Introduction to What a Fool Believes

The phrase “what a fool believes” has been around for centuries, meant to caution against the allure of believing something without understanding why. The phrase is usually ascribed to metaphors for a gullible and naive person believing something that turns out to be false. In the modern era, it most likely originates from the 1978 hit song of the same title, written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins and performed by The Doobie Brothers.

The Lyrics Behind What a Fool Believes

The song “What a Fool Believes” tells the story of a man whose faith in his partner brings him down, as he believes she will remain faithful even though she no longer loves him and is leaving him.

The lyrics of the song really drive home the point of what it feels like to be someone “foolish” and easily manipulated. The chorus includes the line, “what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away”, which highlights how a naive person’s belief in something can become unbreakable. The song goes on to explore how a foolish person can still love even though they know that the other person doesn’t love them in return.

The Message Behind What a Fool Believes

The song “What a Fool Believes” is ultimately about the power of fooling oneself. It highlights how love can be so powerful that even when we know a situation is bad for us, we may still allow ourselves to believe what we want instead of what is realistically true. It also stresses the importance of keeping an open mind and being aware that our own beliefs may not always be accurate.

The song discourages believing everything we hear and encourages us to question our own assumptions. It reminds us to take a step back before acting on what we think we know and giving ourselves a chance to look at things more objectively. Instead of simply believing the things we hear or see, the song encourages us to restrain ourselves and consider alternative options.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, “What a Fool Believes” is an identifiable and relatable song emphasizing human nature and our tendency to believe things that are false or misguided. It encourages its listeners to be open-minded and to think critically about what they’re told. It serves as a reminder that being too trusting can lead us astray and cause us to make bad decisions. So, as the classic Doobie Brothers song states, don’t be a fool and use your brain to question what you hear.