Fools Like Me

Album: The Way It Really Is (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Loeb wrote this with John Shanks and Shelly Peiken. Shanks is a guitarist and producer who has worked with Michelle Branch, Kelly Clarkson, The Backstreet Boys and many others. Peiken co-wrote Meredith Brooks' hit "Bitch," as well as several songs for Christina Aguilera, including "What a Girl Wants ."

    Says Loeb: "I was in a situation where my record company really wanted to hear the hits. And instead of feeling the pressure to write the hits by myself, I decided to experiment writing with people who are known for writing hit songs. I just like to write songs; although it's fun when they become hits, I don't sit down to write hits. I'd had a couple of co-writing experiences where I wrote with people who had hit songs, and although I avoided it at first because I thought that seemed non-artistic, I realized that although those people were known for writing hits, they're still musicians and songwriters, and they're really fun to work with. And it's really great to see into how other people write music."
  • Says Loeb: "The lyrics are more inspired by the music. If you listen to the chorus that I did, that 'I did, I will, I can,' you know, those repetitive short phrases. It was interesting to learn how lyrics could mean something but also be in front of the music. I think as a listener you mainly focus on the melody and the rhythm of songs more than lyrics sometimes. At least I do. Because I spend way too much time writing lyrics, I don't pay as much attention to them when I'm listening to music. So it was interesting to key into how other people write lyrics based on feelings and based on rhythm and melody, but still make it sound like something. I think those songs that are most fun to sing along to." (Check out our interview with Lisa Loeb.)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."