Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino (born February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Lou… Read Full Bio ↴Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino (born February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died October 24, 2017), was a classic R&B and rock and roll singer, songwriter and pianist. He was the best-selling African-American singer of the 1950s and early 1960s whose congenial, non threatening personality allowed him to succeed despite a period of deep-seated racial segregation. Domino is also a pianist with an individualistic bluesy style showing stride and boogie-woogie influences.

In 1986, he was among the first batch to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. "Ain't That A Shame" and "Blueberry Hill" were named part of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. In 2004, "Blueberry Hill" was named #81 and "Ain't That A Shame" was named #431 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs Of All Time. In 2004, he was named #25 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time.

In the wake of Domino's rescue from his 9th ward home during 2005's Hurricane Katrina, the Tipitina's Foundation organized a tribute album to the elder artist featuring Robert Plant, Norah Jones, Paul McCartney and numerous other acts that owe a creative debt to this seminal rock n roll pianist.

Gotta Get a Job
Fats Domino Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gotta Get A Job

I've gotta get a job
First thing in the mornin'
Dress up real sharp
Take an early bus downtown
I borrow your paper
I read the want ads

Take what they got
'Cause I need a job real bad
I'm tired of bein' broke
Ain't got a dime
Man, he's always callin'
Pay my rent on time
So I've put on my hat
And my old cashmere coat
If I don't get a paper
It won't be much hope
I ain't got a friend
No one I can find
I can't even borrow the right time
Ain't got no money
Can't get a dime
I can't even shame my own mind

I've gotta get a job
First thing in the mornin'
Dress up real sharp
Take an early bus downtown
I borrow your paper
I read the want ads

Take what they got
'Cause I need a job real bad

Overall Meaning

In "Gotta Get a Job," Fats Domino sings about the struggle of unemployment and the desperation one feels when they need money but can't seem to find work. The lyrics detail the steps he takes to try and secure employment: waking up early, getting dressed, and taking the bus downtown with hopes of finding opportunities in the newspaper help wanted ads. The song also touches on the anxiety and loneliness that can come with financial hardship, with Domino lamenting that he doesn't have any friends to turn to and can't even "borrow the right time."

Throughout the verses, one can feel the weight of the situation heavily weighing on the singer. He feels like he's run out of options and must resort to taking what jobs are available, regardless of how fitting or desirable they may be. The chorus repeats the title phrase, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need to take action immediately.

Overall, "Gotta Get a Job" speaks to the universal experience of struggling to make ends meet and the stress that comes with unemployment. Perhaps most poignant, however, is how Domino's lyrics capture the sense of hopelessness that can come with financial insecurity, where even the smallest expenses become insurmountable obstacles. In a world increasingly defined by precarious work and unstable employment, this song remains a powerful testament to the human cost of living with economic uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

I've gotta get a job
I am in urgent need of securing employment

First thing in the mornin'
My job search needs to start early in the morning to increase my chances of finding a job

Dress up real sharp
I need to dress professionally to create a positive first impression when applying for a job

Take an early bus downtown
I need to travel early to get to the city center and start my job search

I borrow your paper
I need to seek assistance from others to access newspapers that contain job listings

I read the want ads
I dedicate time to reading the job ads to find any opportunities that match my skills and qualifications

Take what they got
I am willing to take any suitable job offer regardless of the pay scale

'Cause I need a job real bad
Finding a job is an urgent need to help me improve my financial situation

I'm tired of bein' broke
My current financial status is depressing, and I need a job to improve it

Ain't got a dime
I have no money left to cater for my daily needs

Man, he's always callin'
My landlord frequently calls to demand prompt payment of rent

Pay my rent on time
I am under pressure to pay rent on time and avoid eviction from my house

So I've put on my hat
I am dressing well to appear presentable and professional in my job search

And my old cashmere coat
I may not have a new suit, but my old coat is in good condition and can be used for the interviews

If I don't get a paper
If I am unable to find a newspaper with job listings, my hopes of finding a job will be diminished

It won't be much hope
It will be so hard to find a job

I ain't got a friend
I lack friends or acquaintances to ask for financial help or recommendations for job opportunities

No one I can find
I am unable to locate someone who can be of help in finding a job

I can't even borrow the right time
I am so broke, and I do not even have enough money to borrow or own a watch, making it harder to arrive on time for interviews

Ain't got no money
My financial status is very low, and I cannot afford to pay for even basic needs

Can't get a dime
I am unable to secure any loans to help me get by, and my chances of finding a job are melting away

I can't even shame my own mind
I am ashamed and frustrated by my situation and lack of progress in securing employment

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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