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.
Have You Seen My Baby
Fats Domino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the avenue
You know she's drivin' me crazy
With the funny things she do
I've seen her with the milkman
Ridin' down the street
I said "please mister milkman
Send my baby home to me"
Hold on hold on hold on
You know it's been so long
Since she has been gone
Hold on hold on hold on
Seen her with a gypsy
Dancin' in the woods
She's always been unfaithful to me
she ain't never been no good
I said "please don't talk to strangers baby"
But she always do
She said, "I could talk to strangers if I want
'Cause I'm a stranger too"
Hold on hold on hold on
Hold on hold on hold on
You know it's been so long
Since she has been gone
Hold on hold on hold on
Hold on hold on ohh, hold on
Ohh hold on hold on yeah hold on
Mmmmm hmmm...hold on...
Fats Domino's song Have You Seen My Baby is a tale of a man desperately searching for his unfaithful and wandering partner. He asks if anyone has seen his baby on the avenue, noting that she's been driving him crazy with the funny things she does. He's seen her riding down the street with the milkman, he pleads with the milkman to send her home to him. He sings of the desperation he feels in her absence by repeating the words "hold on" and that it's been so long since she's been gone.
He later describes seeing her with a gypsy, dancing in the woods. The character of the song then warns her to not talk to strangers, but she continues to do so, citing that she's also a stranger. Once again, the song reprises with the lyrics "hold on" as the man continues in his distress.
Overall, the song's lyrics portray a poignant sadness and helplessness of a man who's being cheated on by his partner, who continually chooses to wander and communicate with others. The repetition of the phrase "hold on" emphasizes his longing and feelings of desperation - that he can't do anything but wait for her to return.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen my baby
The singer is asking if anyone has seen their lover.
On the avenue
The singer is providing additional information about where their lover may have been seen.
You know she's drivin' me crazy
The singer is expressing their frustration with their lover's behavior.
With the funny things she do
The artist is further describing their lover's quirky behavior.
I've seen her with the milkman
The artist is revealing that they have seen their lover with someone else.
Ridin' down the street
The singer is providing additional details about where they saw their lover.
I said "please mister milkman
The singer is making a request to the milkman to help them find their lover.
Send my baby home to me"
The artist is asking the milkman to bring their lover back to them.
Seen her with a gypsy
The artist is revealing that they have seen their lover with another person.
Dancin' in the woods
The artist is describing where they saw their lover with the gypsy.
She's always been unfaithful to me
The singer is expressing that their lover has been unfaithful in the past.
she ain't never been no good
The artist is further criticizing their lover's behavior.
I said "please don't talk to strangers baby"
The singer is making a request to their lover to not talk to strangers.
But she always do
The singer is revealing that their lover does not listen to their request.
She said, "I could talk to strangers if I want
The singer is quoting their lover's response to their request.
'Cause I'm a stranger too"
The artist is revealing their lover's justification for talking to strangers.
Hold on hold on hold on
The artist is urging themselves or someone else to be patient.
You know it's been so long
The singer is acknowledging that it has been a while since their lover has been around.
Since she has been gone
The singer is referring to their lover's absence.
Hold on hold on hold on
The artist repeats their urging to be patient.
Hold on hold on ohh, hold on
The artist continues to urge patience.
Ohh hold on hold on yeah hold on
The artist repeats their urging to hold on.
Mmmmm hmmm...hold on...
The singer continues to hum the phrase 'hold on' as a way to urge patience.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
willempiextra
The label says it's 2:59 long. This clip is 3:49. Was the single an edited version or a different take?
Fats-4-Ever
Various sources (Complete Reprise on Rhino a.o.) say that the single version lasts 3:49, so it is fair to say that the time listed on the 45 is false. It is not known to if an edited version exists.
willempiextra
I have a promotion copy of this single. It fades out just before the three minute mark. So, if that's the same take,..an edited version does exist. And the timing on that label is probably not false.
By the way: Rhino is famous for using different takes, and claiming they are the original ones.
Fats-4-Ever
willempiextra can you send me a copy? Please contact.