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.

The Big Beat
Fats Domino Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat,
Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat,
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
You got to move when you hear this beat

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat
Big beay keeps you rockin' in your seat,
Ol' grandpa just make it 80 years old

Maim and scream, puff and rock'n roll.

The big beat get in your soul
Make you jump, and make you roll.
Ol' grandpa just make it 80 years old.
Peg-leg Joe just throw his crutches away.

Big beat makes you act this way.
see'mon gang lets swing the swing
The big beat makes you act this queer
Peg-leg Joe just throw his crutches away.

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat,
Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat,
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
You got to move when you hear this beat

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat

Overall Meaning

Fats Domino's "The Big Beat" is a classic rock and roll song that celebrates the power of music to energize and excite listeners. The repeated refrain, "Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat," captures the infectious rhythm of the song and the way it invites people to let loose and move their bodies.

The verse about "Ol' grandpa just make it 80 years old" adds a fun and humorous touch, as the elderly man is described as getting caught up in the music and dancing along with the younger crowd. The lyrics also mention "Peg-leg Joe," a character who throws away his crutches and joins in the revelry, suggesting that the big beat is so compelling that even those with physical limitations can't resist it.

Overall, "The Big Beat" is a rousing anthem to the joy and energy of rock and roll, highlighting its ability to bring people together and make them feel alive.

Line by Line Meaning

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat
The contagious rhythm of the music keeps you swaying in your chair without realizing it.

Big beat keeps you rockin' in your seat
The beat is so strong that it compels you to stay seated and groove along with the music.

Clap your hands and stomp your feet
The upbeat tempo is so infectious that you can't help but get into it by clapping and stomping your feet along with the music.

You got to move when you hear this beat
The music invokes a sense of energy and urgency within you, compelling you to start dancing immediately.

Ol' grandpa just make it 80 years old
Even at the ripe old age of 80, people still enjoy dancing to this kind of music.

Maim and scream, puff and rock'n roll.
The music is so invigorating that it makes you want to let loose and just have a good time by jumping, shouting, and dancing.

The big beat get in your soul
The rhythm of the music resonates with you so deeply that it almost feels like it's a part of your soul.

Make you jump, and make you roll.
The music is so infectious that you feel like jumping around and dancing until the very last note.

Peg-leg Joe just throw his crutches away.
The music is so powerful that even someone with a physical disability can't resist getting out of their chair and moving to the beat.

Big beat makes you act this way.
The music invokes such a strong emotional response that you can't help but let it influence your behavior and movements.

See'mon gang lets swing the swing
Let's all come together and dance to the music because it's impossible to resist the beat.

The big beat makes you act this queer
The rhythm of the music makes you feel a little bit strange, almost like you're in a trance or under a spell.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS