I Pity the Fool

This article is about the song. For the catchphrase, see Mr. T. For the TV series, see I Pity the Fool (TV series).
"I Pity the Fool"
Single by Bobby Bland
from the album Two Steps from the Blues
B-side"Close to You"
Released1961 (1961)
Recorded1960
StudioChicago
GenreSoul blues
Length2:30
LabelDuke
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Don Robey
Bobby Bland singles chronology
"Cry, Cry, Cry"
(1960) 		"I Pity the Fool"
(1961) 		"Don't Cry No More"
(1961)

"I Pity the Fool" is a soul blues song originally recorded by Bobby Bland in 1961 for his first Duke Records album, Two Steps from the Blues. Many music writers believe that it was written by Joe Medwick,[2] although Duke owner Don Robey (using the pseudonym "Deadric Malone") appears on the songwriting credits.[1]

The lyrics tell of a man, who, while pitying others for falling for a certain woman, knows that he is also shamed. After its release as a single, it became one of Bland's biggest hits and most identifiable songs. Subsequently, several artists have recorded renditions.

  1. ^ a b Hogan, Ed. "Deadric Malone – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Wood, Roger (2012). Jasinski, Laurie E. (ed.). Handbook of Texas Music (2nd ed.). College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press. p. eBook. ISBN 978-0876112977.