Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
Let’s listen to Fools Rush In–music by Rube Bloom lyrics by Johnny Mercer– as recorded by a very young Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; 1960s heart-throb, Ricky Nelson; punk-rock impresario Malcolm McLaren’s pre-fab Bow Wow Wow; and millennial It Girl Zooey Deschanel of She & Him.
The song has the distinction to be a hit for three separate artists in the same year: Glenn Miller, Billy Eckstine, and Tommy Dorsey. All three played it as Bloom and Mercer intended, a romantic ballad. Ray Eberle’s, vocalist for Glenn Miller’s orchestra, and Billy Eckstine’s confident and silky efforts pale in comparison to Sinatra’s vulnerable yearning. His recording is light years from the ring-a-ding-ding swagger to come 20 years down the line. After hearing it, I hope you’ll understand why the bobby soxers got their panties in a bunch.
Tommy Dorsey & his Sentimentalists featuring Frank Sinatra (1940)
In the 1960s, the song became popular again with Pop and R&B artists, including a great, forgotten version by Brook Benton; Etta James; Jackie Wilson; Brenda Lee; Lesley Gore; and Ricky Nelson, who reached highest rank on the Pop charts with his version. I couldn’t find a version by Ricky’s dad, Ozzie, who was a famous big band leader during the Swing era. He must have recorded a version. Does anyone know?
Anyway, I love Ricky’s version. What he lacks in dynamic stage presence, he makes up with hiring James Burton, the Master of the Telecaster. Listen to that twang!
Ricky Nelson (1963)
Without Bow Wow Wow, you could argue, Vivienne Westwood would have been a force in fashion. Although, you might not have Bow Wow Wow without Westwood. They were created by English Svengali Malcolm McLaren to showcase his girlfriend’s clothes. According to Legend, McLaren got tired of Adam Ant’s diva escapades, fired him, got guitarist Matthew Ashman to seduce 14-year-old Annabella who hung around the shop, and formed Bow Wow Wow. While they’re remembered for a couple of early 80s hits, the band became much more influential than they, or McLaren could have imagined.
Bow Wow Wow (1982)
First off, Zooey is sweetly pretty; and I want to protect her. Now, M. Ward and Zooey Daschanel aim to recreate the West Coast sounds of their youths. This acoustic version follows the train driving rhythm first used by Ricky Nelson and subsequent Pop stars; plus Zooey’s sweet, girl-next-door vocals.
She & Him (2010)
Other notable cover versions you might want to hear are by Jo Stafford, Johnny Hartman, Doris Day with the Andre Previn Trio, Elvis,and Stacey Kent.
