I had completely forgotten about this song until I saw the Audrey Tautou Chanel advert. Recorded towards the end of her career, when her voice was a shadow of its former self, the song is dripping with undeniable emotion.
Composer Ray Ellis says of the track:
'I would say that the most emotional moment was her listening to the playback of "I'm a Fool to Want You". There were tears in her eyes...After we finished the album I went into the control room and listened to all the takes. I must admit I was unhappy with her performance, but I was just listening musically instead of emotionally. It wasn't until I heard the final mix a few weeks later that I realized how great her performance really was.'
Ellis also tells of how Holiday drank vodka throughout the recording of the song. The pain, the pathos, it's all there. Originally recorded by Frank Sinatra, this is a prime example of a cover being better than the original.
I've been listening to this track a lot lately. It's one of those moments when music just clicks with you. It breaks me, every time.
'I'm a fool to want you
I'm a fool to want you
To want a love that can't be true
A love that's there for others too
I'm a fool to hold you
Such a fool to hold you
To seek a kiss not mine alone
To share a kiss that Devil has known
Time and time again I said I'd leave you
Time and time again I went away
But then would come the time when I would need you
And once again these words I had to say
Take me back, I love you
...I need you
I know it's wrong, it must be wrong
But right or wrong I can't get along
Without you'
