"What Kind of Fool Am I?" is a popular song written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and published in 1962. It was introduced by Anthony Newley in the musical Stop The World - I Want To Get Off. It comes at the end of Act Two to close the show.[1][2]
This song was recorded whilst Newley was on the road with this production in the United States, after its successful run in the United Kingdom. By the time the cast reached New York, Tony Bennett had re-recorded the song.
The song was a hit for Sammy Davis, Jr. in the year of its publication, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at #6 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.[3] It also won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. In 1963 Shirley Bassey released this song as a Columbia Record single and her version reached #47 on the UK charts. Lesley Gore included a version of the song on her 1963 debut album, I'll Cry If I Want To.[4] Lesser chart records included Robert Goulet and the writer, Anthony Newley. James Brown recorded "What Kind of Fool Am I?" for his 1970 album Soul on Top. In 1964, jazz artist Vince Guaraldi (who'd later be known for his Linus and Lucy fame, and was already known for "Cast Your Fate To The Wind") did a latin jazz cover for his album "The Latin Side Of Vince Guaraldi". Sergio Franchi covered this song on his 1963 RCA Victor Red Seal album Broadway, I Love You.[5]
"What Kind of Fool Am I?" also is known as the signature song of Regine Velasquez. Done in power ballad style and powerful vocals, the song help reach platinum status on its 1994 CD-release and is included on her multiplatinum international album "Listen Without Prejudice". Achieved At least 2x Platinum Per Asian Country in the cited year.
Kermit the Frog performed this song on The Ed Sullivan Show on May 31, 1970, where he was repeatedly interrupted by Grover. Several other Muppet monsters made cameo appearances in the finale.
The song was recorded again in 2002 by Chicago entertainer, Dave Seabaugh on his Dave Seabaugh LIVE album.
Donald Braswell II recorded this song on his 2007 album New Chapter.
The American indie folk rock band Deer Tick recorded a cover of the song on their 2007 album War Elephant.
Clay Aiken recorded the song on his 2010 album Tried and True.
This song was the inspiration for a Gary Larson cartoon.
[from wikipedia]

LYRICS
What kind of fool am I, who never fell in love?
It seems that I'm the only one I have been thinking of.
What kind of man is this? An empty shell, a lonely cell
In which an empty heart must dwell?
What kind of lips are these that lied with every kiss?
That whispered empty words of love that left me alone like this?
Why can't I fall in love like any other man?
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am.
What kind of clown am I? What do I know of life?
Why can't I cast away the mask of play and live my life?
Why can't I fall in love, till I don't give a damn?
And maybe THEN I'll know what kind of fool I am.