A classic pop song of all time and lately a favourite of Aretha's of mine which I came to latterly somehow . . . . . I have a penchant for songs and indeed artwork (see below) that emphasis the human condition of pathos and foolishness is general, Ship of Fools (The Doors), Idiot Wind (Bob Dylan) etc etc My spirit creature would be by choice the Tarot card of The Fool and I was always a fan of the sixties designer Simon and Marijke 'The Fool' I also got told off so frequently at school and elsewhere for 'playing the fool' so why not!
On this day in music history: January 20, 1968 - “Chain Of Fools” by Aretha Franklin hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 4 weeks, also peaking at #2 for 2 weeks on the same date. Written by Don Covay, is the fourth R&B chart topper for the “Queen Of Soul”. “Chain Of Fools” is originally written for Otis Redding when producer Jerry Wexler asks Covay to write something for Redding. Upon hearing Covay’s demo, Wexler decided that it would be better suited for Aretha Franklin, rather than Otis. Franklin records her version on June 23, 1967 at Atlantic Studios in New York City with members of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, sax player King Curtis, and background vocals by Aretha’s sisters Erma and Carolyn Franklin, The Sweet Inspirations and songwriter Ellie Greenwich. The track also features guitarist Joe South who adds the songs’ memorable opening guitar riffs to the intro after the initial recording is completed. In its original form, “Chain Of Fools” runs nearly four and a half minutes, then considered far too long to be released as a single. Engineer Tom Dowd skillfully edits and remixes the song down to a more radio friendly length, even moving the verses and choruses around, to give them a tighter structure than the way they were originally recorded. Released in late November of 1967, the song is an instant smash. “Chain” is Franklin’s fourth single to top the R&B singles chart in just ten months. The full unedited version makes its album debut on the quadrophonic stereo release of “The Best Of Aretha Franklin” in 1973, and on the remastered CD of “Lady Soul” in 1995. Following Franklin’s hit version, “Chain Of Fools” is covered numerous times over the years. Versions of the song are recorded by Herbie Mann, Clint Black & The Pointer Sisters, Eva Cassidy, and Fantasia Barrio. The song is covered in the Alan Parker directed film “The Commitments”, and is sung by actress Maryam Hassan in “School Of Rock”. “Chain Of Fools” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
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