Most of the artists who end up on Yacht Rock playlists generally do so with songs that aren’t that far off from the kind of music that they’ve released throughout their careers. But now and again, you get somebody who delivers a soft-rock classic that steps well out of their comfort zone to do it.
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Such was the case with the British artist Chris Rea. His 1978 hit “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” seemed to put him in the mode of sensitive singer-songwriter. But the rest of his career would veer far from that early hit.
The Great ‘Santini’
Chris Rea was a bit of a late starter to music, not picking up a guitar till he was already in his 20s. But he quickly showed an affinity and talent for the instrument. His influences were mostly blues players. He began his professional career in the early 70s.
Rea formed a couple of groups in the middle of the decade while also scoring a deal to record as a solo artist. Eventually, he put together a solo album with the odd title Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? It was a reference to a stage name that Rea jokingly considered when the label suggested his own might not work.
Gus Dudgeon, known for his work on Elton John’s classic LPs, produced the album. Dudgeon tried to push Rea in a commercial direction, which was understandable considering his experience with John. To that end, the first single Rea released, “Fool (If You Think Is Over)”, made it all the way to No. 12 in the US.
Successful ‘Fool’
While the success, which included a Best New Artist nomination, was nice for Rea, it came with a song that wasn’t representative of the artist he wanted to be. For example, the guitar, his instrument of choice, is hardly heard in the song. Instead, you get a warm-breeze rhythmic bed, keyboards, strings, and a slinky saxophone.
On top of that, he didn’t even think of “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” as a track for him to record. When he was writing it, he imagined Al Green recording it. Nonetheless, the song, which was inspired by Rea’s sister going through a breakup, positioned him as an adult contemporary artist.
Notably, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” didn’t do much in Rea’s native country. By the late 80s, however, he had established himself all over again as a blues rocker in England. He’d eventually release albums in 1989 and 1991 that would top the charts in the United Kingdom.
Behind the Lyrics of “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”
“Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” teems with the wisdom of a big brother who’s known youthful heartache. And he also knows that it doesn’t last. The narrator understands how wronged one can feel in that situation. “Who could love,” he asks, “and do that to you?” But time is on her side. “Well, save your tears,” Rea sings. “You’ve got years and years.”
Rea suggests her anguish is illusory. “The pains of seventeens,” he sings, referring to her age. “Unreal, they’re only dreams.” Instead, she should focus on the long future ahead of her. “You’re a fool if you think it’s over,” Rea advises. “It’s just begun.”
Chris Rea clearly didn’t feel too comfortable with the early path of his career. Give him credit for swerving and ultimately finding his lane. But “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” suggests that there was a potential Yacht Rock legend lurking inside him.
Photo by Ferenc Szelepcsenyi/Shutterstock
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