Elvin Bishop, Fooled Around and Fell in Love | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 21^st edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” performed by Elvin Bishop.

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  To be fair, it is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, it’s that ONE hit that earned them recognition. So, in the 21^st edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024) we dive into “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”, the one-hit wonder by Elvin Bishop.

“I must have been through about a million girls / I’d love ‘em then I’d leave ‘em alone…” Well now… If you have never heard the blues-rock, country-soul classic “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”, you’re missing out.  The song is credited to Elvin Bishop, appearing on his 1975 album, Struttin’ My Stuff. However, Bishop is NOT the vocalist.  The talented Mickey Thomas, who sang in Bishop’s band, brings the gem to life. The question is, why? This is what Bishop told Songfacts in an interview with Carl Wiser:

I tried to [sing on “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”]. But we had a guy right there, Mickey Thomas, who has the most amazing voice – he can sing a page out of the phone book and move people. And my voice is very plain.

“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” was one of five songs by Bishop to impact the pop charts.  So, how is it that this song is a one-hit wonder? Of the five songs, it is the only one to reach the top 40. It peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.  His next most successful song, “Travelin’ Shoes”, peaked modestly at no. 61 in 1974.  Elvin didn’t sing on his gold-certified hit, but he penned it and played lead guitar 🤘.

“It used to be when I’d see a girl that I liked / I’d get out my book and write down her name,” Mickey Thomas sings in the second verse.  He continues, “But when the grass got a little greener on the other side / I’d just tear out that page.” Word. Thomas sings the sugar honey iced tea out of “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.” Not only does he have a great melody and lyrics to work with, but also the music accompanying him is heavenly.  I mean, if heaven were a song, I’d like to think that “Fooled Around and Feel in Love” would be one of the options. The musicianship from the opening tip until the ending is awesome. Bishop cooks when it comes to the guitar solo, one of many memorable moments.  Of course, nothing is more memorable than the chorus:

“But then I fooled around and fell in love

I fooled around and fell in love.”

“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” is a one-hit wonder, but it’s a darn good one!

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Totally & Utterly Foolish Songs (2021)

Elvin Bishop // Struttin’ My Stuff // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 1975

Elvin Bishop, Fooled Around and Fell in Love: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 21 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Island Def Jam Music Group; Elias Souza from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]