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.
I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Today
Fats Domino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
Then I won't want you
Everything's gonna go my way
And I won't need nobody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
You can cry, cry, cry
You will si-i-i-igh
You will wonder why I don't look at you
When I go rolling by
I'm gonna be a wheel someday
I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
Then I won't want you
I'm gonna be a wheel one day
I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
Then I won't want you
Everything's gonna go my way
And I won't need nobody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
Then I won't want you
You will cry, cry, cry
You will si-i-i-gh
You be wondrin' why I don't look at you
When I go rolling by
I'm gonna be a wheel someday
I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
Then I won't want you
The lyrics to Fats Domino’s classic hit, “I’m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday” speak to aspirations of greatness and the potential for transformation. The title phrase, “I’m gonna be a wheel someday” is actually slang for achieving great success, particularly in the music industry. Fats Domino is declaring his determination to make it big and become somebody. He envisions himself as a cool, confident, and attractive “real gone cat” who will no longer need the love and attention of his current partner. He sees success as a path to independence and freedom, imagining that everything will go his way and he won’t need anyone else to achieve his goals.
Domino’s lyrics are filled with bravado and confidence, suggesting a willingness to leave behind anyone or anything that holds him back. He predicts his ex’s sorrow when he becomes a star, implying that she’ll regret not sticking with him through thick and thin. The repeated refrain of “I won’t want you” highlights his belief that he will no longer need her love or support once he has achieved his dreams. Overall, this song is a testament to the power of ambition and the transformative nature of success.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna be a wheel someday
Someday I'll become big and important in life.
I'm gonna be somebody
I'll be famous and successful, recognized by many.
I'm gonna be a real gone cat
I'll be cool, slick, and confident in my demeanor.
Then I won't want you
Once I achieve all the above, I won't need you by my side.
Everything's gonna go my way
All the circumstances and opportunities in life will favor me completely.
And I won't need nobody
I won't require anyone else's support or help to succeed.
You can cry, cry, cry
You can sob and weep as much as you want.
You will si-i-i-igh
You'll let out long, deep sighs of despair over losing me.
You will wonder why I don't look at you
You'll be puzzled why I don't give you attention anymore.
When I go rolling by
When I pass you by in my luxurious car or prestigious position.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, ANTOINE DOMINO, ROY HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryjones8726
I love the saxophones in his recordings. Sometimes he even has five of them in the band.
@rosseganjr9402
the movie return to Macon county this song and the '57 Chevy. was cool!
@Quiksilversurf311
One of my favorite movies! I watch it on Blu-ray all the time.
@Sj27m
I've never seen anyone with more talent than Fats and that whole band.
Pure Class.
@SUGAR_XYLER
🎄 💃🕺
@SUGAR_XYLER
I remember dancing to this song on Xmas Eve 69 as a kid 🎄💃🕺
@sauquoit13456
Dave Bartholomew*, one of the architects of rock and roll, passed away at the age of 100 on June 23rd, 2019...
He partnered with Fats Domino on early rock classics including co-writing “Ain’t That a Shame.” The New Orleans trumpeter, band leader, producer, songwriter, and arranger was involved in many iconic songs including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Blueberry Hill,” “I’m Walking,” and “I Hear You Knocking”...
Bartholomew was band leader for one of New Orleans premier R&B bands when he became an A&R man for Imperial Records. At Imperial, he brought in Fats Domino, working with him on combining R&B with big band, jazz, and country to create early rock and roll. Bartholomew was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991...
May he R.I.P.
* Mr. Bartholomew was a co-composer of "I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday"...
@Quiksilversurf311
All I think about when I hear this song is the movie “Return To Macon County” I have it on Blu-ray and it plays at the title screen and the beginning of the movie. One of my favorite films!
@laurenurban3942
The Man….the Legend….Fats Domino!
@glenningram569
Not many versions of this song are nearly as good as the original. God bless the family of Fats Domino.