What Kind of Fool Am I?

"What Kind of Fool Am I?" is a popular song written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and published in 1962. It was introduced by Anthony Newley in the musical Stop The World - I Want To Get Off. It comes at the end of Act Two to close the show.^[1][2] Bricusse and Newley received the 1961 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically,^[3] and the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year, becoming the first Britons to do so.

Background

This song was recorded whilst Newley was on the road with this production in the United States, after its successful run in the United Kingdom. By the time the cast reached New York, Tony Bennett had re-recorded the song.

Cover versions

The song was a hit for Sammy Davis, Jr. in the year of its publication, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at #6 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.^[4] It also won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Andy Williams included the song on his 1963 album Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests. In 1963 Shirley Bassey released this song as a Columbia Record single and her version reached #47 on the UK charts. Lesley Gore included a version of the song on her 1963 debut album, I'll Cry If I Want To.^[5] Lesser chart records included Robert Goulet and the writer, Anthony Newley. James Brown recorded "What Kind of Fool Am I?" for his 1970 album Soul on Top. In 1964, jazz artist Vince Guaraldi did a latin jazz cover for his album "The Latin Side Of Vince Guaraldi". Sergio Franchi covered this song on his 1963 RCA Victor Red Seal album Broadway, I Love You.^[6] George Maharis also covered the song on his 1963 album "Just Turn Me Loose!"^[7]

"What Kind of Fool Am I?" also is known as the signature song of Regine Velasquez. Done in power ballad style and powerful vocals, the song help reach platinum status on its 1994 CD-release and is included on her multiplatinum international album "Listen Without Prejudice". Achieved At least 2x Platinum Per Asian Country in the cited year.

Tony Hancock is reputed to have played this song continuously after his career began to falter during the early 1960s.

Kermit the Frog performed this song on The Ed Sullivan Show on May 31, 1970, where he was repeatedly interrupted by the Sesame Street character Grover. Several other Muppet monsters made cameo appearances in the finale.

The song was recorded again in 2002 by Chicago entertainer, Dave Seabaugh on his Dave Seabaugh LIVE album.

"What Kind of Fool Am I?" is recorded by pop symphony singer Sarah Pacheco on her album Sarah Pacheco ... On Broadway in 2005 which achieved gold status. It is a staple in her concerts and one of her signature songs on the concert stage.

Donald Braswell II recorded this song on his 2007 album New Chapter.

The American indie folk rock band Deer Tick recorded a cover of the song on their 2007 album War Elephant.

Clay Aiken recorded the song on his 2010 album Tried and True.

Song legacy

This song was the inspiration for a Gary Larson cartoon.

References