The Fool (Lee Ann Womack song)
"The Fool" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Lee Ann Womack | ||||
from the album Lee Ann Womack | ||||
B-side | "Trouble's Here" | |||
Released | May 19, 1997 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:32 | |||
Label | Decca Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | Marla Cannon-Goodman, Gene Ellsworth, Charlie Stefl | |||
Producer(s) | Mark Wright | |||
Lee Ann Womack singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"The Fool" at CMT.com |
"The Fool" is a song written by Marla Cannon-Goodman, Gene Ellsworth and Charlie Stefl, and recorded by American
Background
Womack told Billboard "The first time I played the demo, I just passed on it. I said, 'Yeah, it's a good song, but it's not 'Never Again Again."[1]
Content
"The Fool" is a slow ballad, backed by piano, violin, and percussion. The narrator describes an encounter with a woman who once was in a relationship with her partner, revealing that he still has feelings for her.
Music video
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2010) |
A music video was released for the song, directed by Gerry Wenner. In the video, Womack is shown sitting in a bar singing, accompanied by a band.
Critical reception
Editors at Billboard gave the song a positive review and wrote, "It's impossible to say enough positive things about Womack. She delivers this tune about a woman confronting, with her heart in her throat, the other woman her man still loves. The vulnerability and honesty she conveys in each line showcase a true stylist breathing life into a poignant lyric. This song and performance embody the best qualities of the genre--raw emotion set to music. It's a powerful thing.[2]
Chart performance
"The Fool" became Womack's first top five single on Billboards Hot Country Songs chart. The song peaked at number 2 for the chart week of October 4, 1997, blocked from number one by Diamond Rio's "How Your Love Makes Me Feel".
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3] | 5 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] | 2 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1997) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] | 58 |
US Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 34 |
References
- ^ Taylor, Chuck. Billboard Decca's Lee Ann Womack Shows That She's A 'Fool' For Straight-Up Country (August 23, 1997)
- ^ Billboard Singles Reviews (June 21, 1997)
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3359." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. October 20, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "Lee Ann Womack Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1997: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.