Elvis Songs: A Fool Such As I

Written by: Bill Trader

Recorded: June 10, 1958, RCA Nashville Studios
Released master is take 9

Single: w/ "I Need Your Love Tonight", 47-7506, March, 1959
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0625, 1961

RIAA Certified: Platinum (as of 03/27/1992)

Highest U.S. Charts Position:
#2 on Billboard Hot 100
#16 on Rhythm & Blues chart.

1st LP release: 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Cant Be Wrong, Elvis Gold Records, Vol 2 - December 1959

Bill Trader wrote "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I" in 1952, and Hank Snow recorded and released his version in November of that year. Jo Stafford also had a hit version in early 1953.



Elvis was probably familiar with Hank's version from the days when he was Hank's opening act. Elvis recorded his version on June 10, 1958, while on leave from the Army. This was the first recording session to include Ray Walker of the Jordanaires, who replaced Hugh Jarrett as their bass singer. Ray is featured prominently in "A Fool Such As I", delivering the title line before each verse and in the lead-out at the end. Elvis delivers the lead vocal in his trademark hiccuping style, turning a country melody into a rollicking pop classic.






"A Fool Such As I" was also later recorded by Bob Dylan, and released on the "Dylan" album in 1973. The album also included Dylan's cover of "Can't Help Falling In Love". The album was released without Dylan's authorization at the time, and is still not available on CD in the US or UK, although Japanese and European versions have appeared.

[comparing it with "A Big Hunk O' Love"]
"A Fool Such As I", a medium "walk" number, is very different, with the Jordanaires better integrated. Ray Walker took over from Hugh Jarret as bass singer in the Jordanaires for these sessions, and his low C's are astounding. The recording is better, too: a fatter sound which tends to bury Presley on occasion, but classic qualities shine through.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley - A Study In Music, 1979

---------------------------------------------------

Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for A Fool Such As I

---------------------------------------------------
"...it's relaxed, Presley is having fun, the goofy voice works, and when he does flip back to the good old uh-huh style his casual smoulder makes your doubts seem footling..."

from an interesting review at FreakyTrigger.

---------------------------------------------------

(Now and then there's a fool such as I)
Pardon me, if I'm sentimental
When we say goodbye
Don't be angry with me should I cry
When you're gone, yet I'll dream
A little dream as years go by
Now and then there's a fool such as I

Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love
And now you say that we are through

I'm a fool, but I'll love you dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a fool such as I

Now and then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love
And now you say that we are through

I'm a fool, but I'll love you dear
Until the day I die
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I
Now and then there's a fool such as I