Showing posts with label Singer Linda Ronstadt-Inspired Poem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singer Linda Ronstadt-Inspired Poem. Show all posts

Friday, April 1, 2022

Post No. 171: For April Fools' Day, Part 1 — "I'm a Fool Who Fell in Love"


(Image by Paul Whiting)

I'm a Fool Who Fell in Love!
(Or, "For All The Fools Who Fall in Love")

On days like this, I will often say with a sigh,
"What a fool am I!"
For, my heart used to be so strong, but now
I'm full of foolish song.
And I shouldn't yearn for him each day, since
I was a fool to fall and get that way
—which must be totally true, because
everyone says I'm a fool to be pinning the whole day through!
And, even though,
"he's a fool and don't I know it...but a fool can have his charms,"
I still feel so safe in his loving arms.
Yet, I will withhold my longing sighs, alas,
'cause I've been fooled in the past!
Which is why—when I see him—I will often cry,
"I'm a fool to want you..."

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I wrote this poem based upon all of the songs from Linda Ronstadt's standard albums "What's New," "Lush Life," "For Sentimental Reasons" and "Hummin' To Myself," which include the words 'fool, foolish or fooled' in the song for April Fools' Day! Plus, the 'he/him' whom I am in love in the poem is allegorical. (Please see the hyperlinks below for the videos.)

By the way, there are two other poems that are inspired by Linda Ronstadt on my blogs. One poem is based upon her last album of standard songs titled, "Hummin' To Myself." The other poem is an homage to the compilation album titled, "'Round Midnight" from her first three albums of standard songs. Both poems are published on this blog. (Please see "Singer Linda Ronstadt-Inspired Poem" in labels for the poems.)

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I was editing it on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

On days like this, I will often say with a sigh, "What a fool am I!" For, my heart used to be so strong, but I'm full of foolish song. And I shouldn't yearn for him each day, since I was a fool to fall and get that way—which must be true, because everyone says I'm a fool to be pinning the whole day through! And even though "he's a fool and don't I know it...but a fool can have his charms," I still feel so safe in his loving arms. Yet, I will withhold my loving sighs, alas, 'cause I've been fooled in the past! Which is why—when I see him—I will often cry, "I'm a fool to want you..."

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was also published on my "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs (please see the hyperlink below for the blogs), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" and "Small All White in the Forest."

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://poetartistandphilosopher.blogspot.com

https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com

[Blogger's Note: It's October 30th, 2025, and I just checked all of the links for the songs below to see of they were still working, however, all but two of them weren't! You see, I recently happened to notice a playlist that I created on YouTube Music, in which I listed all of the tracks from the album 'Round Midnight in reverse order—which is a compilation of the albums What's New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons—was no longer there either. So, I thought to check these links too, which is why I replaced all of the broken links with new ones that are working! -Paulee]

"What a fool am I" is a line from the song "I Get Along Without You Very Well," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album For Sentimental Reasons. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/EOj-0YUqdbI?si=lDquRzhqcDzE5hq5

"I'm full of foolish song" is a line from the song "I've Never Been In Love Before," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album Hummin' to Myself. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/OjbOGvoA21w

"I was a fool to fall and get that way" is a line from the song "But Not For Me," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album For Sentimental Reasons. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/zDDaWmQKeo8?si=dBybCeI93DXgS6uY

"Everyone says I'm a fool to be pinning the whole day through" is a line from the song "Mean To Me," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album Lush Life. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/KHV2L8JGAJ0?si=vfyTpd_0CwLdg36N

"He's a fool and don't I know it, but a fool can have his charms" is a line from the song "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album For Sentimental Reasons. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/bA1SU4oK7PU?si=dx2ID2Em7ASlp-Zu

"'Cause I've been fooled in the past" is a line from the song "I Fall In Love Too Easily," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album Hummin' to Myself. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/LmMh4_Ol71U

"I'm a fool to want you" is a line from the song "I'm A Fool To Want You," which is performed by Linda Ronstadt on her album Lush Life. Watch it on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/nvnqT7ToJNY?si=9lwH_zJiw9_9q5yd

This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 171 was edited on November 5th, 2025.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Monday, February 14, 2022

Post No. 115: For Valentine's Day, Part 4 — For Linda Ronstadt: "My Funny Valentine!"


(Image from Wikipedia)

Tell Her I Said, "Hello!"

When you see her, tell her how much
I've grown, since I wrote of my great
love for her way back in high school.
A lot has now changed—and how it
now shows—since I have "come out of
the closet," and do I feel like a fool!

I could cry myself a river: for, never
will I marry the one hummin' under the
moon with the song of her own tune.
She's the most wonderful singer with the
notes that she can carry, which is why "Miss
Otis Regrets" he can't change anytime soon!

But I fall in love too easily, because she
is divine and that much more. So, let me
sigh when I'm blue—which is just my
prelude to a daydream with Linda as
my valentine, as such—for, I've never
been in love before with a crooner so true!

Linda, I can't get out of town to
escape the bright light of truth;
So, I'll be looking at the moon,
my dear, but I'll be seeing you!

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: For "My Funny Valentine," Linda Ronstadt, whom I've had a crush on since high school...

...And this poem for Valentine's Day is actually the final sonnet poem that I wrote for Linda Ronstadt based upon her last album of standard songs titled, "Hummin' To Myself." (Please see the hyperlink below for the videos.)

The first three sonnets that I wrote for Ms. Ronstadt were based upon her previous three standard albums titled, "What's New," "Lush Life" and "For Sentimental Reasons," respectively.

("In music, a standard is a musical composition of established popularity, considered part of the 'standard repertoire' of one or several genres.")

Those three sonnets were written in the mid-to-late 1980s. And, although I no longer have copies of those three sonnets, the first two sonnets were published in my high school literary magazine in Utah!

By the way, there are two other poems that are inspired by Linda Ronstadt on my blogs. One poem is an homage to the compilation album titled, "'Round Midnight" from her first three albums of standard songs. The other poem is based upon all of the songs from Ms. Ronstadt's standard albums—which include the words 'fool, foolish or fooled' in the song—for April Fools' Day! Both poems are published on this blog. (Please see "Singer Linda Ronstadt-Inspired Poem" in labels for the poems.)

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I was editing it on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

Tell Her I Said, "Hello!"

When you see her, tell her how much
I've grown, since I wrote of my great
love for her, way back in high school.
A lot has now changed, and how it
now shows, since I have come out of
the closet—and boy, do I feel like a fool!

I could cry myself a river; for, never will
I marry the one humming under the
moon with the song of her own tune.
She's the most wonderful singer with
the notes she can carry, which is why "Miss
Otis Regrets" he can't change anytime soon!

But I fall in love too easily, as she is
divine and so much more. So, let me
sigh when I'm blue, which is just my
prelude to a daydream with Linda as
my valentine—as such—for, I have never
been in love before with a crooner so true!

Linda, I can't get out of town to
escape the bright light of truth;
So, I'll be looking at the moon,
my dear, but I'll be seeing you!

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was also published on my "Small All White in the Forest" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Small All White in the Forest."

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com

Watch "Linda Ronstadt - Hummin to Myself" on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtJK_InIjqtSGYZGVxNKRTPVoSbsqsxff

"Hummin' to Myself (Linda Ronstadt album)" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable one-time donation if they are requesting donations when I am on their website):

Track listing:

1. Tell Him I Said Hello
2. Never Will I Marry
3. Cry Me a River
4. Hummin' to Myself
5. Miss Otis Regrets
6. I Fall in Love Too Easily
7. Blue Prelude
8. Day Dream
9. I've Never Been in Love Before
10. Get Out of Town
11. I'll Be Seeing You

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummin%27_to_Myself_(Linda_Ronstadt_album)

This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 115 was edited on November 5th, 2025.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]

Post No. 114: For Valentine's Day, Part 3 — For Linda Ronstadt: 'Round Midnight


(Image from AllMusic)

'Round Midnight

What's New, My Old Flame?
Little Girl Blue, It Never Entered My Mind
that I would be Falling In Love Again!
But You Took Advantage Of Me, Sophisticated Lady.
And the Lush Life is Mean To Me, because
You Go To My Head close to 'Round Midnight.
For, When Your Lover Has Gone, Goodbye is all you have!
Am I Blue?
I Get Along Without You Very Well, My Funny Valentine,
but, then, (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.
Therefore, I'm A Fool To Want You!
You see, When I Fall In Love,
I want Someone To Watch Over Me.
And that is why I've Got A Crush On You!
Thus, When You Wish Upon A Star,
you are just so Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered.
But I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You.
So, Can't We Be Friends?
You say, "Crazy He Calls Me...But Not For Me!"
You say, "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)?"
Then you say, "Skylark, Straighten Up And Fly Right!"
What'll I Do?
Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry...

-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"

My Writing Notes:

The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: This poem is an homage to Linda Ronstadt's compilation album of her first three albums of standard songs titled, "'Round Midnight." ("In music, a standard is a musical composition of established popularity, considered part of the 'standard repertoire' of one or several genres.") Ms. Ronstadt's first three albums of standard songs were titled, "What's New," "Lush Life" and "For Sentimental Reasons," respectively. And in this poem, I used each title of every song from the compilation album "'Round Midnight" as a part of the poem! (Please see the hyperlink below for the videos.)

By the way, there are two other poems that are inspired by Linda Ronstadt on my blogs. One poem is based upon her last album of standard songs titled, "Hummin' To Myself." The other poem is based upon all of the songs from Ms. Ronstadt's standard albums which include the words 'fool, foolish or fooled,' in the song—for April Fools' Day! Both poems are published on this blog. (Please see "Singer Linda Ronstadt-Inspired Poem" in labels for the poems.)

Just so you know, I revised this poem, as I often do with my writing! And I changed how this poem was written when I was editing it on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs. So, I wanted to show you how this poem used to be written, before I revised it as above.

And it used to be written like this:

What's New, My Old Flame? Little Girl Blue, It Never Entered My Mind, I would be Falling In Love Again! But You Took Advantage Of Me, Sophisticated Lady. The Lush Life is Mean To Me, since You Go To My Head just 'Round Midnight. For, When Your Lover Has Gone, Goodbye is all you have! Am I Blue? I Get Along Without You Very Well, My Funny Valentine, but (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons. So, I'm A Fool To Want You! For, When I Fall In Love, I want Someone To Watch Over Me. And that is why I've Got A Crush On You! For, When You Wish Upon A Star, you are just so Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered. But I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You. So, Can't We Be Friends? You say, "Crazy He Calls Me," But Not For Me! You say, "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)?," But Not For Me! And then you say, "Skylark, Straighten Up And Fly Right!" What'll I Do? Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry...

Thus, I revised this poem to be written as it is above.

And this poem was also published on my "Small All White in the Forest" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Small All White in the Forest."

This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.

-Paulee

https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com

Watch "'Round Midnight by Linda Ronstadt with The Nelson Riddle Orchestra" on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoDH1jJDcQEQPeTVsuoAz1UbN84LVs4pC

[Blogger's Note: It's October 29th, 2025, and I just checked the link above for the album 'Round Midnight to see of it was still working, but it's not! You see, I recently happened to notice that a playlist that I created on YouTube Music—in which I listed all of the 'Round Midnight album's tracks in reverse order—was no longer there either. So, I thought to check this link too, which is why I placed the strike through on the link! -Paulee]

[Blogger's Note: It's October 30th, 2025, and in response to checking the link above for the album 'Round Midnight and finding that it wasn't working, please find the following YouTube links to Linda Ronstadt's albums What's New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons, which are the albums that the compilation album 'Round Midnight is based upon! -Paulee]

Watch "What's New by Linda Ronstadt" on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-a8UnXIJbSEcdA0SU41IivUHZ9ZTtAAA&si=_Upz77dNnV6BuMK3

Watch "Lush Life by Linda Ronstadt" on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mNMl6HqR_WwU7yYNZJYJvyEiSYkLXBs0Y&si=1u66ucFskueWs6X1

Watch "For Sentimental Reasons by Linda Ronstadt" on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3H3cZqG4q3N4HgPwHaj1PHhyq1owLRfM&si=dxKlh3x-zHWOojss

Track Listing for "'Round Midnight" by Linda Ronstadt:

1. What's New?
2. I've Got a Crush on You
3. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
4. Crazy He Calls Me
5. Someone to Watch Over Me
6. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
7. What'll I Do
8. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?)
9. Goodbye
10. When I Fall in Love
11. Skylark
12. It Never Entered My Mind
13. Mean to Me
14. When Your Lover Has Gone
15. I'm a Fool to Want You
16. You Took Advantage of Me
17. Sophisticated Lady
18. Can't We Be Friends?
19. My Old Flame
20. Falling in Love Again
21. Lush Life
22. When You Wish Upon a Star
23. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
24. You Go to My Head
25. But Not for Me
26. My Funny Valentine
27. I Get Along Without You Very Well
28. Am I Blue?
29. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
30. Straighten Up and Fly Right
31. Little Girl Blue
32. 'Round Midnight

This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 114 was edited on November 5th, 2025.

"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]