Chain of Fools (song)

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“Chain of Fools”
Single by Aretha Franklin
from the album Lady Soul
Released 1967
Format 7" single
Genre Soul
Length 2:47
Label Atlantic Records
Writer(s) Don Covay
Producer Jerry Wexler
Certification Gold
Aretha Franklin singles chronology
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
(1967)
"Chain of Fools"
(1967)
"Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
(1968)
For the 2000 film, see Chain of Fools (film).

"Chain of Fools" is a successful song written by Don Covay. Aretha Franklin first released the song as a single in 1967 and subsequently it appeared on many of her albums. Peaking at #1 on the R&B chart for four weeks, and going to #2 on the pop chart in January 1968. It won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and later a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, this song was #249 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[edit] Chart positions

Charts Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2
U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues 1 (4 weeks)


[edit] Cover versions

"Chain of Fools" was one of the soul songs covered by the 1990 Irish film The Commitments. It was sung by The Commitments band's female singers "The Commitmentettes" and features in the movie's self-titled soundtrack album.

On American Idol season 7, contestant Syesha Mercado sang this song during Hollywood week.

In 1990 the American hard rock band Little Caesar covered the song on their self-titled debut album.

In 2001 the American Rock/Punk band Lit made a cover of the song for their album Atomic, where it is a bonus song.

The song is used as "Lei Lei Lei" as the ending theme to Ok Il Prezzo E Giusto.


[edit] External links

Preceded by
"I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Billboard's Hot Rhythm & Blues number one single
January 20 - February 10, 1968
Succeeded by
"I Wish It Would Rain" by The Temptations


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