She is acknowledged as one of the most important blues artists of her generation.
Webster was initially best known as a session musician behind Louisiana musicians on the Excello and Goldband record labels, such as Lightnin' Slim and Lonesome Sundown. She also played piano with Otis Redding in the 1960s, but after his death, went into semi-retirement. During her career, she was duet partner to many stars, among them B. B. King, Robert Cray and Rockin' Sidney. Her long professional relationship with the Alligator Records label is also worthy of noting.
In the 1980s, she was repeatedly booked for European tours and recorded albums for the German record label, Ornament Records. She cut You Know That's Right with the band Hot Links, and the album that established her in the United States; The Swamp Boogie Queen with guest spots by Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray. She performed at both the San Francisco Blues Festival and Long Beach Blues Festival.
Webster suffered a stroke in 1993 while touring Greece and returned to performing the following year. She died from heart failure in League City, Texas, in September 1999.
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa
Katie Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
I keep singing them sad sad songs, y'all
Sad songs is all I know
I keep singing them sad sad songs, y'all
Sad songs is all I know
Anybody can sing it any old time
I touches your heart
Puts you in a groove
And when you sing this song
It'll make your whole body move
It goes -
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Your turn -
My turn
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Your turn now -
All my life I've been singin' sad songs
Tryin' to get my message to you, honey
But that's the only song, y'all
I can sing
And when you get through singin'
My message will be to you
It goes -
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Your turn now
It's a lovely song, y'all
Sweet music, honey
It's just a line, oh but
It tells a story, baby
You got to get the message
A stone message, honey
A lovely line, baby
I'm worried in mind, watch me
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Your turn -
Everybody's turn, everybody -
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
One more time
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Worried in mind, y'all...
The song "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa" by Katie Webster portrays a musician who can only sing sad songs as a way of expressing himself. Despite the fact that he sings sad songs, the lyrics of the song reveal that it is a beautiful song with a sweet melody that can touch anyone's heart and get them into a groove. The singer acknowledges that all his life he has been attempting to communicate with his audience through his music, but unfortunately, he has not been able to do so successfully. Therefore, the only way to convey his message is through sad songs.
The recurring "fa-fa-fa-fa-fa" throughout the song is a representation of the singer's message. The line is simple, yet it carries a deep meaning which tells a story that everyone can relate to. The singer is worried that people might not get the message he's trying to convey, but he still hopes that they will appreciate his music.
Overall, the song is not just about singing sad songs; it's about the power of music to convey emotions and messages that cannot be communicated through words. The lyrics also highlight the importance of appreciating artists who use their talents to provide a different perspective on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
Repetitive sound used to introduce the song
I keep singing them sad sad songs, y'all
All the songs I sing are sad
Sad songs is all I know
I cannot sing anything but sad songs
It has a sweet melody tonight
The song has a pleasant tune today
Anybody can sing it any old time
Anyone can sing this song anytime
I touches your heart
This song can touch your emotions
Puts you in a groove
This song can get you into a rhythm
And when you sing this song
When you sing this song
It'll make your whole body move
It can make your body sway
Your turn -
Asking the listener to sing with the singer
My turn
The singer's turn to sing
All my life I've been singin' sad songs
Sad songs are the only ones I've sung my whole life
Tryin' to get my message to you, honey
Trying to communicate something to you with these sad songs
But that's the only song, y'all
Sad songs are the only ones I can sing
And when you get through singin'
And when you finish singing
My message will be to you
My message will reach you
It's a lovely song, y'all
It's a beautiful song
Sweet music, honey
The music is pleasant
It's just a line, oh but
It's a simple song, but
It tells a story, baby
It conveys a message
You got to get the message
You need to understand the message
A stone message, honey
A message that's not easily missed
A lovely line, baby
A poetic phrase
I'm worried in mind, watch me
I am anxious, and you can observe it
Everybody's turn, everybody -
Asking everyone to join in and sing
One more time
Let's sing it again
Worried in mind, y'all...
I'm still feeling anxious
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: OTIS REDDING, STEVE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind