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