Only a Fool Would Say That
"Only a Fool Would Say That" is a song by the American rock band Steely Dan from their 1972 debut album Can't Buy a Thrill, written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Background
"Only a Fool Would Say That" is a song with lyrics rumored to mock John Lennon’s 1971 song "Imagine". In 2024, American Songwriter claimed that the lyrics were chiding Lennon for "being out of touch with reality."The track ends with the phrase "Solamente un tonto diría eso", Spanish for "only a fool would say that", spoken by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter.
Release
"Only a Fool Would Say That" was released in March 1973 as the B-side to the single "Reelin' In the Years".Reception
Mojo magazine ranked it number 25 in their list of Steely Dan's 30 greatest songs. The British broadcast service BBC called it "quintessential Dan: mellifluous yet mordant, easy on the ear but as caustic as any dissection of the American dream."Personnel
Steely Dan
- Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – guitar, pedal steel guitar, spoken Spanish
- Walter Becker – electric bass guitar, backing vocals
- Denny Dias – guitar
- Donald Fagen – piano, electric piano, lead vocals
- Jim Hodder – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- David Palmer – co-lead vocals, backing vocals
Production
- Gary Katz – producer
- Roger Nichols – engineer
- Tim Weston – assistant engineer
- Doug Sax – mastering engineer
Cover versions
- The American indie pop band Ivy released a cover version on their 2002 album Guestroom.