Foolish

Album: I'm Coming Home (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • If being kind to people is wrong, then Johnny Mathis doesn't want to be right. In this song, written by Philadelphia soul songwriters Thom Bell and Linda Creed, the velvet-voiced singer knows people will take advantage of his gentle nature, but he'll never apologize for being kind. The sentiment echoes Mathis' real-life personality, according to Bell, who also produced the album. "John is just a natural, sensitive guy," he explained in a PopMatters interview. "That was something Creed drew from John."

    One line in particular, "I'll lend a hand to any man. And if that's wrong then you can call me foolish," was inspired by a real-life incident. Bell recalled: "We were walking down the street in San Francisco. Mathis would see a street person and dig in his pocket to give him some money but his manager didn't allow him. If he had $1,000 in his pocket, he'd give it all away. Tears would come in his eyes. He's that sensitive. You can hear it in his voice."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.