Why Do Fools Fall in Love cover art

  Studio Album · No. 7

Why Do Fools Fall in Love Songwriting Credits by Diana Ross

1981 RCA 9 tracks 36 min

Produced by Diana Ross

RCA Dance-popR&B
11%
Authorship
Singer / Performer

Holds writing credit on 1 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 1 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Diana Ross carries a lyricist or composer credit.

11%
1 trackwritten by Diana Ross 8 tracksoutside writers
Diana Ross's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist11%
Composer11%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
16
Lyricists
1
Producers
1
No.1 Single
Platinum
US Copies Sold
1981
Released
Data Insight

Why Do Fools Fall in Love marks the moment Ross took the producer's chair herself, but in songwriting she stays the interpreter: the title track revives a Frankie Lymon classic, 'Endless Love' is Lionel Richie's, and most of the album comes from outside writers. The exception is the closer 'Work That Body,' where Ross shares a writing credit with Paul Jabara and Ray Chew, one of the only songs in this entry that carries her own name as a writer.

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is the studio album by Diana Ross released in September 1981, her first after leaving Motown for RCA in North America and Capitol in Europe. It was also the first album she produced herself, signaling new creative control even as she continued to sing material written by others. The title track revived the Frankie Lymon classic, 'Mirror, Mirror' became a hit, and the set included the chart-topping Lionel Richie duet 'Endless Love.' Ross takes a rare co-writing credit on the closer 'Work That Body,' one of the few songs in this entry to carry her name as a writer.

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Why Do Fools Fall in Love #7
Frankie LymonMorris Levy Frankie LymonMorris Levy Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
2
Sweet Surrender
Leonard StackCheryl Christiansen Leonard StackCheryl Christiansen Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
3
Mirror, Mirror #8
Michael SembelloDennis Matkosky Michael SembelloDennis Matkosky Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
4
Endless Love #1
Lionel Richie Lionel Richie Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)Lionel Richie (Lead Vocals)
5
It's Never Too Late
Dan Hartman Dan Hartman Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
6
Think I'm in Love
L. Cheryl Taylor L. Cheryl Taylor Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
7
Sweet Nothings
Ronnie SelfDub Albritton Ronnie SelfDub Albritton Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
8
Two Can Make It
Dean PitchfordTom Snow Dean PitchfordTom Snow Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)
9
Work That Body
Diana RossPaul JabaraRay Chew Diana RossPaul JabaraRay Chew Diana Ross Diana Ross (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 16 contributors

More from Diana Ross

Frequently Asked Questions Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Who wrote Why Do Fools Fall in Love?
Most of the album came from outside writers, including the Frankie Lymon title song and Lionel Richie's 'Endless Love.' Ross co-wrote only the closer 'Work That Body.'
Did Diana Ross produce this album?
Yes. It was the first album she produced herself, marking a shift toward greater creative control.
Did Diana Ross write any songs on the album?
She shares a co-writing credit on 'Work That Body' with Paul Jabara and Ray Chew, one of the few writing credits of her own in this entry.
Is Endless Love on this album?
Yes. The Lionel Richie duet 'Endless Love' is included and had topped the Hot 100 earlier in 1981.
Why did Diana Ross leave Motown for this album?
She signed new deals with RCA in North America and Capitol in Europe, and this was her first album under them.
How well did the album sell?
It is certified platinum in the United States and gold in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Sources