“Fool”ish Bonus: Without Love (I Had Nothing)

“To live for today and to love for tomorrow
Is the wisdom of a fool….”

Those are the opening words spoken by Tom Jones on the song “Without Love.” With today being April Fool’s Day, that line really stuck in my head. Not because is it powerfully true, but because of the way he delivers the line (the whole spoken intro, really).

Listen to the emphasis and delivery he has on the word “fool.” It strikes me every time. That opening monologue only sets the stage for a painful story of a man who has conquered the world, but is missing the most important thing in life – love.

In my humble opinion, this is one of the best vocal performances ever recorded.

To live for today and to love for tomorrow
Is the wisdom of a fool
Because tomorrow is promised to no one
You see love is that wonderful thing
That the whole wide world needs plenty of
And if you think for one minute that you can live without it
Then you are only fooling yourself
Listen please, I’d like to tell you something
That happened to me just the other day

I awakened this morning, I was filled with despair
All my dreams turned to ashes, now they’re gone
As I looked at my life, it was barren and so bare
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all

Without love, I had nothing
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all
I have conquered the world
But one thing did I have
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all

I once had a sweetheart who loved only me
There was nothing, that she would not give, no, no
I was blind to her goodness and I just could not see
That a heart without love cannot live

Without love, I had nothing
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all
I have conquered the world
But one thing did I have
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all
Without love, I had nothing, nothing at all