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 Fat Man's Hop
Fats Domino Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They call, they call me the fat man
'Cause I weight two hundred pounds
All the girls they love me
'Cause I know my way around

I was standin', I was standin' on the corner
Of Rampart and Canal
I was watchin', watchin'

Watchin' those people gather

Wah wah wah, wah wah
Wah wah waah, wah wah wah
Wah wah waah, wah wah wah
Wah wah wah

Wah waaa-ah wah
Wah wah wah, wah wah wah
Wah wah wah, wah wah wah
Wah wah wah

I'm goin', I'm goin' goin' away
And I'm goin', goin' to stay

'Cause we be in this fast life
Can't stand this, goin' away

Overall Meaning

The Fat Man's Hop by Fats Domino is a classic R&B tune that radiates with energy and relatability. It speaks of the singer's weight and how it has earned him his nickname "the fat man." He weighs two hundred pounds and is adored by all the ladies in town because he knows his way around. In the first two lines, Fats Domino cleverly sets up the second part of the stanza, where he speaks about his street smarts, something that has nothing to do with his physical traits. Despite being called the fat man because of his size, he exudes confidence that draws the ladies to him.

The next part of the song speaks of him standing at the corner of Rampart and Canal, watching people gather. The repetitive backing music with the wah-wah in the background embodies a bustling and lively city with the singer as a witness to all of it. The chorus speaks of him going away, but then he decides to stay because he cannot get enough of the fast life. In all, the lyrics of the song capture a sense of excitement and pleasure that is conveyed through the singer's performance and delivery.

Line by Line Meaning

They call, they call me the fat man
I'm known by the nickname 'the fat man'

'Cause I weight two hundred pounds
My weight is two hundred pounds

All the girls they love me
I'm adored by many girls

'Cause I know my way around
I'm experienced and know what I'm doing

I was standin', I was standin' on the corner
I was standing on the street corner

Of Rampart and Canal
The specific street corner I was standing on

I was watchin', watchin'
I was observing

Watchin' those people gather
I was watching people come together

Wah wah wah, wah wah
Instrumental sound effect

Wah wah waah, wah wah wah
Instrumental sound effect

Wah wah wah
Instrumental sound effect