"Everybody Plays the Fool" is a 1972 song first recorded by American R&B group the Main Ingredient, and written by J. R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Ken Williams. It was the first single released from the group's album Bitter Sweet, released with the B-side "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me?)". "Everybody Plays the Fool" was the group's highest charting hit single, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the fall of 1972. It also peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart and at No. 25 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications) It was certified gold by the RIAA.Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)

The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 1973 ceremony, losing to "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".

A 1991 cover of the song by Aaron Neville, from the album Warm Your Heart, was also successful, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 in New Zealand.

Charts Weekly charts Chart (1972) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 44 Canada Top Singles (RPM)6 US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 3 US Easy Listening (Billboard)25 US Best Selling Soul Singles (Billboard)2 US Cash Box Top 1001

Year-end charts Chart (1972)RankAustralia136Canada66US Billboard Hot 10029US Cash Box Top 10029

Aaron Neville version

American singer Aaron Neville recorded a cover version of "Everybody Plays the Fool" in 1991 which also hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching No. 8 in the fall of that year, and it spent 20 weeks on the chart. This was Neville's third Top 10 hit on the pop chart, following "Tell It Like It Is" (1967, No. 2) and his duet with Linda Ronstadt, "Don't Know Much" (1989, No. 2). Neville's single also went to No. 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. In addition, it was a No. 1 single in New Zealand.

Critical reception The song received a positive review from AllMusic. Alex Henderson felt that "Everybody Plays the Fool" showed that Neville still had plenty of warmth and charisma. Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated that "the New Orleans soul brother has found the right catchy tune on a reggae beat to establish his enormous vocal acrobatics on EHR level again."

David Fricke from Rolling Stone described the song as a "rinky-dink reggae cover".Fricke, David (December 12, 1991-December 26, 1991). "The year in records". Rolling Stone. Issue 619/620. Juke said, "One of the great, sweet voices in rock and soul history steps put from the fraternal fold for a rare solo performance and blows it with a substandard slice of sickly sweet balladry.

Music video Neville's music video was set in New Orleans, and featured an appearance of his niece, Arthel Neville.

Charts Weekly charts Chart (1991)Peak positionAustralia (ARIA)52 US Billboard Hot 100 8 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 1 US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)2 US Cash Box Top 10011

Year-end charts Chart (1991)RankCanada Adult Contemporary (RPM)28New Zealand (RIANZ)14US Billboard Hot 10087

Certifications

References