Foolish Love

Rufus Wainwright's song 'Foolish Love' delves into the complexities and emotional turmoil of unrequited love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is deeply infatuated but also painfully aware of the futility of their feelings. The opening lines, 'I don't want to hold you and feel so helpless / I don't want to smell you and lose my senses,' set the tone for the song, highlighting the internal conflict between desire and the realization of helplessness. This juxtaposition of longing and despair is a recurring theme throughout the song.

The metaphor of twisting like a corkscrew and drinking from a bottle while weeping captures the intoxicating yet sorrowful nature of love that cannot be reciprocated. The protagonist's attempt to mask their vulnerability by adopting a facade of indifference and strength is evident in lines like 'So I will walk without care, beat my snare / Look like a man who means business.' This facade is further emphasized by the protagonist's efforts to blend into high society and terminate all signs of weakness, showcasing the lengths to which one might go to hide their true emotions.

The chorus, 'Oh, all for the sake / All for the sake of a foolish love,' serves as a poignant reminder of the irrationality and self-destructive tendencies that often accompany unrequited love. The song's narrative continues with the protagonist's resolve to adopt a stoic demeanor, symbolized by taking coffee black and hanging with 'wolves who are sheepish.' The imagery of Noah's Ark and wearing shades on sunless days further underscores the protagonist's desire to remain detached and unaffected by their surroundings, all in a futile attempt to cope with the pain of unreciprocated affection.