About the song
“Poor Little Fool” stands as a landmark in rock and roll history, originally penned by Sharon Sheeley and famously recorded by Ricky Nelson in 1958.
At just 15 years old, Sharon Sheeley wrote “Poor Little Fool” inspired by her personal experience, particularly her brief romance with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. Encouraged by Elvis Presley to pursue songwriting, Sheeley crafted the tune and sought out Ricky Nelson as its singer. Sheeley, known for her persistence, devised a clever ruse to get Nelson’s attention: she pretended her car had broken down near his home and seized the opportunity to play him the song. Notably, Sheeley’s own version of the song was markedly faster than Nelson’s eventual recording.
Recorded on April 17, 1958, and released by Imperial Records under catalog number 5528, Ricky Nelson’s rendition of “Poor Little Fool” became an instant sensation. It soared to the top of Billboard’s newly established Hot 100 chart on August 4, 1958, marking it as the first-ever number-one song on that chart. The Jordanaires provided background vocals, enriching the song’s melodic appeal.
Beyond its mainstream success, “Poor Little Fool” also made notable strides on other Billboard charts, reaching the top 10 in both the Country and Rhythm and Blues categories. Its popularity was further bolstered by its inclusion in a four-song extended-play 45 rpm disc, extracted from Nelson’s second LP, titled “Ricky Nelson.”
However, controversy surrounded the single’s release format. Despite Nelson’s objections, Imperial Records, headed by Lew Chudd, rushed out a standalone single version alongside the EP. This move, in Nelson’s view, threatened EP sales. As a silent protest, Nelson exercised his contractual rights by refusing to select a photograph for the “Poor Little Fool” single sleeve, resulting in its release with a plain label in a cut-out sleeve—a unique anomaly in Nelson’s discography.
“Poor Little Fool” not only cemented Ricky Nelson’s status as a teen idol but also showcased Sharon Sheeley’s songwriting prowess and resilience. Its enduring appeal lies in its poignant lyrics, Nelson’s heartfelt delivery, and the song’s role in shaping early rock and roll chart history.
Video
Lyrics
I used to play around with hearts
That hastened at my call
But when I met that little girl
I knew that I would fall
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(I was a fool, oh yeah)
She’d play around and tease me
With her carefree devil eyes
She’d hold me close and kiss me
But her heart was full of lies
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(I was a fool, oh yeah)
She told me how she cared for me
And that we’d never part
And so for the very first time
I gave away my heart
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(I was a fool, oh yeah)
The next day she was gone
And I knew she’d lied to me
She left me with a broken heart
And won her victory
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(I was a fool, oh yeah)
Well, I played this game with other hearts
But I never thought I’d see
The day when someone else would play
Love’s foolish game with me
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(I was a fool, oh yeah)
Poor little fool, oh yeah
I was a fool, uh-huh
(Uh-huh, poor little fool)
(Poor little fool)