Why Do Fools Fall in Love (album)

1981 studio album by Diana Ross

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Studio album by

Diana Ross

Released| September 14, 1981 (1981-9-14)
Recorded| 1980–1981
Studio| Power Station, New York City
Genre|

* Dance-pop[1]
* R&B[2]

Length| 35:46
Label|

* Capitol (Europe)
* RCA (North America)

Producer| Diana Ross
Diana Ross chronology
| All the Great Hits
(1981)  | Why Do Fools Fall in Love
(1981)  | Silk Electric
(1982)

|
|

Singles from  Why Do Fools Fall in Love

1. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
Released: September 25, 1981
2. "Mirror Mirror"
Released: December 11, 1981
3. "Work That Body"
Released: March 19, 1982
4. "It's Never Too Late"
Released: July 1982

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide| [1]

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer Diana Ross, released on September 14, 1981, by RCA Records. It was Ross' first of six albums released by the label during the decade. It peaked at No. 15 in the United States (No. 4 R&B), No. 17 in the United Kingdom and the top ten in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.

## Background

[edit]

Why Do Fools Fall in Love was the first album Ross recorded after leaving the Motown label, when she signed a $20 million deal with RCA. Originally, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were slated to produce the follow-up to the platinum Diana (1980) album. However, their schedules were filled with commitments to also produce Debbie Harry's solo debut album KooKoo (1981), Johnny Mathis and another Chic album. Ross had given her word to RCA president Robert Summers to deliver an album for the 1981 holiday selling season.

The album was the first to be produced by Ross herself, and it became her second RIAA-certified platinum album.[a] It was also certified gold in the UK and Canada.

After Ross returned "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" to the Top Ten in 1981, a major controversy concerning Frankie Lymon's estate ensued. Three women each were involved in lawsuits and counter-lawsuits over Lymon's copyrights and royalties, claiming to be Lymon's rightful widow. The string of court cases led to the making of the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love.

Ross embarked on a world tour in support of the album.

The album was remastered and re-released on September 2, 2014, by Funky Town Grooves, with bonus material.[4]

## Singles

[edit]

The album includes the US top 10 hits "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" - a cover of the 1950s Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers classic - and the rock-flavoured "Mirror Mirror".

It also includes "Work That Body", co-written by Ross with Paul Jabara and Ray Chew which was a top 10 hit in the UK and top 15 in the Netherlands. "It's Never Too Late" was also released as a single in some international territories.

Also included on the album is a solo version of "Endless Love", which was a number one duet with Lionel Richie from earlier that year, as well as a version of another 1950s rock & roll classic, "Sweet Nothings" originally recorded by Brenda Lee.

## Track listing

[edit]

Side oneNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"|

* Frankie Lymon
* Morris Levy

| 2:53
2.| "Sweet Surrender"|

* Leonard Stack
* Cheryl Christiansen

| 4:09
3.| "Mirror, Mirror"|

* Michael Sembello
* Dennis Matkosky

| 6:08
4.| "Endless Love"| Lionel Richie| 4:56

Side twoNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

5.| "It's Never Too Late"| Dan Hartman| 3:19
6.| "Think I'm in Love"| L. Cheryl Taylor| 4:15
7.| "Sweet Nothings"|

* Ronnie Self
* Dub Albritton

| 3:00
8.| "Two Can Make It"|

* Dean Pitchford
* Tom Snow

| 3:24
9.| "Work That Body"|

* Diana Ross
* Paul Jabara
* Ray Chew

| 5:01
Total length:| 35:46

2014 Expanded Edition Bonus Tracks (Funky Town Grooves)No.| Title| Length

|
|

10.| "Mirror Mirror" (7" Mix)| 3:59
11.| "Mirror Mirror" (7" Alternate Version)| 4:06
12.| "Work That Body" (7" Mix)| 3:34
13.| "Work That Body" (12" Mix)| 6:31
14.| "Work That Body" (Extended Remix)| 6:22
15.| "Endless Love" (Edited Version)| 3:46
Total length:| 1:05:24

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the Why Do Fools Fall in Love liner notes.[5]

Musicians

* Diana Ross – lead vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (1–4, 6–9)
* Rob Mounsey – acoustic piano (1)
* Ray Chew – Rhodes (1, 6), acoustic piano (2–5, 7–9), arrangements (2–5, 8, 9)
* Pat Rebillot – acoustic piano (4)
* Ed Walsh – synthesizers (4)
* Leon Pendarvis – Rhodes (5, 7), arrangements (7)
* Ron Frangipane – acoustic piano (6), synthesizers (6), arrangements (6)
* Bob Kulick – guitar (1), electric guitar (3)
* Eric Gale – electric guitar (1, 2, 5–8) rhythm guitar (3)
* Jeff Mironov – electric guitar (1, 4–7, 9) rhythm guitar (3)
* Neil Jason – bass (1, 3–7, 9)
* Francisco Centeno – bass (2, 8)
* Yogi Horton – drums (all tracks)
* Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1, 3, 5–7, 9)
* George Young – tenor saxophone (1)
* Don Brooks – harmonica (2)
* Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone (7)
* Bert DeCoteaux – horn and string arrangements (1)
* Paul Riser – horn and string arrangements (2, 4, 5, 6, 8)
* Randy Brecker – horn arrangements (3, 7)
* Lamar Alsop – concertmaster (1, 2, 4–6, 8)
* Lionel Richie – lead and backing vocals (4)
* Margaret Dorn – backing vocals (5, 9)
* Leata Galloway – backing vocals (5, 9)
* Millie Whiteside – backing vocals (5, 9)

## Production

[edit]

* Producer – Diana Ross
* Production assistance – Sephra Herman
* Production manager – Matt Murphy
* Engineer – Larry Alexander
* Assistant engineer – Dave Greenberg
* Recorded at the Power Station (New York, NY).
* Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
* Inside photography – Claude Mougin
* Cover photo – Douglas Kirkland

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (1981/82)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 47
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[7] | 33
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[8] | 3
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[9] | 3
Japan Albums Chart  | 28
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[10] | 5
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 6
UK Albums (OCC)[12] | 17
US Billboard 200[13] | 15
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] | 4

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for Why Do Fools Fall in Love Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[15] | Gold  | 50,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[16] | Gold  | 25,000[16]
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] | Gold  | 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[18] | Platinum  | 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ This is misleading, since Motown was inconsistent to joining the RIAA for most of their 1960s and 1970s releases. She would have considerably more certifications.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 704\. ISBN 9780743201698.
2. ^ J. Andy Taraborrelli (2007). Diana Ross: the Unauthorized Biography. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-330-43600-7.
3. ^ AllMusic review
4. ^ "Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Expanded Edition)". FunkyTownGrooves.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
5. ^ Why Do Fools Fall in Love (CD booklet). Diana Ross. Capitol Records. 1981.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 259\. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
7. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0439". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
8. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
9. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Diana Ross". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 219. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
10. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
11. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
12. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
13. ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
14. ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
15. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Music Canada.
16. ^ a b "Diana Ross" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
17. ^ "British album certifications – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love". British Phonographic Industry.
18. ^ "American album certifications – Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Recording Industry Association of America.

## External links

[edit]

* Why Do Fools Fall in Love at Discogs (list of releases)

* v
* t
* e

Diana Ross

* Discography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Diana Ross (1970)
* Everything Is Everything (1970)
* Surrender (1971)
* Touch Me in the Morning (1973)
* Diana & Marvin (1973)
* Last Time I Saw Him (1973)
* Diana Ross (1976)
* Baby It's Me (1977)
* Ross (1978)
* The Boss (1979)
* Diana (1980)
* Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1981)
* Silk Electric (1982)
* Ross (1983)
* Swept Away (1984)
* Eaten Alive (1985)
* Red Hot Rhythm & Blues (1987)
* Workin' Overtime (1989)
* The Force Behind the Power (1991)
* A Very Special Season (1994)
* Take Me Higher (1995)
* Every Day Is a New Day (1999)
* Blue (2006)
* I Love You (2006)
* Diana Ross Sings Songs from The Wiz (rec. 1978, rel. 2015)
* Thank You (2021)

Compilations|

* Greatest Hits (1972)
* Diana Ross' Greatest Hits (1976)
* 20 Golden Greats (1979)
* To Love Again (1981)
* All the Great Hits (1981)
* Forever Diana: Musical Memoirs (1993)
* One Woman: The Ultimate Collection (1993)
* Diana Extended: The Remixes (1994)
* Voice of Love (1996)
* Love & Life: The Very Best of Diana Ross (2001)
* The Definitive Collection (2006)
* The Greatest (2011)
* Upside Down: The Collection (2012)
* Supertonic: Mixes (2020)

Live releases|

* Live at Caesars Palace (1974)
* An Evening with Diana Ross (1977)
* Greatest Hits Live (1989)
* Stolen Moments: The Lady Sings... Jazz and Blues (1993)
* Christmas in Vienna (1993)

Soundtrack albums|

* Diana! (1971)
* Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
* Mahogany (1975)
* The Wiz (1978)
* Endless Love (1981)

Video albums|

* Live in Central Park (2012)

Singles|

* "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)"
* "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
* "Remember Me"
* "Reach Out (I'll Be There)"
* "Surrender"
* "I'm Still Waiting"
* "Good Morning Heartache"
* "Touch Me in the Morning"
* "You're a Special Part of Me"
* "Last Time I Saw Him"
* "My Mistake (Was to Love You)"
* "You Are Everything"
* "Don't Knock My Love"
* "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)"
* "Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right"
* "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)"
* "I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)"
* "Love Hangover"
* "One Love in My Lifetime"
* "Gettin' Ready for Love"
* "Your Love Is So Good for Me"
* "You Got It"
* "Lovin', Livin' and Givin'"
* "Ease on Down the Road"
* "Pops, We Love You"
* "What You Gave Me"
* "The Boss"
* "No One Gets the Prize"
* "It's My House"
* "Upside Down"
* "I'm Coming Out"
* "My Old Piano"
* "It's My Turn"
* "One More Chance"
* "Cryin' My Heart Out for You"
* "Endless Love"
* "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
* "Mirror, Mirror"
* "Work That Body"
* "Muscles"
* "So Close"
* "Pieces of Ice"
* "All of You"
* "Swept Away"
* "Touch by Touch"
* "Missing You"
* "Eaten Alive"
* "Chain Reaction"
* "Experience"
* "Dirty Looks"
* "If We Hold On Together"
* "Workin' Overtime"
* "This House" / "Paradise"
* "When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
* "Someday We'll Be Together"
* "Take Me Higher"
* "I Will Survive"
* "Not Over You Yet"
* "Goin' Back"
* "I've Got a Crush on You"
* "Thank You"
* "If the World Just Danced"
* "Turn Up the Sunshine"

Featured singles|

* "A Brand New Day"
* "We Are the World"

Tours and concerts|

* Super Bowl XXX halftime show (1996)
* Return to Love Tour (2000)
* I Love You Tour (2006–2008)
* More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour (2010–2012)
* In the Name of Love Tour (2013–2017)
* The Essential Diana Ross: Some Memories Never Fade (2015–2017)

Related topics|

* The Supremes
* Rhonda Ross Kendrick (daughter)
* Tracee Ellis Ross (daughter)
* Evan Ross (son)
* Arne Næss Jr. (second husband)
* Arthur "T-Boy" Ross (brother)
* Diana Ross Playground
* Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template