Chain of Fools

"Chain of Fools"
Single by Aretha Franklin
from the album Lady Soul
B-side"Prove It"
ReleasedNovember 1967
StudioFAME Studios (Muscle Shoals)
GenreR&B, soul, rock
Length4:03 (original recording)
2:47 (edit)
LabelAtlantic
SongwriterDon Covay
ProducerJerry Wexler
Aretha Franklin singles chronology
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
(1967)		 "Chain of Fools"
(1967)		 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
(1968)

"Chain of Fools" is a song written by Don Covay. Aretha Franklin first released the song as a single in 1967, which hit number one on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It later appeared on her 1968 album Lady Soul.

History

When asked by Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler to write songs for Otis Redding, Don Covay recorded a demo of "Chain of Fools", a song he had written in his youth while singing gospel with his brothers and sisters. After listening to the demo, Wexler chose to give the song to Aretha Franklin rather than Redding.

The song was edited down from 4:03 to 2:47 for the original Lady Soul LP & 45 rpm single; the original long version first appeared on the quadraphonic LP The Best of Aretha Franklin in 1973, and later on the 1995 remaster of Lady Soul on Rhino Records.

Reception

Cash Box magazine said that the song was "a smashing entry that will top both blues and pop charts" with "heavy rhythmic push, and an overwhelming vocal impact."

The single reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart, staying there for four weeks. "Chain of Fools" also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" by John Fred & His Playboy Band. It won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and later a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, it was ranked #249 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The tremolo guitar in the song's introduction was played by Joe South.

Live recordings have appeared on the albums Aretha in Paris (1968) and VH1 Divas Live (1998, with Mariah Carey).

Personnel

Chart positions

Chart (1967–68) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2
U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues 1
RPM Magazine (Can.) Top 100 4
UK Singles Chart 37
US Cashbox Top 100 1

Notable cover versions

Uses in pop culture

Tomika (Maryam Hassan) sings an excerpt from the song in the 2003 film School of Rock.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 52 – The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. [Part 8] : UNT Digital Library" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  2. ↑ Hogan, Ed (1967-06-23). "Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  3. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 2, 1967. p. 22. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 215.
  5. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. 1968-01-20. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  6. ↑ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  7. ↑ "Cashbox Magazine" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ Hung, Steffen (2007-04-16). "Carola [FI] – Chain Of Fools". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ "Carolaa seitsemällä kielellä | Elävä arkisto". Yle.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  10. ↑ "Hear Cynthia Erivo Sing 'Chain of Fools' in New Trailer for Genius: Aretha".
  11. ↑ Ivie, Devon (21 January 2021). "Maryam Hassan Answers Every Question We Have About School of Rock". Vulture. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2024.