Darktown Strutter's Ball
Fats Domino Lyrics


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I'll be there to catch you in a taxi, honey

Better be ready 'bout half past eight

Now baby, don't be late

I wanna be there when the band start playing
Remember when we get there, honey

Two-step, I'm gonna have them all

Gonna dance out of both of my shoes

When they play the 'Jelly Roll Blue'

Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's Ball

I'll be there to catch you in a taxi, honey

Better be ready 'bout half past eight

Now baby, don't be late

I wanna be there when the band start playing

Remember when we get there, honey

Two-step, I'm gonna have them all

Gonna dance out of both of my shoes

When they play the 'Jelly Roll Blue'





Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's Ball

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fats Domino's song "Darktown Strutter's Ball" are a playful and joyous invitation to a night of dancing and revelry. The singer is promising to be there to pick up their date at half past eight and urging them not to be late. They are eager to arrive in time for the band to start playing and to dance the night away. The singer promises to have everyone on the dance floor and to dance so hard that they'll be out of their shoes when the band plays the 'Jelly Roll Blue'. The tone of the song is exuberant, celebrating the joy of dancing and the thrill of a night out.


The song was written in 1917 and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Louis Armstrong and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. It has become a classic of the jazz and swing era, with its lively melody and playful lyrics capturing the spirit of the time. The song is often associated with New Orleans, where Fats Domino was born and raised, and where the jazz and blues scene flourished in the early 20th century. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of the music of that era and the joy it still brings to listeners today.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll be there to catch you in a taxi, honey
I will be there to meet you and escort you to the Darktown Strutter's Ball


Better be ready 'bout half past eight
Be prepared to leave by 8:30 pm


Now baby, don't be late
Don't arrive after me or miss the event altogether


I wanna be there when the band start playing
I want to hear the music when the band starts performing


Remember when we get there, honey
Recall our plan when we arrive at the Darktown Strutter's Ball


Two-step, I'm gonna have them all
I am going to show off my amazing skills with the Two-Step dance


Gonna dance out of both of my shoes
I am going to dance so hard that my shoes could fly off


When they play the 'Jelly Roll Blue'
Once the band starts playing the song 'Jelly Roll Blue'


Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's Ball
The event 'Darktown Strutter's Ball' is happening tomorrow night




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shelton Brooks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

cflmaior

The complete lyrics, to whomever may be interested:

I've got some news, honey
An invitation to the Darktown Hall
It's a very swell affair
All the "high-browns"(¹) will be there
I'll wear my high silk hat and frock tail coat
You wear your Paris gown and your new silk shawl
There ain't no doubt about it, babe,
We'll be the best dressed in the hall!
I'll be down to get you in a taxi, honey
You better be ready at half-past eight
Now dearie, don't be late
I want to be there when the band starts playing
Remember when we get there, honey
The two-steps I'm goin' to have 'em all
Goin' to dance both my shoes
When they play the "Jelly Roll Blues" (²)
Tomorrow night, at the Darktown Strutter's Ball!
We'll meet our high-toned (³) neighbors
An exhibition of the "Baby Dolls" (4)
And each one will do their best,
Just to outclass the rest,
And there'll be dancers from ev'ry foreign land,
The classic, buck and wing, and the wooden clog (5)
We'll win that fifty-dollar prize (6)
When we step out and "Walk the Dog"! (7)
¹ - A black person having light-colored skin.
² - This song is widely acknowledged as the very first jazz tune, written by Jelly Roll Morton in 1910 and first published in 1915.
³ - Affectedly stylish.
4 - During the Carnival in New Orleans, "Baby Dolls" were "ladies of the night" who wore what they called "bloomers" with fringe around it and a can-can skirt.
5 - Buck and wing: a tap dance derived in style from black and Irish clog dances, marked especially by vigorous hopping, flinging of the legs, and clicking of the heels.
6 - Watch the movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" for the explanation.
7 - "Walkin' the Dog" is a song written by Shelton Brooks in 1916.



Fifury161

The alternative lyrics are:
Riding along my pushbike honey
When I noticed you.
Riding down town in a hurry honey
Down South Avenue.
You looked so pretty
As you were riding along.
You looked so pretty
As you were singing this song.
Put on the speed
And I tried catching up
But you were pedaling harder too.
Riding along like a hurricane honey
Spinning out of view.
You looked so pretty
As you were riding along.
You looked so pretty
As you were singing this song.
Sing this song.
Round round wheels going
Round round round
Down up Pedals going
Down up down
But I got to get across to
The other side of town
Before the sun goes down.
Now we're riding along on our bicycle honey
That's a bicycle built for two
I'm looking at my honey in the rear view mirror
Now I got a better view
You looked so pretty
As you were riding along.
You looked so pretty
As you were singing this song.
Sing this song
Round round wheels going
Round round round
Down up Pedals going
Down up down
But I got to get across to
The other side of town
Before the sun goes down.



Dean Hirata

I'll be down to get you in a taxi, honey.
Better be ready bout a half past eight.
Now, baby- Don't be late.
I wanna be there when
The band starts playin'.

Remember when we get there, honey;
Two steps, I'm gonna have 'em all.
I'm gonna dance off both my shoes
When they play the Jelly Roll blues
Tomorrow night at the downtown Strutter's Ball.

Music plays...

Remember when you get there, honey;
Two steps I'm gonna have 'em all.
I'm gonna dance off both my shoes
When they play that Jelly Roll blues.
Tomorrow night at the downtown Strutter's Ball.
Now don't you be late, hear?



All comments from YouTube:

Terry McKean

Right on, Fats Domino, and RIP. He didn't sell out his people by saying the racist "darktown" word in his version of this song.....he sang the lyrics with the word "downtown" in it's place. < 3
I absolutely love the rhythm and melody of this song, and I especially love his version of the lyrics.
Thanks for sharing, John1948FourD

David Horrigan

Rest in Peace, Fats, thanks for all your wonderful music.

cupajoy10

I love Fats, and I love the great job he does on this song!!!

John Benn

I agree 100% An incredible performer. Always gave his fans 110% in all his songs. There will never be another one like Fats. Amazing & very enjoyable

Elba Schaaf

Esa es la música que bailaban mis padres!!!! Que emoción !!!

Phil Silverman

I believe this classic was unreleased until 1992! One of his best cuts, no doubt.

cupajoy10

My mom sang this song and danced all around the house when I was a kid. We laughed our heads off when she imitated the trombone.

magajazzfan Lee

Nesses anos, eu era uma criança mas essa música me contagiou!!! Maga-Lee ;-))

merlin saly

Ground layer of R&R. The best swingin' rockin' piano. Rest in Peace.

Timothy Thorne

Great song! I'm not a Fats fan, but this is tremendous, and so is Ain't That A Shame.

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