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.

My Old Friends
Fats Domino Lyrics

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Well here's a big surprise
Yes close your eyes
Yes you're here to say hello
Yes its me don't you know
Don't you know
I love to play that down home sound
When you're around
I'm glad to see your face' again

My old friends my old friends
So let me shake your hands
Now I'm back again
So what I want to do
Sing my way right back to you

So let me shake your hands
Now I'm back again
So what I want to do
Sing my way right back to you
I love to play that hometown sound
When you're around
I'm glad to see your face again

My old friends my old friends
My old friend I'm back again

Overall Meaning

The song "My Old Friends" by Fats Domino is an upbeat and joyful tribute to reuniting with old friends. The first lines "Well here's a big surprise, Yes close your eyes, Yes you're here to say hello" indicate the surprise of the reunion and the excitement felt by the singer. The line "Don't you know, I love to play that down home sound when you're around" not only acknowledges the friend's love for Fats Domino's music but also suggests that the presence of the friend inspires his musical creativity.

The repeated chorus of "My old friends my old friends" highlights the importance and nostalgia of connecting with people from the past. The lines "So let me shake your hands, Now I'm back again" emphasize the singer's desire to physically connect with his old friends and the excitement of coming back into their lives. The lines "So what I want to do, Sing my way right back to you" suggest that Fats Domino's way of expressing his love and appreciation for his old friends is through his music.

Overall, the song celebrates the joy and sentimental value of renewing old friendships and appreciating the bonds that have stood the test of time. It is a testament to the universality and importance of friendship as well as the power of music to evoke emotions and memories.

Line by Line Meaning

Well here's a big surprise
Hello, it's me, your old friend! You weren't expecting to see me again, were you?

Yes close your eyes
Go ahead and close your eyes, because when you open them I'll still be here and it will feel like old times.

Yes you're here to say hello
You've come to greet me, and I'm happy to see you too.

Yes its me don't you know
In case you weren't sure, it's really me, your old friend.

Don't you know
I hope you recognize me, because I've missed you since we last met.

I love to play that down home sound
When we're together, I enjoy playing the type of music that reminds us of our roots and where we come from.

When you're around
Being in your company makes me happy, and it's more enjoyable to play music when you're here.

I'm glad to see your face' again
It's been too long since I saw you last, and I'm happy to be reunited with my old friend.

My old friends my old friends
It feels good to be in the company of people who have known me for a long time and who I consider to be true friends.

So let me shake your hands
As a gesture of welcome and friendship, I would like to shake your hands upon our reunion.

Now I'm back again
I may have been gone for a while, but now I'm back and ready to catch up with you.

So what I want to do
I have a desire to do something specific, and that's to sing for you.

Sing my way right back to you
I plan to sing songs that bring us closer together and remind us of the good times we've shared.

My old friend I'm back again
Although time has passed, our friendship remains strong and unchanging, and I'm happy to be back in your presence once more.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERNARD, JR. DE CESARE, PASQUALE ZOMPA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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