'Chain Of Fools' is composed completely in a minor mode (Aeolian), and is one of the few hit songs based on just one (minor) chord.
It is claimed by some that the song is an unauthorized rewrite of the gospel song 'Pains of Life' recorded by Rev E Fair & The Sensational Gladys Davis Trio (an obscure gospel group from Houston TX) but without evidence showing that the gospel song was recorded first, this can only be conjecture.

Aretha Franklin's version

Aretha Franklin first released the song as a single in 1967 and subsequently it appeared on many of her albums. The personnel on the original recording included Melvin Lastie on trumpet, Tony Studd on bass trombone, King Curtis and Charlie Chalmers on tenor sax, Spooner Oldham on piano, Truman Thomas on organ, Ted Sommer on vibes, Joe South and Jimmy Johnson on guitars, Tommy Cogbill on bass, and Roger Hawkins on drums.
It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart, staying there for four weeks, and went to number two on the pop chart in January 1968. It won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and later a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, this song was ranked #249 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The trademark tremolo guitar licks at the introduction were played by Joe South.
The song was edited for LP & 45 - the original long version appeared on the Quadrophonic hits LP in the 1970s and on the 1995 Rhino stereo CD - a scary guitar and vocal intro ! Live recordings featured on the albums Aretha in Paris (1968) and VH1 Divas Live (1998, with Mariah Carey).