Who wrote Aretha Franklin's hit 'Chain of Fools'?

Don Covay wrote Aretha Franklin’s hit “Chain of Fools.”

Covay originally wrote the song years earlier while singing gospel with his siblings. He recorded a demo for Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler, who had initially been seeking material for Otis Redding. Wexler ultimately decided the song suited Franklin better.

Franklin released “Chain of Fools” as a single in 1967, and it later appeared on her acclaimed album Lady Soul. The recording reached No. 1 on the U.S. R&B chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also won Franklin a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

A common mix-up is confusing Covay with Wexler: Wexler produced the record, but Covay was the songwriter. The distinctive tremolo guitar heard at the beginning was played by Joe South.