Flashback Friday: "Everybody Plays the Fool" - The Main Ingredient (1972)

This Flashback Friday, we’re taking it back to when things were groovy.

Man, they just… they don’t write like this anymore.

Nope.

No.

No. No. NO.

Anyway, back to this song. I think what I like most about this song is its sincerity and earnestness. In a world where you’d think the people would have had enough of silly love songs… okay, I’m a few years ahead. But this song doesn’t dabble in fairy tales or exaggeration. Sometimes love stinks. And before The J. Geils Band said it, these guys were here to say it.

Everybody plays the fool sometime
There's no exception to the rule
Listen, baby, it may be factual, may be cruel
I ain't lyin', everybody plays the fool

What a straightforward, honest, refreshing chorus this is. Yes, sometimes love can be sweet. But sometimes you just end up playing the fool. And you’re not alone, either. Everybody plays the fool.

Okay, so your heart is broken
You sit around mopin'
Cryin' and cryin'
You say you`re even thinkin' about dyin'
Well, before you do anything rash, dig this
Falling in love is such an easy thing to do

The triviality of love is really highlighted here, especially in contrast to the pain and anguish this person feels. It may be blunt, but it’s also very eye-opening. It also retains that cool, groovy feel that the 70’s had. Can you even say “dig this” anymore without sounding horribly dated? If not, that’s a shame.

And hey, it’s not your fault either.

How can you help it when the music starts to play
And your ability to reason is swept away

Yeah, everybody plays the fool, but they come by it honestly. You can’t help it when the music starts to play. Love’s a fickle game, and this song is here to help you realize it.

Yeah, not much else to say. Just a great song for its time. Now back to sappy love songs. Where’s that Christopher Cross song?

Agree? Disagree? Comment below?