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If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody

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Wikipedia article




"'If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody'" is a song written by Rudy Clark and first recorded by James Ray in 1961. Ray's recording on the Caprice label, arranged by Hutch Davie and produced by Gerry Granahan,[http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/gerry_granahan.htm Dik de Heer, "Gerry Granahan", 'Black Cat Rockabilly']. Retrieved 27 April 2019. reached number 10 on the US 'Billboard' R&B chart and number 22 on the Hot 100 in early 1962.

In 1962, the Beatles began to perform the song at their gigs, with John Lennon singing lead and playing harmonica. Paul McCartney said that George Harrison had a copy of Ray's record, "and we did a version of it because we thought it was such a wacky waltz. No one had a 3/4 number. And an R'n'B waltz, that was new! The London bands used to gather round when they'd hear us do it in Hamburg. Lots of bands all hanging, having a beer when we were on, and I consciously remember them all hanging round for that one....".[https://www.theguardian.com/observer/omm/story/0,,1571996,00.html Interview with Paul McCartney, 'Observer Music Monthly', 18 September 2005]. Retrieved 27 April 2019. Ray's single was reputedly included in John Lennon's jukebox, the subject of a 2004 compilation album.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110212005913/http://www.spencerleigh.demon.co.uk/Feature_Jukebox.htm Spencer Leigh, "With a Little Help From My Friends: How John Lennon developed his songwriting genius", 'Goldmine', 11 November 2005]. Retrieved 27 April 2019.

Manchester beat group Freddie and the Dreamers heard the Beatles play the song at the Cavern in Liverpool in September 1962, and soon began to incorporate it into their own act.[https://www.beatlesbible.com/1962/09/12/live-cavern-club-liverpool-231/ "Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening) Wednesday 12 September 1962", 'Beatles Bible']. Retrieved 27 April 2019. The group recorded it with producer John Burgess, and their version reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1963, the first hit of their career. It is also the opening track on their eponymous debut album.

In late 1965, the song was covered by soul singer Maxine Brown. Her version, on the Wand label, reached number 63 on the Hot 100. The song has been recorded by many other musicians, including Brian Poole and the Tremeloes (1963), Timi Yuro (1963), Eddie Floyd (1967), Aretha Franklin (1969), Vanilla Fudge (1969),Ben E. King (1970), Bobbie Gentry (1970), and Lou Rawls (1990).[https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/32266/versions "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", 'Secondhand Songs']. Retrieved 27 April 2019.

In Italy, in 1964, the Marino's band recorded the Italian version entitled 'Il problema pi importante' (The most important problem), the Italian text is by Luciano Beretta and Miki Del Prete (Nuova Enigmistica Tascabile, N. 511).

References



Category:1961 songs

Category:1962 singles

Category:1963 debut singles

Category:James Ray (singer) songs

Category:Freddie and the Dreamers songs

Category:Songs written by Rudy Clark

Category:Columbia Records singles

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