Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)

For other uses of the line from Alexander Pope, see Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

"Fools Rush In" (1940) is a popular song. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer with music by Rube Bloom.^[4]

"Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear to Tread"
Single by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Vocal Ray Eberle)
B-side	Yours is my heart alone[1]
Published	May 1, 1940 (1940-05-01) by Bregman, Vocco and Conn, Inc., New York[2]
Released	May 24, 1940 (1940-05-24)[1]
Recorded	March 31, 1940 (1940-03-31)[3]
Studio	Victor Gramercy Recording Studio, New York. Studio 2
Genre	Swing
Length	2:35
Label	Bluebird B-10728[1]
Composer(s)	Rube Bloom[2]
Lyricist(s)	Johnny Mercer[2]

History of the song according to The Billboard, September 28, 1940 issue, page 34: Four years ago (1936) "Fools Rush In" was known as "Shangrila," composed by Rube Bloom and introduced in one of the production numbers at the Chez Paree, Chicago. Little was heard of it until this past summer when Rube played it for Bregman, Vocco and Conn, New York music publishers, who suggested that new lyrics be written. Johnny Mercer was called in and he supplied the words, which have been widely accepted by the public. (The words originate in "An Essay on Criticism", written by Alexander Pope in the 18th century.)

First recordings

The major hits at the time of introduction were:

• Tony Martin, (31 March 1940)^[5]
• Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle, (31 March 1940)^[6]
• Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra (29 March 1940)^[7]
• Anne Shelton and Ambrose (August 1940)
• Harry James (Varsity 8264, 1940)

Rick Nelson recording

• In 1963, Rick Nelson recorded his version,^[8] which was included in his Rick Nelson Sings "For You" LP and was an enormous hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard pop chart and #24 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.^[9] This recording became the highest charting single version of this song.

Other notable recordings

• Billy Eckstine (1947)
• Stan Getz – Complete Studio Sessions: Stan Getz & Jimmy Raney (1952)
• Julie London – Lonely Girl (1956), and Julie London (1964)
• Keely Smith – I Wish You Love (1957)
• Count Basie – Dance Along with Basie (1960); as arranged by Thad Jones (recorded in 1959)^[10]
• Stan Kenton – The Romantic Approach (1961)
• Brook Benton – Songs I Love to Sing (1960) (#18 CAN^[11])
• Shirley Bassey – Shirley Bassey (1961)
• Dion – Alone With Dion (1961)
• Doris Day with André Previn – Duet (1962)
• Al Hirt – Trumpet and Strings (1962)^[12]
• Etta James – Etta James Sings for Lovers (1962)
• Brenda Lee – Sincerely, Brenda Lee (1962)
• Lesley Gore – Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (1963)
• Dean Martin – Dream with Dean (1964)
• Johnny Hartman – Unforgettable Songs by Johnny Hartman (1966)
• Teddy Wilson – The Noble Art Of Teddy Wilson (2000); posthumous release of 1968 recording
• She & Him covered Ricky Nelson's version for Levi's Pioneer Sessions in 2010.^[13]