Poor Little Fool

"Poor Little Fool" is a rock and roll song written by Sharon Sheeley and first recorded by Ricky Nelson in 1958.

Sheeley penned the song when she was only fifteen years old. She had met Elvis Presley, and he encouraged her to write. The song was based on her disappointment following a short-lived relationship with a member of a popular singing duo. Sheeley sought Ricky Nelson to record the tune. She drove to Nelson's house, and decided she might be able to meet the star if she claimed her car had broken down. Nelson came to her aid, and Sheeley sprang the song on him. Her version was at a much faster tempo than Nelson's recording.

The song was recorded by Ricky Nelson on April 17, 1958, and released on Imperial Records 5528. It holds the distinction of being the first number-one song on Billboard magazine's then newly created Hot 100 chart, replacing the magazine's Jockeys and Top 100 charts. It spent two weeks at the number-one spot. The record also reached the top ten on the Billboard Country and Rhythm and Blues charts. Following the song's success, Sheeley decided to work with Eddie Cochran.