unrequited love, songs about pants, songs about pregnancy, songs about purple, and songs about roses.

The Fool On The Hill – The Beatles

The Fool On The Hill

The Fool On The Hill is a song by The Beatles that was released in 1967.

The song is about a fool who is unable to see the truth that is right in front of him.

The lyrics describe the fool as someone who is always looking for answers in the wrong places.

Despite the fact that he is surrounded by people who care for him, the fool remains oblivious to their advice and unwilling to listen to reason.

In the end, the song suggests that it is better to be a fool who is happy and content with his own thoughts than a wise person who is constantly filled with doubt and confusion.

While The Fool On The Hill may not be one of The Beatles’ best-known songs, it remains an interesting and thought-provoking piece of music.

What A Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers

What a Fool Believes

The Doobie Brothers are a rock band best known for their hits “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes.”

The latter song, released in 1978, is a melancholy ballad about a man who is trying to recapture the magic of a past relationship.

The lyrics tell the story of a man who is bitterly disappointed when he finally sees his former lover again and realizes that she has moved on.

Despite the fact that she is now married and has children, he still cannot let go of his feelings for her.

The song is widely considered to be one of the band’s finest moments, and it remains a radio favorite to this day.

Fool For Your Loving – Whitesnake

Whitesnake - Fool for Your Loving (Official Music Video)

Musically, “Fool for Your Loving” is a mid-tempo blues rock song that features a repeating twelve-bar chord progression.

The song’s main riff was inspired by the 1960s soul music hit “In the Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett.

The song’s opening drum beat is similar to that of Pickett’s song “Mustang Sally”.

lyrically, the song is about a man who has been fooled by a woman who has taken advantage of him.

The song’s narrator warns other men to be careful of this woman, saying that she will only bring them heartache and pain.

Despite the negative message of the lyrics, the song has a catchy and upbeat melody that has made it a Whitesnake classic.

Fool To Cry – The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones - Fool To Cry - OFFICIAL PROMO

The Rolling Stones are a legendary British rock band with a career spanning over 50 years.

They have released dozens of classic hits, including “Fool To Cry.”

“Fool To Cry” is a song about the dangers of being too trusting.

The lyrics warn that there are people in the world who will take advantage of your kindness and that it’s important to be careful who you trust.

The song has a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, making it one of the band’s most popular songs.

“Fool To Cry” is an excellent example of The Rolling Stones’ ability to craft catchy and thought-provoking songs.

Fool In The Rain – Led Zeppelin

Fool in the Rain (Remaster)

Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” is a song about, well, fools.

But more specifically, it’s about a man who is waiting for his lover to meet him, but she never shows up.

He gets caught in a rainstorm and ends up getting drenched, but he doesn’t mind because he’s certain that she’ll eventually come.

It’s only when he gets home and she’s not there that he realizes he’s been played for a fool.

The lyrics perfectly capture the image of a man standing in the rain, getting soaked and feeling foolish, but still holding out hope.

It’s a sad and beautiful song and one that perfectly captures the feeling of being betrayed by someone you love.

Foolin’ – Def Leppard

Def Leppard - Foolin'

“Foolin'” is a song by English rock band Def Leppard from their 1983 album Pyromania.

The song was written by guitarist Steve Clark and singer Joe Elliott.

It was released as the second single from the album in 1984.

“Foolin'” peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the band’s first top 10 hit in the UK, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart.

The song is about a young man who is infatuated with a girl who does not reciprocate his feelings.

He is trying to convince her to change her mind, but she rejects him outright.

In the end, he comes to realize that he was foolish to think that she would ever be interested in him. 

Chain Of Fools – Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools (Official Lyric Video)

“Chain of Fools” is a song written by Don Covay and originally recorded by Aretha Franklin in 1967.

The song was a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and winning a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The song’s title refers to a chain gang, which is a group of prisoners forced to work together.

The lyrics describe how the singer has been fooled by love, and she compares her situation to being chained to a group of fools.

Despite the song’s sad subject matter, it has a soulful and upbeat sound that has made it a favorite among R&B and soul fans.

FOOLS – Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan - FOOLS (Blue Neighbourhood Part 2/3)

Troye Sivan’s song “Fools” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about the universality of love and heartbreak.

The lyrics are both simple and profound, capturing the emotions of falling in love and the pain of betrayal with equal clarity.

Here, Sivan sets up the contrast between the naiveté of his friends and his own world-weariness.

He knows that his friends are blindly stumbling through life, making the same mistakes over and over, but he can’t help but love them anyway.

Fool For The City – Foghat

Fool for the City (2016 Remaster)

“Fool for the City” is a song by Foghat that was released in 1975.

The song is about a city slicker who comes to the country and gets into trouble with the locals.

The song became a top 40 hit and is one of the band’s most popular songs.

The song has been used in several movies and TV shows, including “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill.”

Fool If You Think It’s Over – Chris Rea

Chris Rea - Fool If You Think Its Over (Official Music Video)

Chris Rea’s “Fool If You Think It’s Over” is a song about second chances.

The lyrics tell the story of a man who has hit rock bottom but is determined to turn his life around.

Despite all the setbacks he has faced, he still believes that he can make something of himself.

The song is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they were down and out.

It is a reminder that it is never too late to start again.

No matter how many times you have been told that you are a fool, there will always be someone who believes in you.

So don’t give up, keep fighting, and someday you will find the success you have been searching for.

Poor Little Fool – Ricky Nelson

Poor Little Fool (Remastered 2005)

Poor Little Fool was released in 1958 as Ricky Nelson’s debut single, and it immediately established him as a teen idol.

The song is a classic example of the “brokenhearted fool” trope, with Nelson singing about how he was fooled by a girl who promised him, eternal love.

Despite its subject matter, the song is ebullient and catchy, with a memorable melody that has made it a timeless pop classic.

In the decades since its release, Poor Little Fool has been covered by countless artists, cementing its place in popular music history.

Whether you’re a fan of Nelson’s original version or one of the many covers, there’s no denying that Poor Little Fool is a truly timeless song.

Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – Connie Francis

Everybody's Somebody's Fool

“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” is a 1960 song recorded by American singer Connie Francis.

The song was written by Jackie Curtis, Howard Greenfield, and Neil Sedaka.

It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 19, 1960, becoming Francis’ only chart-topping single in the United States.

The song also peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart.

“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” is about a woman who is heartbroken over a man who has left her for someone else.

Ship Of Fools – World Party

World Party - Ship Of Fools

Ship of Fools is a song by English rock band World Party.

It was released as the lead single from their second album, Goodbye Jumbo (1990).

The song was written by band leader Karl Wallinger and is about the folly of humanity.

The lyric “we’re all aboard the ship of fools” refers to the belief that people are blindly following each other without thinking for themselves.

The song was a top 40 hit in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

It remains one of the World Party’s best-known songs.

Fools – Deep Purple

Fools (1996 Remaster)

Deep Purple’s “Fools” is a song about the dangers of being too trusting.

The lyrics tell the story of a man who is taken in by a woman who is not all she seems.

The man soon realizes that he has been fooled, and the song ends with him warning others to be careful of who they trust.

Though the song is clearly cautionary, it also has an element of fun, thanks in part to its catchy melody and Deep Purple’s signature hard-rock sound.

As a result, “Fools” is both an enjoyable listen and a reminder to be skeptical of those who seem too good to be true.

Don’t Want To Be A Fool – Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross - Don't Want To Be A Fool

“Don’t Want to Be a Fool” is a song recorded by American singer Luther Vandross.

It was released in March 1991 as the lead single from his album Power of Love.

The song peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

“Don’t Want to Be a Fool” was written by Vandross, Marcus Miller, and Dionne Warwick.

The song was produced by Miller and features call and response vocals between Vandross and female background vocalists.

The lyrics of “Don’t Want to Be a Fool” express the singer’s vulnerability and fear of being hurt by love.

Fools Gold – The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses - Fools Gold (Official Video)

“Fools Gold” is a song by the English rock band the Stone Roses.

It was released as a single in September 1989 and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

The song was written by the band’s guitarist, John Squire, and singer, Ian Brown. It features a sample of the Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan singing “Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali dam dam”.

The song was included on the band’s debut album, The Stone Roses (1989), and has been described as one of their signature tunes.

Fool’s Gold – One Direction

One Direction - Fool's Gold (Audio)

“Fool’s Gold” is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M..

The song was released as the album’s second single on 13 November 2015.

“Fool’s Gold” is a mid-tempo pop rock ballad with a guitar-driven sound.

Lyrically, the song is about finding love in unexpected places.

Critics were generally positive in their review of “Fool’s Gold”.

Many praised the song’s instrumentation and production, while others commended its lyrics and catchiness.

At the 2016 Brit Awards, “Fool’s Gold” was nominated for Best British Single.

The music video for the song was released on 14 December 2015 and features the band members performing in a desert landscape.

Taken For A Fool – The Strokes

The Strokes - Taken for a Fool (Official Video)

The song “Taken for a Fool” by the band The Strokes is a song about being deceived by someone that you thought you could trust.

The lyrics talk about how the narrator was “taken for a fool” by someone that they thought was their friend.

The lyrics also describe how the person who deceived the narrator is now gone, and how the narrator is now left feeling foolish and betrayed.

The song is written in a first-person perspective, which allows the listener to feel as if they are in the shoes of the person who has been deceived.

“Taken for a Fool” is a relatable song that many people can relate to, and it is also a song with a catchy melody and interesting lyrics.

April Fools’ Day Song – Whitney Avalon

April Fools’ Day Song (Whitney Avalon ft. Jon Cozart)

Whitney Avalon’s April Fools’ Day Song is a fun, upbeat tune about the foolishness of practical jokes and pranks.

The song starts with a light-hearted description of some harmless pranks, like putting salt in someone’s coffee or putting a whoopee cushion on a chair.

But as the song goes on, it becomes clear that Avalon is not a fan of more malicious pranks, like telling someone their house is on fire or switching out their toothpaste for Preparation H.

In the end, she urges listeners to “be kind to fools” and not play tricks that will cause them real harm.

With its catchy melody and positive message, Avalon’s April Fools’ Day Song is sure to put a smile on your face – even if you’re the victim of a prank!

Fools – Van Halen

Van Halen "Fools" @ Piper Club Rome Italy 1980

“Fools” is a song by American rock band Van Halen.

It was released as the fourth and final single from their 1984 album, 1984.

The song is about a young man who is in love with a girl who is in love with someone else.

The lyrics describe the young man’s frustration at not being able to win her over, and his belief that she is making a mistake by choosing someone else over him.

“Fools” was a moderate success, reaching number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The music video for the song was directed by David Lee Roth and features the band performing in an old theater.