Damn You, Silent Majority America!: “Chain Of Fools” by Aretha Franklin

Written by soul star Don Covay in his gospel-singing youth – although a version also appeared on record in 1967, credited to Don Covay and The Goodtimers – “Chain Of Fools” reaches right back into Biblical fundamentals, and Aretha rips its church of regret wide open to allow it to burn with her fury. Covay demoed the song for Atlantic’s Jerry Wexler, initially with a view to Otis Redding singing it, but Wexler wisely thought it much more suited to Aretha.

Her record is a catalogue of sin-damning chastisement, as though it is not just an errant man whose ways she is decrying, but an entire culture. All the record’s elements coalesce into a fiery ball – Arif Mardin’s arrangement, Joe South’s astonishing, almost slackerly lead guitar which could have bounced off a Velvet Underground record, Roger Hawkins’ startling drumming, and even Spooner Oldham’s subtly accusatory electric piano in the midst of the mix, as well as the ominous backing vocals (Erma and Carolyn Franklin, and Ellie Greenwich). This “Chain Of Fools” serves notice that, far from being a mellow, sunny continuation of 1967, 1968 was going to be a tough, and even painful, year.

Date Record Made Number Two: 20 January 1968

Number Of Weeks At Number Two: 2

Record At Number One: “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)” by John Fred and his Playboy Band

UK Chart Position: 37 (as half of a double A-side with “Satisfaction”)

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