Unveiling the Tale Behind Barbara Mandrell‘s Hit Song: “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools”
Written by the talented duo of R. C. Bannon and John Bettis, the song “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” marked a pivotal moment in Barbara Mandrell’s illustrious career, soaring to the top of the Billboard charts in 1983.
This musical masterpiece was not crafted in isolation but rather emerged from the creative synergy of family ties. The genesis of this chart-topper can be traced back to a frigid winter’s day when Barbara Mandrell’s brother-in-law, R. C. Bannon, embarked on a songwriting adventure with John Bettis. The unlikely setting for this collaboration was none other than Barbara’s own yacht, anchored on the serene waters of Old Hickory Lake, just northeast of Nashville.
Over five consecutive days, this talented trio immersed themselves in the creative process, birthing a slew of songs that would eventually find their place in the annals of country music history. Among these compositions was the intriguing “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools.”
Initially, the songwriting journey began with a different title, “Too Hot To Sleep.” However, as the lyrics began to take shape, it became clear that this creation was destined for Barbara Mandrell herself. The sheer magnetism of “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” resonated with Barbara, and the song soon found its rightful place in her repertoire.
Interestingly, Bannon and Bettis had originally earmarked this musical gem for Barbara’s sister, Louise, who was enjoying a reasonably successful stint with RCA at the time. Upon their return from the yacht, the two songwriters presented both songs, “Too Hot To Sleep” and “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools,” to Louise. After careful consideration, Louise favored “Too Hot To Sleep.”
However, fate had other plans. Barbara’s preference for “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” led to a delightful twist in their musical journey. The sisters decided to swap songs, with Louise achieving a respectable #10 position on the charts with “Too Hot To Sleep” during the summer of 1983. In contrast, Barbara’s rendition of “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools” reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s country singles chart on November 19, 1983, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
Despite her triumphs on the music scene, life threw a curveball at Barbara Mandrell roughly ten months later, on September 11, 1984. A harrowing car accident involving her and her two children left her with a severe concussion and rumors swirling that her career might come to an abrupt end.
Yet, true to her resilient spirit, Barbara refused to be kept away from the stage for long. On January 3, 1985, she addressed the rumors in a press conference, demonstrating her unwavering determination to overcome adversity. Her triumphant return to live performances on June 10th at the Music City News awards showcased her indomitable spirit. And, as if to defy all odds, on September 6, 1985, Barbara welcomed her third child into the world, proving that her life was a story of resilience and continued success.
Album: Spun Gold
Artist: Barbara Mandrell
Released: 1983
Genre: Country
Lyrics
He had the best of both worlds
Yours and mine
And I bet he’s proud of himself
The way he split his time
Telling all his friends
How good it feels to play both ends
I’m sure in all of their eyes
That you and I are
One of a kind, a pair of fools
Two women one man’s been lying to
You thought you were the only one, I thought I was too
We’re one of a kind, a pair of fools
Honey, we could talk this out
Like the best of friends
But we’re not to blame for the pain
That, that man has put us in
When we break the news
That you know about me and I know about you
After what he’s done
He better start to run from this
One of a kind, a pair of fools
Two women one man’s been lying to
You thought you were the only one, I thought I was too
We’re one of a kind, a pair of fools
When we break the news
That you know about me and I know about you
After what he’s done
He better start to run from this
One of a kind, a pair of fools
Two women one man’s been lying to
You thought you were the only one, I thought I was too
I guess we see now what blind love can do
We’re one of a kind, a pair of fools
Two women one man’s been lying to
You thought you were the only one
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