Chain of Fools

Jerry Wexler had asked Don Covay for songs for Otis Redding. Covay recorded a demo of Chain of Fools, which he had written in his youth while singing gospel with his siblings, and Wexler gave it to Franklin. Joe South played the tremolo guitar in the introduction. Franklin sang lead and played piano, with the Sweet Inspirations, her sisters Carolyn and Erma, and Ellie Greenwich on backing vocals. The recording was edited down from 4:03 for the single and the Lady Soul LP, and the long version first appeared on The Best of Aretha Franklin in 1973.

The single went to number 1 on the R&B chart for four weeks and number 2 on the Hot 100, behind Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) by John Fred and His Playboy Band. Cash Box predicted it would top both charts. It won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and entered the Grammy Hall of Fame. Live versions appear on Aretha in Paris and on VH1 Divas Live in 1998, where she sang it with Mariah Carey. She performed it with Respect on Dancing with the Stars on 18 November 2008.