Poor Little Fool

June 1958

Poor Little Fool is a rockabilly song which was composed and written by Sharon Sheeley. Interpreted the song by Ricky Nelson, the corresponding single was on August 4, 1958, the first number -one hit in the newly created Billboard Hot 100

Formation

Sharon Sheeley was in love at the time when the song was written in Don Everly. The news of his marriage, she agreed melancholic and on the way back from a concert by the Everly Brothers brought this feeling in the form of a poem on paper. Although she could neither read nor write notes, they devised a melody that could go well with the text of its opinion. In a talent show of radio host Art Laboe Sheeley performed the song together with her sister Mary Jo and her friend Hope for the first time to the public. Although the reactions were negative on the trio made ​​a demo of the song. The piece should be like a faster rock-' n' -roll song by Elvis Presley sound.

Sheeley offered the demo Ricky Nelson, who was initially skeptical. To convince him of her song, Sheeley invented the story that the song for Elvis Presley had been written so that they know the author and that Elvis Presley would record the song after his return from Germany. This and the idea of being able to record a song for Elvis before him, convinced Nelson. He presented the demo its accompanying musicians James Burton and James Kirkland, where the song did not like. But Nelson Sheeley had given the promise and asked them to arrange the song again. Burton and Kirkland slowed the tempo of the song and changed the progression of chords. Ricky Nelson recorded this version and it was his biggest hit.

The single was released in June 1958 on Imperial Records and reached on August 4, 1958 Place one on the Billboard Hot 100 Thus it was the first number-one single of these newly created single- hit list. In the U.S. country charts the single reached the third place. With this title, Nelson managed a complete " cross-over " hit, because the title is also listed in the R & B charts, where it was number 3. In the British charts of the title came to 4th place

Music and lyrics

The song is in C major, does not need a bridge and chorus and lives from " lullaby -like vocals ," in which the protagonist mourns and laments that he now get a receipt for all the romantic games this time, his days as a Casanova. The " song, which was steeped in self-pity ," was praised by Billboard Magazine in a contemporary critics as " rockabilly tune " with strong vocals and good rhythm.

Cover versions

The Internet database Coverinfo.de lists nine cover versions, including with Tony Campellos Pobre de mim 1959 one in Portuguese and with Stephen Bruce ' Pauvre de moi of 1958 in the French language. The interpretation of Billy Mo under the title Mary, My Girl also dates from 1958, just as Paul Rich's cover. Time near Brian Hyland took before the title and in 1961 published his version. On their album Golden Hits of the Boys coverte Patti Page 1962 the song. More recent are the recordings of Johnny Angel from 1998, of the Slapbacks 2003, Harbor Lights of 2005 and 2006 by voyces. Nick Venet quoted Poor Little Fool 1960 in his play My Dream.