Today is April Fool’s Day, so it’s appropriate that today’s classic song of the day is Aretha Franklin’s monster hit, “Chain of Fools.” Released in November of 1967, this single went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues chart.
“Chain of Fools” was written by Don Covay, who’d had a previous hit on his own with the song “See-Saw.” He also wrote “Pony Time” for Chubby Checker. He wrote “Chain of Fools” when he just a kid singing gospel with his brothers and sisters. When producer Jerry Wexler asked Covay to write something for Otis Redding, he dusted off “Chain of Fools” and sent Mr. Wexler a demo. When he heard the demo, Wexler decided the tune would be a better fit with Aretha Franklin, and there you have it.
Wexler employed the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, otherwise known as the Swampers, to provide the backbone for Ms. Franklin’s recording. That group included Jimmy Johnson on guitar, Spooner Oldham on Wurlitzer electric piano, Tommy Cogbill on bass, and Roger Hawkins on drums. (And check out that very funky groove Roger plays on the bell of his ride cymbal in the back half of the song; I steal that one at least one every gig I play.) Joe South played those swampy guitar licks at the beginning of the tune and Ms. Franklin herself played piano. Background vocals were by the Sweet Inspirations, augmented by Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin, and Ellie Greenwich.
“Chain of Fools” ended up being one of Aretha Franklin’s biggest hits. It also won her a Grammy for Best Female R&B Performance and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, the Queen of Soul performing “Chain of Fools” live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on April 28, 1968. Damn, Aretha cooks on this one.
