Words and music  1996 by Jim Bearden

This started as an attempt to write a song that was less “controversial” than some of my earlier ones (such as “R.A.H.” and “Monuments for the Victims”), and in more of a “commercial” form: two verses, a chorus based on a common conversational “hook line”, and a bridge. You might notice, though, that some “serious” elements still managed to sneak in by the end.

Verse 1:
Today I walked into our house, into an empty space.
Your note said things I didn’t hear when you said them, face to face.
You said last night you really meant it when you said you just couldn’t go on.
Said you couldn’t believe that I wouldn’t believe you were leaving — and now you’re gone.

Chorus 1:   
But you could have fooled me, when you said we were through;
That the things that we’d shared just weren’t enough for you;
And now I sit here alone, with only my memory;
And all I can say is — you could have fooled me.

Verse 2:
Seems we’ve had that same old argument so many times before;
And I’ve learned how to win the battles, but now it seems I’ve lost the war.
You said I might have been winning your silence, but that didn’t mean I’d won your consent;
Said you finally got tired of feeling like you were talking to a wall, and that’s why you went.

Chorus 2:   
But you could have fooled me, and decided to stay;
Given me one more chance, or just one more day;
But now I sit here alone, with only my memory;
And all I can say is — you could have fooled me.

Bridge:
Your note said I was real good at talking, but I should have tried listening, too;
That I’d cared a lot about being me, but I wouldn’t let you be you.

Chorus 3:   
But you could have fooled me, when you said we were through;
That what I thought was love was just smothering you;
And now I sit here alone, with only my memory;
And all I can say is — you could have fooled me.

End:
The only thing I can say is … you could have fooled me.

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