"Fool" was a 1975 single by Al Matthews. It became a hit for him that year, charting nationally in the UK.
Background "Fool" was written by Pierre Tubbs. The song was backed with an Al Matthews composition, "Don't Run from My Love". Credited to Al Matthews, the songs were released on single, CBS 3429 in 1975.Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Al Matthews Fool SingleUltratop - Al Matthews – Don't Run From My Love, Song, Muziek/Tekst Al Matthews One of the background singers on the session was Maxine Nightingale.Pop Dose, January 28, 2016 - Soul Serenade: Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From”
Reception The single was reviewed by Lynsey de Paul in the 5 July 1975 issue of Record Mirror. She referred to it as a gem and remarkable, making comparisons to the Four Seasons and Philly group sound. She said to the readers to do their darndest to make sure it was the smash it deserved to be. She finished off with calling it compulsive play it again quality.Record Mirror, July 5, 1975 - Page 14 Lynsey's whimsey wins, AL MATTHEWS: Fool (CBS 3429)
According to DJ Hotline in the 2 August issue of Record Mirror, Jon Taylor of Crockers, Norwich was the first to list "Fool" by Al Matthews.Record Mirror, August 2, 1975 - Page 14 DJ HOT LINE
Airplay & television According to Soul Gossip in the 19 July issue of Record Mirror, "Fool" was getting a lot of airtime in London and could be a biggie.Record Mirror, July 19, 1975 - Page 11 soul gossip
For the week of 23 August, the record was one of the Radio Luxembourg Hot Shots.Music Week, August 23, 1975 - Page 40 needletime, RADIO LUXFMBOURG HOT SHOTS, Mark Wesley: Fool Al Matthews (CBS 3492)
The song was performed live on Top of the Pops on Thursday 4th September 1975.TV Pop Diaries - 1975, Thursday 4th September 1975, BBC1 Top Of The Pops 7.10 - 7.45 pm, Edition 595 on countdown clock board, Al Matthews - Fool (live) Matthews appeared again on Saturday 18th October.TV Pop Diaries - 1975, Saturday 18th October 1975, BBC1 The Basil Brush Show 5.05 - 5.30 pm (new series), Al Matthews
Chart UK For the week of 9 August 1975, "Fool" was at no. 4 on the Record Mirror Star Breakers chart.Record Mirror, August 8, 1975 - Page 2 STAR BREAKERS, 4 FOOL Al Matthews CBS It maintained that position for another week.Record Mirror, August 16, 1975 - Page 2 STAR BREAKERS, 4 FOOL Al Matthews CBS
For the week of 23 August, "Fool" was at no. 1 on the Disc Soul Ten chart.Disc, August 30, 1975 - Page 2 DISC CHARTS, THIS WEEK'S TOP SELLING RECORDS, SOUL TEN, 4 (1) FOOL Al Matthews, CBS It also made its debut at no. 46 in the Record Mirror British Top 50 Singles chart,Record Mirror, August 23, 1975 - PAge 2 BRITISH TOP 50 SINGLES, 46, -, FOOL, AL Matthews, CBS and the Music Week Top 50 Singles chartMusic Week, August 23, 1975 - Page 45 TOP 50 SINGLES, This Week 46, NEW ENTRY, FOOL Al Matthews, CBS 3429 Acton Green/Universal Song P.R.Tubbs It was also at no. 13 on the Wilde Rock playlist.Music Week, August 23, 1975 - Page 40 WILDE ROCK THIS WEEK'S PLAYLIST, 13 Fool AL MATTHEWS, C8S/SCBS 3429
For the week of 6 September, "Fool" debuted at no. 6 on the Record Mirror & Disc UK Disco Top 20 chart.Record Mirror & Disc, September 6, 1975 - Page 2 UK Disco Top 24, 6, _, FOOL, Al Matthews, CBS
For the week of 13 September, "Fool" had dropped down to no. 10 on the Record Mirror & Disc UK Disco Top 20. But it had moved up from no. 21 to no. 8 on the UK Soul Top 20 chart.Record Mirror & Disc, September 13, 1975 - Page 2 UK Disco Top 20, 10 6, FOOL, Al Matthews CBSRecord Mirror & Disc, September 13, 1975 - Page 2 UK soul Top 20, 8, 21, FOOL, Al Matthews The record reached its peak position of no. 16 on the Record Mirror & Disc British Top 50 Singles chart that week.Record Mirror & Disc, September 13, 1975 - Page 2 British Top 50 Singles, 16 28 FOOL, AL Matthews CBSRecord Mirror & Disc, September 20, 1975 - Page 2 British Top 50 Singles, 22 16 FOOL, AL Matthews CBS
For the week of 20 September, "Fool" peaked at no. 3 in the UK Disco Top 20 chart.Record Mirror & Disc, September 20, 1975 - Page 2 UK Disco Top 20, 3 10, FOOL, Al Matthews CBS
James Hamilton had the record at no. 6 in his James' Top Ten list.Record Mirror & Disc, October 4, 1975 - Page 18 james hamilton's DISCO PAGE, james' top ten, 6 FOOL AL Matthews (CBS)
The single had an eight-week run in the national charts.Official Charts - AL MATTHEWS Hits
+ Chart summary UK Publication Chart Peak Notes Record Mirror Star Breakers 4 Record Mirror, August 8, 1975 - Page 2 STAR BREAKERS, 4 FOOL Al Matthews CBS Disc Soul Ten 1 Disc, August 30, 1975 - Page 2 DISC CHARTS, THIS WEEK'S TOP SELLING RECORDS, SOUL TEN, 4 (1) FOOL Al Matthews, CBS Record Mirror & Disc British Top 50 Singles 16 Record Mirror & Disc, September 13, 1975 - Page 2 British Top 50 Singles, 16 28 FOOL, AL Matthews CBSRecord Mirror & Disc, September 20, 1975 - Page 2 British Top 50 Singles, 22 16 FOOL, AL Matthews CBS Record Mirror & Disc UK Disco Top 20 3 Record Mirror & Disc, September 20, 1975 - Page 2 UK Disco Top 20, 3 10, FOOL, Al Matthews CBS
Europe The single also charted in the Netherlands and Belgium, peaking at no. 11 and no. 44 respectively.Dutch Charts - Al Matthews - Fool, Charts
Further reading Record Mirror, August 9, 1975 - Page 18 soul stirrings by Giovanni Dadomo, Al's High Flying Fool
References
External links Discogs - Al Matthews Toby Walker channel, Sep 25, 2018 - Al Matthews - Fool (audio) Around Sounds channel, Feb 14, 2023 - Al Mathews 1975 - Fool (audio) raresoulie channel, Sep 11, 2011 - Al Matthews - Fool - Live (video)