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What Kind of Fool Am I?

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Wikipedia article




"'What Kind of Fool Am I?'" is a popular song written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and published in 1962. It was introduced by Anthony Newley in the musical 'Stop the World I Want to Get Off'. It comes at the end of Act Two to close the show.[https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stop-world-i-want-to-get-off/id95052468 itunes][http://www.allmusicals.com/s/stoptheworld-iwanttogetoff.htm allmusicals.com] Bricusse and Newley received the 1961 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.Lister, David, 'Pop ballads bite back in lyrical fashion', The Independent, 28 May 1994

At the 1963 Grammy Awards, it won the award for Song of the Year and was the first by Britons to do so.

Background



This song was recorded whilst Newley was on the road with this production in the United States, after its successful run in the United Kingdom. By the time the cast reached New York, Tony Bennett had re-recorded the song.

Cover versions



*The song was a hit for Sammy Davis Jr. in the year of its publication, peaking at No. 17 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart and at No. 6 on the 'Billboard' Easy Listening chart.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). 'The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits' (Billboard Publications)

*Andy Williams included the song on his 1963 album 'Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests'.

*In 1963 Shirley Bassey released this song as a Columbia Record single and her version reached No. 47 on the UK charts.

*Lesley Gore included a version of the song on her 1963 debut album, 'I'll Cry If I Want To'.

*Lesser chart records were recorded by: Robert Goulet and the writer, Anthony Newley. James Brown recorded "What Kind of Fool Am I?" for his 1970 album 'Soul on Top'.

*In 1964, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi featured a latin jazz cover on his album 'The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi'. A live version appeared on 'The Navy Swings' the following year (not released until 2010).

*Sergio Franchi covered this song on his 1963 album 'Broadway, I Love You.'http://www.discogs.com /sergio-franchi

*George Maharis covered the song on his 1963 album 'Just Turn Me Loose!'George Maharis

*Perry Como covered the song on his 1963 release 'The Songs I Love'.

*"What Kind of Fool Am I?" is also known as the signature song of Regine Velasquez. Done in a power ballad style and with powerful vocals, the song reached platinum status on its 1994 CD-release and is included on her multiplatinum international album 'Listen Without Prejudice'. It achieved at least 2 platinum per Asian country in the cited year.

*Italian crooner Johnny Dorelli performed the song in English in 1966, followed by an Italian version (as "Che Uomo Inutile" on his 1967 album 'L'Immensit'.

*Bill Evans recorded the song for his album 'Alone (Again)' in December 1975, not released until 1977.

*Jacky Terrasson and Tom Harrell included the song in their 1991 album 'Moon and Sand'.

*The American indie folk rock band Deer Tick recorded a cover of the song on their 2007 album 'War Elephant'.

*Clay Aiken recorded the song on his 2010 album 'Tried and True'.

*P. J. Proby recorded the song for his third album 'P J Proby...In Town' (1965).

Parodies and popular culture



*Allan Sherman parodied the song as "One Hippopotami" on his 1963 album 'My Son, the Nut'.

*Kermit the Frog performed this song on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on May 31, 1970, where he was repeatedly interrupted by the 'Sesame Street' character Grover. Several other Muppet monsters made cameo appearances in the finale.

Song legacy



This song was the inspiration for a Gary Larson cartoon.

References



Category:1962 songs

Category:Songs from musicals

Category:Songs written by Leslie Bricusse

Category:Songs written by Anthony Newley

Category:Anthony Newley songs

Category:James Brown songs

Category:Sammy Davis Jr. songs

Category:Lesley Gore songs

Category:Andy Williams songs

Category:Nancy Wilson (jazz singer) songs

Category:Grammy Award for Song of the Year

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