A Fool In Love - Edit

"A Fool In Love" was written by Ike Turner, who nine years earlier delivered what many consider to be the first rock and roll song with "Rocket 88." Turner was a key figure in the crossover from R&B to rock, as heard on both of these songs.

This was the first single for Ike & Tina Turner, and Tina's debut as lead vocalist. Tina had been performing with Ike's band, the Kings Of Rhythm, for three years, but rarely appeared on their recordings. When the woman scheduled to record "A Fool In Love" as lead singer failed to show up at the studio, Tina volunteered to take the lead microphone. The song marked the beginning of Ike & Tina Turner as a duo; they were a couple, but not yet married, even though Ike insisted she take the stage name "Tina Turner" (she was born Anna Mae Bullock).

In this song, Tina Turner sings from the perspective of a woman who will do anything for her man no matter how poorly he treats her. The song was a harbinger of sorts, as her relationship with Ike turned abusive. By 1968, it was so bad that Tina attempted suicide. Still, she stayed with Ike until 1976, when she felt she had found the strength to take control of her life. Tina's inspirational comeback in the '80s is a triumphant chapter in her life story, which is depicted in the 1993 film What's Love Got To Do With It.