Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
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"Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)" | |
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Song | |
Written | 1940 |
Composer(s) | Rube Bloom |
Lyricist(s) | Johnny Mercer |
"Fools Rush In" (1940) is a popular song. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer with music by Rube Bloom.[1] The words originate in "An Essay on Criticism," written by Alexander Pope in the 18th Century.
First recordings[]
The major hits at the time of introduction were:
- Tony Martin
- Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle,[2]
- Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra (29 March 1940)
- Anne Shelton and Ambrose (August 1940)
- Harry James (Varsity 8264, 1940)
Rick Nelson recording[]
- In 1963, Rick Nelson recorded his version,[3] and was included in his Rick Nelson Sings "For You"LP and was an enormous hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard pop chart and #24 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[4] This recording was the most famous version of this song.
Other notable recordings[]
- Billy Eckstine (1947)
- Stan Getz – Complete Studio Sessions: Stan Getz & Jimmy Raney (1952)
- Jo Stafford – Starring Jo Stafford (1953)
- The Hi-Lo's – Listen!... to the Hi-Lo's (1954)
- Zoot Sims - Zoot! (1956)
- Julie London – Lonely Girl (1956), and Julie London (1964)
- Keely Smith – I Wish You Love (1957)
- The Four Freshmen – The Freshman Year (1961)
- Stan Kenton – The Romantic Approach (1961)
- Brook Benton – Songs I Love to Sing (1960)
- Shirley Bassey – Shirley Bassey (1961)
- Doris Day with André Previn – Duet (1962)
- Al Hirt – Trumpet and Strings (1962)[5]
- Etta James – Etta James Sings for Lovers (1962)
- Brenda Lee – Sincerely, Brenda Lee (1962)
- Lesley Gore – Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (1963)
- Dean Martin – Dream with Dean (1964)
- Johnny Hartman – Unforgettable Songs by Johnny Hartman (1966)
- Elvis Presley – Elvis Now (1972) This recording followed Ricky Nelson's style.
- Susannah McCorkle – The Songs of Johnny Mercer (1977)
- Bow Wow Wow – covered the track on their 1980 MC-only debut, Your Cassette Pet
- Debbie Byrne – The Persuader (1985)
- Rosemary Clooney - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
- The Morning Benders – Bedroom Covers (2008)
- Cliff Richard – Bold as Brass (2010)
- She & Him covered Ricky Nelson's version for Levi's Pioneer Sessions in 2010.[6]
- Peggy Sue – Peggy Sue Plays the Songs of Scorpio Rising (2012)
- Norah Jones with Harold Mabern – Afro Blue (2014)
- Youn Sun Nah – She Moves On (2017)
- Disclosure – "Where Angels Fear To Tread" (2018 single)
Popular culture[]
- The recording by Rick Nelson was featured in Kenneth Anger's film Scorpio Rising (1963).
References[]
- ^ Furia, Philip (1990). The Poets of Tin Pan Alley. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 270. ISBN 0-19-507473-4.
- ^ Gilliland, John (1994). Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s (audiobook). ISBN 978-1-55935-147-8. OCLC 31611854. Tape 2, side A.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". Cash Box Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 426.
- ^ Al Hirt, Trumpet and Strings Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ^ "She and Him – "Fools Rush In"". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
Categories:
- 1940 songs
- Songs with music by Rube Bloom
- Songs with lyrics by Johnny Mercer
- Mildred Bailey songs
- Bow Wow Wow songs
- Al Hirt songs
- Ricky Nelson songs
- Pop standard stubs