'Fool' by Hudson Westbrook - Lyrics & Meaning

Country music's most buzzed about newcomer, Hudson Westbrook, has had a whirlwind last 14 months or so dating back to the release of his breakout, debut single, 'Take It Slow.'

Soaking in the limelight from one release to the next ever since–including his debut radio single, 'House Again,' and the viral offerings of 'Sober,' '5 to 9,' 'Dressed Down' and more–the burgeoning artist is finally releasing his debut record, Texas Forever, on July 25.

Carving his place as one of country music’s most promising new voices, the project features 17 tracks, all co-written by the North Texas native, showcasing the depth and charm of a young artist raised on country tradition but unafraid to push its boundaries. Created alongside close collaborators like Neil Medley, Lukas Scott, Reid Haughton, Beau Bailey and more, the record explores themes of hard work, family, love and personal battles.

Near the top of the tracklist, listeners will find the lovestruck 'Fool,' which finds Westbrook simply head over heels for the girl of his dreams.

Written alongside Neil Medley, Dan Alley & Ryan Beaver, the 2025 offering from the native Texan serves up the same general sound that has quickly become his signature calling card, seamlessly blending neotraditional and red dirt country with a sleek mainstream sheen.

Featuring a tinny effect on Westbrook's voice at the beginning and end, the bright tune has a menagerie of layers sonically. With joyful fiddles and a full country band at the ready, the burgeoning star also shows off a little bit of yodeling in the chorus, making it a rollicking listen.

Revitalizing the organic country-rock of red dirt, the rough-around-the-edges singer-songwriter first picked up a guitar in just 2020, effectively teaching himself how to play while enrolled in high school. In 2023, during his time at Texas Tech, he started playing around with melodies, penning what would be the first of many songs to his name, including the sprawling list of tracks that found their way onto Texas Forever.

"Works like a charm every time
You call me up late at night
Wandering in, my truck's in drive on its way to you
What can I say, it don't take much
For my heart to forget how goodbye was
It don't make sense, but it sure adds up to nothing left to lose"

Our narrator explains that when it comes to this girl, there's nothing that he can do to fight off his feelings for her.

No matter when she calls him or needs him, he's there in an instant, ready to pick up and do whatever it takes to be right by her side. Needless to say, he's utterly shameless about being completely and totally wrapped around her finger.

"I'm a fool
Fool for you
I'm trying to keep my cool
Baby, there ain't no use
You can fool me once, that's alright
As long as you promise to fool me twice
I'm a fool
Fool for you"

In a simple chorus, he confesses that there's no other way to explain his connection to her than calling himself a fool who's hopelessly in love with her.

Try as he might to play it cool and fend off his feelings, he'll play this cat and mouse game with her 100 times over as long as he can have her eyes on him.

"I'd be in Tulsa, guitar in my hand
South of San Antone in no man's land
Couple days away, I don't give a damn
If you want me, I'll come through"

Underlining the lengths that he would go to to do whatever she wanted, our singer explains that he could be at a gig in Tulsa or in the middle of nowhere Texas, but if her name lit up his phone, he'd be on his way to her in an instant.

Regardless of the distance or circumstances, it's almost as though she's his favorite drug of choice, and he just can't get enough.

"I'm a fool
Fool for you
I'm trying to keep my cool
Baby, there ain't no use
You can fool me once, that's alright
As long as you promise to fool me twice
I'm a fool
Fool for you"

In the build up to the release of Texas Forever, Westbrook has been popping out one instantly beloved hit after another.

While he hasn't said anything specific about 'Fool' at this point, the budding talent has noted just how important this long-awaited debut project is to him and all the work that went into bringing it to life.

“I’m so proud of this record,” Westbrook says. “I love Texas, it’s shaped so much about who I am. We wrote 50-60 songs for this project and narrowed it down to 17 that I think really represent where I am in my life right now and what I love making as an artist: songs that sound like where I grew up, but read like something that just about anyone could relate to.”

Works like a charm every time
You call me up late at night
Wandering in, my truck's in drive on its way to you
What can I say, it don't take much
For my heart to forget how goodbye was
It don't make sense, but it sure adds up to nothing left to lose

I'm a fool
Fool for you
I'm trying to keep my cool
Baby, there ain't no use
You can fool me once, that's alright
As long as you promise to fool me twice
I'm a fool
Fool for you

I'd be in Tulsa, guitar in my hand
South of San Antone in no man's land
Couple days away, I don't give a damn
If you want me, I'll come through

I'm a fool
Fool for you
I'm trying to keep my cool
Baby, there ain't no use
You can fool me once, that's alright
As long as you promise to fool me twice
I'm a fool
Fool for you

Yeah, only for you

Maybe I'm crazy and I don't care
I'm gonna love you even if it ain't fair

I'm a fool
Fool for you
I'm trying to keep my cool
Baby, there ain't no use
You can fool me once, baby, that's alright
As long as you promise to fool me twice
I'm a fool
Fool for you

Yeah, only for you

I'm a fool for you

--

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