Written by: Ted Daffan
Recorded: 11, 17 February 1970
Producer: George Martin
Engineers: Phil McDonald, Geoff Emerick
Released: 27 March 1970 (UK), 24 April 1970 (US)
Available on:
Sentimental Journey
Personnel
Ringo Starr: vocals
The George Martin Orchestra: instrumentation
Billy Preston: piano
‘I’m A Fool To Care’ is the fifth song on Sentimental Journey, Ringo Starr’s debut solo album.
The song was written by Ted Daffan. It was first recorded by Ted Daffan’s Texans on 25 April 1940, and released two months later. The song has also been recorded by Gene Autry, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Jim Reeves, Connie Francis, Frank Ifield, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and many others.
In the studio
Starr’s version of ‘I’m A Fool To Care’ was arranged by Klaus Voormann. The line-up included brass, woodwind, bass, drums, and piano, the latter played by Billy Preston.
The song was recorded on 11 February 1970, with Voormann conducting the 15-piece orchestra at Abbey Road’s Studio Two. It was Starr’s fifth wedding anniversary, following his marriage to Maureen Cox on 11 February 1965.
The session lasted from 2.30-5.30pm. The best takes were 19, 20 and 21, and an edit from the three was assembled between 5.30 and 6.30pm. The result was also known as take 19.
Starr overdubbed and double-tracked his lead vocals between 6.30 and 9pm, and from then until 10pm a stereo mix was made. Voormann then added an acoustic guitar part between 10 and 11.15pm, and another stereo mix was before work stopped at 11.45pm.
A tape reduction mix was made on 17 February, the same day that a 15-piece string ensemble, conducted by Francis Shaw, was overdubbed onto the song.
Lyrics
I’m a fool to care
When you treat me this way
I know I love you
But what can I do?
I’m a fool to care
I’m a fool to cry
When you tell me goodbye
You left me so blue
When you were untrue
I’m a fool to care
I know, I should laugh
And call it a day
But I know I would cry
If you went away
I’m a fool to care
When you don’t care for me
So why should I pretend
I’d lose in the end?
I’m a fool to care
I’m a fool to care
When you treat me this way
I know I love you
But what can I do?
I’m a fool to care
