Elvin Bishop’s name is synonymous with the iconic song “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” a staple on classic rock radio and in movie soundtracks. Released in 1976, the track became a massive hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, a surprising fact often accompanies this song: Elvin Bishop, despite writing it, never actually sang the lead vocals on his own hit. So, who wrote “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” and what’s the story behind this beloved tune?
The answer is indeed Elvin Bishop. This blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter penned the song for his album Struttin’ My Stuff, released in 1975. While Bishop’s guitar work is prominent on the track, the smooth, soulful vocals that define “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” are delivered by Mickey Thomas. Adding to the song’s internal band dynamics, drummer Donny Baldwin, who also contributed to the recording, later joined Thomas in Jefferson Starship.
The lyrics of “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” tell a relatable tale of a self-proclaimed womanizer who unexpectedly finds himself falling deeply in love. The song’s narrator confesses to a past of casual relationships, admitting to a detached heart, until love unexpectedly changes everything.
I must’ve been through about a million girls
I’d love ’em and I’d leave ’em alone
I didn’t care how much they cried, no sir
Their tears left me cold as a stone
Elvin Bishop’s musical journey began far from the rock and roll spotlight. Born in Glendale, California, in 1942, he spent his formative years on an Iowa farm before his family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma. His passion for blues and guitar led him to join the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the early 1960s. He spent five years with the band, contributing to their first four albums, including their self-titled debut in 1965.
In 1968, Bishop ventured out as a solo artist, forming the Elvin Bishop Group. His career flourished, and he found himself sharing stages with legendary bands like The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band in the late 60s and 70s. He also collaborated with blues icons Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker, and toured with B.B. King, solidifying his place in the blues and rock world.
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” has enjoyed a remarkable legacy beyond its initial chart success. The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, enhancing iconic scenes in Boogie Nights and Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as in an episode of Friday Night Lights. Its enduring appeal has also led to covers by various artists, including Rod Stewart, who recorded his version in 2006, and Miranda Lambert, whose 2019 rendition featured a collaboration with Ashley McBryde, Elle King, Maren Morris, and others, earning both CMA and ACM award nominations and wins.
Elvin Bishop’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 as a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and into the Blues Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2016. “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” remains a testament to his songwriting talent, even if he let Mickey Thomas take the vocal lead, creating a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.
