The Fool (Sanford Clark song)

"The Fool" is a song written by Naomi Ford and Lee Hazlewood and performed by Sanford Clark. It reached #5 on the U.S. R&B chart, #7 on the U.S. pop chart, and #14 on the U.S. country chart in 1956.[1]

"The Fool"
Single by Sanford Clark
B-side	"Lonesome for a Letter"
Released	June 1956 (1956-06)
Genre	Rockabilly
Length	2:42
Label	Dot
Songwriter(s)	Naomi Ford, Lee Hazlewood
Sanford Clark singles chronology
"The Fool" (1956) "Usta Be My Baby" (1956)

Al Casey played guitar on the song.[2]

The song was ranked #42 on Billboard magazine's Top 50 singles of 1956.[3]

Other charting versions

• The Gallahads released a version of the song as a single which reached #62 on the U.S. pop chart in 1956.[4]
• Don Gibson released a version of the song as a single which reached #22 on the U.S. country chart in 1978.[5]

Other versions

• Edna McGriff released a version of the song as a single in 1956, but it did not chart.[6]
• Joe Seneca released a version of the song on his 1956 EP.[7]
• Mac Wiseman released a version of the song on his 1960 album Mac Wiseman Sings 12 Great Hits.[8]
• Johnny Burnette released a version of the song on his 1961 album Johnny Burnette Sings.[9]
• Bob Luman released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.[10]
• Bonnie Guitar released a version of the song as a single in 1963, but it did not chart.[11]
• Chris Farlowe released a version of the song as a single in 1965, but it did not chart.[12]
• Johnny Kidd & the Pirates released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1966 single "Send for That Girl".[13]
• Bobby Bare released a version of the song on his 1970 album This is Bare Country.[14]
• Roger Miller released a version of the song on his 1970 album 1970.[15]
• Elvis Presley released a version of the song on his 1971 album Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old).[16]
• The Animals (credited as The Original Animals) released a version of the song on their 1977 reunion album Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted.[17]
• Robert Gordon released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1977 single "Endless Sleep".[18]
• Mano Negra released a version of the song on their 1991 album King of Bongo.[19]
• Bedlam released a version of the song on their 1999 compilation album Anthology.[20]
• The Iveys released a version of the song on their 2017 live album Badfinger Origins: The Iveys Anthology, Volume 1 – Live at The Empire, June 7, 1966, Neath, South Wales.[21]

In popular culture

• Clark's version was featured in the 1990 film Book of Love.

References

1. "Sanford Clark, "The Fool" Chart Positions". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
2. "Sanford Clark, "The Fool" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
3. "1956's Top Popular Records" Billboard January 26, 1957: 60
4. "The Gallahads, "The Fool" Chart Position". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
5. "Don Gibson, "The Fool" Chart Position". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
6. "Edna McGriff, "The Fool" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
7. "Joe Seneca EP". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
8. "Mac Wiseman, Mac Wiseman Sings 12 Great Hits". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
9. "Johnny Burnette, Johnny Burnette Sings". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
10. "Bob Luman, "The Fool" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
11. "Bonnie Guitar, "The Fool" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
12. "Chris Farlowe, "The Fool" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
13. "Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, "Send for That Girl" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
14. "Bobby Bare, This is Bare Country". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
15. "Roger Miller, 1970". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
16. "Elvis Presley, Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
17. "The Animals, Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
18. "Robert Gordon, "Endless Sleep" Single Release". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
19. "Mano Negra, King of Bongo". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
20. "Bedlam, Anthology". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
21. "The Iveys, Badfinger Origins: The Iveys Anthology, Volume 1 – Live at The Empire, June 7, 1966, Neath, South Wales". Retrieved August 24, 2018.