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Aretha Franklin — Chain of Fools
Album: 30 Greatest Hits
Avg rating:
8.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2447









Released: 1971
Length: 2:40
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Chain chain chains
"echo"
Chain chain chains
"echo"
Chain chain chai-iai-iai-iai yeah
Chain of fools
For four long years
I thought you were my man
But I found out
I'm just a link in your chain
You got me where you want me
"got me where you want me"
I ain't nothin but your fool
You treated me mean
Oh babe you treated me cruel
Chain chain chain
Echo
Chain of fools
Now every chain
Has got a weak link
I might be weak child
Oh but I'll give you strength
OOh OOh
YOu told me to leave you alone
My father said, come on home
My doctor said, take it easy
But your lovin' is much too strong
I'm added to your
Chain chain chain
"echo"
Chain chain chain
"echo"
Chain chain chai-iai-iai-iai yeah
Chain of fools
One of these mornings
That chain is goin'a break
But up until the-hen
I'm goin'a take all I can take
Chain chain chain
Echo
Chain chain chain
Echo
Chain chain chai-iai-iai-iai yeah
Chain of fools
Chain chain chain
Echo
Chain chain chain
Echo
Chain chain chai-iai-iai-iai yeah
Chain of fools
Chain chain chain.
Comments (211)add comment
A great performance but, for me, it's been worn out. <PSD>
This song swings.  Hard, but in an understated way.
When this song was played today (5/16/2023), William announced that it was from 1971? Wha??
Oops...
I think I just heard you saying were you taking us "back to 1971" with this one. It was 1967. 
That moment when you wish you could rate a song a 15 instead of a 10.
Aside from well, ARETHA, what a great record.  The backup singers, arrangement, musicians, it's just a well put together song. 
 kingart wrote:

Singing instructions for all the Maria Carey wanna bes. 



Anyone know if Mariah Carey actually covered this track?
Singing instructions for all the Maria Carey wanna bes. 
 maxvonevil wrote:


Someone needs to be at the start of the chain of fools,  these votes come from them probably.
 Proclivities wrote:

I'm not aware of many well-known covers of this tune - other than The Commitments' version.  This is better.

 

RL Burnside does a great version 
 The_Walrus wrote:
Very interesting that this follows KT Tunstall, illustrating that great music is very much alive in 2014 (the KT song is older but she has a fine current album out)  as well as the sixties. Aretha may have a godlike voice, but people like KT write their own stuff as well as playing instruments. It could be argued that this totality makes them even more praise worthy?
 
Nope, apples and Aretha.

Read the sidebar about her, ending with
In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her number one on its list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" and number nine on its list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". The Pulitzer Prize jury in 2019 awarded Franklin a posthumous special citation "for her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades."

Maybe you forgot, if you were around.
Version for my wife

Jane, Jane, Jane
Jane is cool.
Wikipedia mentions a 4:07 length unreleased recording. Anyone know anything about that?
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Do yourself a favour. Watch Amazing Grace with Aretha singing her heart out.

Film trailer

You can thank me later 

 
I bought that movie on Redbox for $3.99 a few months back. That was a steal!
Do yourself a favour. Watch Amazing Grace with Aretha singing her heart out.

Film trailer

You can thank me later 

 meatmike wrote:
Come on folks; THE QUEEN OF SOUL!  10 all day long from Memphis, TN, birthplace of  THE QUEEN.
 
And legend of Hitsville USA!  Long Live RP, RIP to the Queen, and my 8 (what was I thinking) has been upgraded to that 10 spot....dig it!!
Come on folks; THE QUEEN OF SOUL!  10 all day long from Memphis, TN, birthplace of  THE QUEEN.
A1 GODDESS of SOUL          (always great hearing this one : )
 Skydog wrote:
Joe South's opening is the sweetest guitar lick ever

 
You beat me to it!  Got to love that guitar.
The Swampers backin' up Aretha...pure gold from Alabama. 
Oh YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe South's opening is the sweetest guitar lick ever
 The_Walrus wrote:
Very interesting that this follows KT Tunstall, illustrating that great music is very much alive in 2014 (the KT song is older but she has a fine current album out)  as well as the sixties. Aretha may have a godlike voice, but people like KT write their own stuff as well as playing instruments. It could be argued that this totality makes them even more praise worthy?

 
Actually, your facts are a bit off. First, Aretha has written many songs, most of them hits ("Think," "Rock Steady," "Call Me") and is generally acknowledged as one of the finest R&B keyboardists of the past half century. Yes, she started out, like almost everyone else in the Atlantic/Stax/Motown, etc. stables, with material custom-written for her, but I don't think that detracts from her virtuosity on keys or her voice.
 Xstar wrote:

Nope you're full of crap.  {#Ass}

 
Hey there, what's that sound? Xstar knuckles draggin' on the ground
 The_Walrus wrote:
Very interesting that this follows KT Tunstall, illustrating that great music is very much alive in 2014 (the KT song is older but she has a fine current album out)  as well as the sixties. Aretha may have a godlike voice, but people like KT write their own stuff as well as playing instruments. It could be argued that this totality makes them even more praise worthy?

 
Perhaps, if one saw the need to engage in such an argument.  It's still subjective though, not scientific.  There are singers, there are musicians, and there are songwriters; sometimes an artist can be all three (as is Aretha), but I wouldn't fret over who is more worthy of praise.
 The_Walrus wrote:
Very interesting that this follows KT Tunstall, illustrating that great music is very much alive in 2014 (the KT song is older but she has a fine current album out)  as well as the sixties. Aretha may have a godlike voice, but people like KT write their own stuff as well as playing instruments. It could be argued that this totality makes them even more praise worthy?

 
Nope you're full of crap.  {#Ass}
Very interesting that this follows KT Tunstall, illustrating that great music is very much alive in 2014 (the KT song is older but she has a fine current album out)  as well as the sixties. Aretha may have a godlike voice, but people like KT write their own stuff as well as playing instruments. It could be argued that this totality makes them even more praise worthy?
 jessfine wrote:

So, I just read that poodles are not allowed to compete in the Iditarod! And that's a cold, hard fact.

 


 cdysthe wrote:
This song is beyond rating. Goddesslike! 
 
      {#Yes}                            {#Yes}                           {#Yes}
This song is beyond rating. Goddesslike! 
 leafmold wrote:

If we judged all artists by their behavior rather than their art, very few would pass muster. And those who do might be pretty mediocre talents. This song remains a 10, no matter what AF does.

 

^Trudat!
 sirdroseph wrote:


I disagree, treating others poorly is far worse than not liking a song that you think they should. That is called an musical opinion expressed in a free society.  Treating others poorly is sin against humanity and one's self.

 
If we judged all artists by their behavior rather than their art, very few would pass muster. And those who do might be pretty mediocre talents. This song remains a 10, no matter what AF does.
NEVER get tired of this...
It may be overplayed, it may not be soul, she may be a terrible person, the the song is still THE BOMB! Sing it girl......


 Jomeo wrote:

I've had the opportunity to drive aretha when she comes to town. She is a terrible person. The first time I chalked it up to having a bad day,no big deal. 2nd, 3rd and 4th times there is no excuse for her behavior so anytime I hear anything by her it makes me sick. SUCKO BARFO ALL THE WAY!!



 

so stop driving her.... she sings, any other personal problems are just that.....aside from being black, the daughter of a known baby raping preacher, ( 2kids before 16, a sister born to a 12 year old) what do you expect, constant joy?
 sirdroseph wrote:


I disagree, treating others poorly is far worse than not liking a song that you think they should. That is called an musical opinion expressed in a free society.  Treating others poorly is sin against humanity and one's self.

 
All I am saying is the song is the song.The rating of the song is based on the song, not the singer.

  The "musical opinion" regarding the song doesn't have to be swayed by the "sin against humanity" quotient of the performer. Even though Aretha mistreated people,  the song still has depth, value, quality on its own. There are a lot of performers/musicians/actors who are a$$holes. Too bad for them--and us. But that alone doesn't change the quality of their performances. 

For example, Russell Crowe & Mel Gibson have "mistreated" many along the way--but their acting in their movies is still incredibly skilled, whether or not their actions off-screen are offensive or sinful. I may or may not choose to go to the movie based upon those actions, but what they put on the screen in their performances stands on its own as part of the art they produce. (Sadly, the "issues" boiling just under the surface in some artists often contributes to their ability to achieve the artistic performance we experience.) 
 JeffGuyett wrote:

Well, terrible person does not = sucko barfo song. Still a 10, just listening...
 

I disagree, treating others poorly is far worse than not liking a song that you think they should. That is called an musical opinion expressed in a free society.  Treating others poorly is sin against humanity and one's self.
 Jomeo wrote:

I've had the opportunity to drive aretha when she comes to town. She is a terrible person. The first time I chalked it up to having a bad day,no big deal. 2nd, 3rd and 4th times there is no excuse for her behavior so anytime I hear anything by her it makes me sick. SUCKO BARFO ALL THE WAY!!



 
Well, terrible person does not = sucko barfo song. Still a 10, just listening...

I've had the opportunity to drive aretha when she comes to town. She is a terrible person. The first time I chalked it up to having a bad day,no big deal. 2nd, 3rd and 4th times there is no excuse for her behavior so anytime I hear anything by her it makes me sick. SUCKO BARFO ALL THE WAY!!


 ScottN wrote:
Chain, chain,chain...chain of poodles.  Or so says the neighbor seven year old.
Wonderful song from The Queen.

 

 Toke wrote:
Will all you modern ''SOUL'' listeners please not, THIS IS SOUL.. you will of course notice she is actually singing and there is no repetitive drum and bass thumping away in the background. ... Wow I really needed to say that as to steal the title of soul to the Crap that is produced today really annoys me.

 
Come on, "Sex Machine" or "Mother Popcorn" (among many songs) by James Brown have painstakingly repetitive drum and bass patterns throughout most of the songs; are you saying that the "Godfather Of Soul" was misnamed?  I'm not sure if there is much modern music which is called "soul" anymore; there are all sorts of new labels which have been concocted.
 Toke wrote:
Will all you modern ''SOUL'' listeners please not, THIS IS SOUL.. you will of course notice she is actually singing and there is no repetitive drum and bass thumping away in the background. ... Wow I really needed to say that as to steal the title of soul to the Crap that is produced today really annoys me.
 
Please DEFINE soul music? Personally I think it's nothing more than a term to say "black people singing" and therefore is a crappy ass term.
 

Not here.

rpdevotee wrote:
OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED
 


chain chain chain...chain of fooooools!!!! {#Bananasplit}
Will all you modern ''SOUL'' listeners please not, THIS IS SOUL.. you will of course notice she is actually singing and there is no repetitive drum and bass thumping away in the background. ... Wow I really needed to say that as to steal the title of soul to the Crap that is produced today really annoys me.
{Overplayed}^+ ... yes ... but {Jolly Good}^+ too!! {#Cheers}
 fredriley wrote:

{#Roflol} Me, I used to think it was 'chain of poos', which brings up an altogether less pleasant mental image :o)
 
Chain of poodles -> chain of poos -> pain of scoops. 

Edit 7/13/14: I'm impressed by my creativity but worried because I have no memory of writing this. 

I guess I'll be witty and repetitive when the Alzheimer's really kicks in.  
OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED, OVERPLAYED
The Queen abides.
Superb...
sing it sista!
 

 YESLizK wrote:
More Aretha!   {#Clap}
 

YES!!!!!

MORE ARETHA!!!!
MUCH MORE!!!!
LOTS OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL DAY LONG WITH HER!!!!!!
please.....

     
More Aretha!   {#Clap}
really good start for today! :) ten, ten, ten...
"10" - of course!
 ScottN wrote:
Chain, chain,chain...chain of poodles.  Or so says the neighbor seven year old.
 
{#Roflol} Me, I used to think it was 'chain of poos', which brings up an altogether less pleasant mental image :o)


Chain, chain,chain...chain of poodles.  Or so says the neighbor seven year old.
Wonderful song from The Queen.
Being from Detroit, Sister Franklin gets a ten for everything she does.

 Dave_Mack wrote:

Keep listening {#Dancingbanana}Bill has played that a few times.  I love that one too.  (In fact, he played it last weekend)

 
I could go for an occasional Aretha set.

 fredriley wrote:
I do like this, but IMO The Commitments version had much more zip. Still, this is worth a good 7 from the Nottingham jury (9 for the Commitments cover).
 

I just love the frustration and anger in her voice as she sings. Reminds me of another song about a woman in chains—"House of the Rising Sun."
I do like this, but IMO The Commitments version had much more zip. Still, this is worth a good 7 from the Nottingham jury (9 for the Commitments cover).
Like heaven after that Ani Difranco dreck.
Does it get any better than the Queen of Soul? Tell it, Aretha...Sweet set list!

 Dave_Mack wrote:

Keep listening {#Dancingbanana}Bill has played that a few times.  I love that one too.  (In fact, he played it last weekend)
 
Don't stare at the banana when you listen to this song. You could have a stroke. 
You best step aside, son. Aretha's gonna rock it.
 BKardon wrote:
Great!  Now how about playing Rock Steady?
 
Keep listening {#Dancingbanana}Bill has played that a few times.  I love that one too.  (In fact, he played it last weekend)

Great!  Now how about playing Rock Steady?
Was just about to switch off of RP to some OTHER station...but then Aretha comes on......OK, I'll listen a while longer.
Queen of Soul, I bow to you...first, last and always...thanks for all the memories. {#Crown}
 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Just in case someone hasn't seen it yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrsCnBvQFo
 
This had me laughing my ass off.  I'd never seen it before... Aretha AND Liza?  Wow...  And I love this song because every time I hear it, I remember that scene in "Michael" with Travolta's character dancing with all the women in that bar... What a great movie...  Aretha IS the Queen of Soul. {#Notworthy}
 Alafia wrote:
STILL the best version of this song.

 
I'm not aware of many well-known covers of this tune - other than The Commitments' version.  This is better.

A floor-filler at the time !  #9   {#Dancingbanana_2}
{#Dancingbanana_2} oh yeah!!!!!{#Dancingbanana}chain, chain,chain!!!!! {#Bananajumprope}

Arethra has a large repertoire of music...
This is not her only good song..and, after a few thousand playings,
it is definitely not her most entertaining.  For the same reason I wouldn't 
eat the same sandwich every day, I wouldn't want to hear the same
Arethra Franklin song over and over and over and over and over...
I listen to RP because typically I don't hear the same mainstream
stuff that has been played to the point of saturation. {#Rolleyes}
Just in case someone hasn't seen it yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrsCnBvQFo
 rtrudeau wrote:

This song is certainly a blessing after enduring Ani Difranco.


 

You said it.  Cleanses the palate wonderfully.
 Danimal174 wrote:

Umm...you know how the rankings work, right?

 
Indeed, I do.  And, uh, you're clear on this "sarcasm" thing, are you?

 Xeric wrote:
This is one of the great soul tunes.  A solid 2.
 
Umm...you know how the rankings work, right?

STILL the best version of this song.

SING IT Girl!!!
10, 10, 10.

One of these mornin's, the chain's gonna break...

But not this morning.
Greatness !!!{#Bounce}
My karaoke standard.  It's a shame that my singing doesn't do The Queen justice...
I really wanted to give Bill a chance today and do work around the house listening to RP.  But to play this so close to another worn out song in Time Has Come Today has me sprinting for Pandora!
That brings back great memories!  I could pick up WLS out of Chicago with a little AM radio tucked under my pillow as a ute.   {#High-five}
 
 
 bokey wrote:
...listening to it on a transistor radio stashed under my pillow at night...
 

This seduced me to be another one of her chain of fools.
It is almost an insult to "rate" this woman singing this song. 
As I posted 2 years ago,as a kid I used to think the lyrics were " J,J,J "

 But in my defense, I was listening to it on a transistor radio stashed under my pillow at night through one of those medieval ,hard plastic one ear plug things. You know, the kind that made your ear feel like the victim of an ear  canal prison rape the next day when you woke up with it still in there.


And an early birthday to the Queen of Soul, who will be 67 years young tomorrow.
 toterola wrote:
I saw Celine Dionne (sp?) try to compete with Aretha onstage a few years ago. Talk about "bringing a knife to a gun fight"! {#Rolleyes}
 

Céline Dion

Her hat at the inauguration aside... she's still the queen of soul. Happy Black History Month.

This song is certainly a blessing after enduring Ani Difranco.


 redstorm wrote:


Too each their {sic} own..... vapid opinion {#Zip-lip}
 
Obviously.


pay attention to the Queen soul singing wanna-B's U could learn something here  {#Notworthy}{#Sunny}

 Xeric wrote:
This is one of the great soul tunes.  A solid 2.
 

Too each their own..... vapid opinion {#Zip-lip}
This is one of the great soul tunes.  A solid 2.
eastcoast wrote:
Great movie and a great cover of a great song. Do I sound like tony the tiger.

They're Grrreeeaaaatttt!

OH hell yes. ! Bill! ROCK OUT! {#Drummer}
I saw Celine Dionne (sp?) try to compete with Aretha onstage a few years ago. Talk about "bringing a knife to a gun fight"! {#Rolleyes}
fredriley wrote:
A fine song, but at the risk of being heretical, I liked the version in the film "The Commitments" even better - chock full of energy.


Ah, but check out the cover done by Clint Black and the Pointer Sisters on Rythym, Country and Blues.  That's my favorite.

Great movie and a great cover of a great song.  Do I sound like tony the tiger.
fredriley wrote:
A fine song, but at the risk of being heretical, I liked the version in the film "The Commitments" even better - chock full of energy.
We just watched The Commitments this past weekend. We watched it three times because the music was awesome and the accents led us astray.
Visions of my wife and her 80+ year old uncle dancing to this one night. Great Fun!
fredriley wrote:
A fine song, but at the risk of being heretical, I liked the version in the film "The Commitments" even better - chock full of energy.
Yes! The Commitments did it well!
cvandoren wrote:
I was thinking the same. Love Aretha, but the commitments set the standard for this song. It has (dare I say it) more soul than Aretha's version.
Bite your sacrilegious tongue!
Mugro wrote:
Double Now I know why I don't watch American Idol.
Wait, there is no ranking for "Goddess-like" !?!
tompoll wrote:
To paraphrase Randy Jackson, "This woman can STILL blow, dog!"
fredriley wrote:
A fine song, but at the risk of being heretical, I liked the version in the film "The Commitments" even better - chock full of energy.
I was thinking the same. Love Aretha, but the commitments set the standard for this song. It has (dare I say it) more soul than Aretha's version.
volume up!!
Ericac wrote:
WHAT A VOICE, WHAT A SONG! Total respect for that woman.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
A fine song, but at the risk of being heretical, I liked the version in the film "The Commitments" even better - chock full of energy.
WHAT A VOICE, WHAT A SONG! Total respect for that woman.
Listen to her hit those notes, goddamn woman....
shivers!
NOT FAIR!! there has to an '11' on the list for moments like these ... whooo whooo whooo
How am I to get any work done when you keep playing awesome stuff like Aretha?? My booty won't stop shakin'!