"Since I Fell for You" is a blues ballad written and composed by Buddy Johnson, who is credited as sole composer and lyricist, and first released in 1945. Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra recorded the original version in New York on 7 November 1945, with vocals by Ella Johnson, Buddy's sister. Its first release on a single came in January 1947 under the title "They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool". A 1947 version by Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten and His Trio helped establish the song as a jazz and pop standard, reaching number three on the Billboard Race Records chart.
The best-known hit is Lenny Welch's 1963 recording for Cadence Records, made on 13 August 1963. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963 and was the title track of his debut album, released in January 1964. Other charted versions include those by Laura Lee (1972), Charlie Rich (1976, number ten on the country chart), Hodges, James & Smith (1977) and Con Hunley (1979). Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Barbra Streisand, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, Willie Nelson, B.B. King and Ella Fitzgerald are also among the artists who recorded the song.
