Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)

"Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" is a song by British singer Sonia. It was produced by Nigel Wright for Sonia's second studio album, Sonia (1991). The song was written by Tony Hiller, who had success in the 1970s as manager for Brotherhood of Man, and one-time member Barry Upton. This song was released in May 1991 by label I.Q. as the album's first single, and was a top ten hit in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

"Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)"
Single by Sonia
from the album Sonia
Released	20 May 1991 (1991-05-20)^[1]
Length	3:44
Label	I.Q.
Songwriter(s)	Tony Hiller, Barry Upton
Producer(s)	Nigel Wright
Sonia singles chronology
"End of the World" (1990) "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (1991) "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" (1991)

Background and writing

Co-writer Barry Upton commented that he'd initially written the song with Diana Ross in mind, but Sonia's A&R man, Simon Cowell heard the song and took it for her. After the single's success, Upton was keen to work with her directly, but Cowell prevented this.^[2]

Critical reception

Mark Frith from Smash Hits described "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" as "a hand-clapping, trombone-touting song about love, boys and heartbreak that should have been made in 1963. Sonia would be The Supremes if she could find two other people like her".^[3]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" debuted at number 28 on 1 June 1991, climbed to number ten in its fourth week, and fell off the top 100 after eight weeks.^[4] It was much aired on the national radios, reaching number two on the airplay chart.^[5] It also reached a peak of number six in Ireland,^[6] number 29 in Finland and number 51 in Germany. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it started at number 64 on the chart edition of 15 June 1991, peaked at number 31 two weeks later and charted for a total of five weeks.^[7]

Track listings

• 7-inch and cassette single^[8][9]

1. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)"
2. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (instrumental)

• 12-inch single^[10]

A. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (extended club mix)

B. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (instrumental)

• CD single^[11]

1. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (7-inch version)
2. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (extended club mix)
3. "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (instrumental)

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)"

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Europe (European Airplay Top 50)^[12]	23
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[7]	31
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[13]	29
Germany (Airplay Top 20)^[14]	18
Germany (Official German Charts)^[15]	51
Ireland (IRMA)^[6]	6
Sweden (Airplay Top 20)^[16]	18
UK (Airplay Top 20)^[5]	2
UK Singles (OCC)^[4]	10

References

1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 18 May 1991. p. 21.
2. Interview with Barry Upton, "Everybody knows Sonia" website, 2007
3. Frith, Mark (15 May 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 44. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
4. "Official Charts > Sonia". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
5. "National Airplay - United Kingdom" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 28. 13 July 1991. p. 25. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 24 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
6. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Only Fools". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 26. 29 June 1991. p. 25.
8. Only Fools (Never Fall in Love) (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Sonia. I.Q. Records. 1991. ZB 44613.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Only Fools (Never Fall in Love) (UK cassette single sleeve). Sonia. I.Q. Records. 1991. ZK 44613.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. Only Fools (Never Fall in Love) (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Sonia. I.Q. Records. 1991. ZT 44614.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. Only Fools (Never Fall in Love) (UK CD single liner notes). Sonia. I.Q. Records. 1991. ZD 44614.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 28. 13 July 1991. p. 25. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 24 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
13. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Sonia". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 241. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
14. "National Airplay - Germany" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 36. 7 September 1991. p. 28. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 24 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
15. "Sonia – Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
16. "National Airplay - Sweden" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 33. 17 August 1991. p. 19. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 24 November 2022 – via World Radio History.