In 1956, Fats Domino released “Ain’t That a Shame,” a song that defied the expectations of the time. The song rose to the top of the US Billboard R&B charts and reached the tenth spot on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Fats Domino’s first hit song that was not recorded in New Orleans, where the singer lived.
The song was recorded in a Hollywood studio on March 15, 1955, when Fats Domino was on tour in Los Angeles. Imperial Records, the label he was signed to, had the engineers compress Fats’ vocals and speed up the song slightly to make it sound less bluesy and give it more mainstream appeal. This made it more difficult for other artists to cover the music, but it ultimately paid off.
Like several other songs previously heard exclusively in black bars or nightclubs, “Ain’t That a Shame” was covered by the crooning Pat Boone. Boone, however, was concerned about how educated, upper-class whites would respond to the title. He originally wanted it changed to “Isn’t That a Shame,” but the producers realized the original title would sell better and kept it.
This was a favorite songwriting trick of Fats Domino’s, as he looked for a good, simple section to start a song. And even though songs like this were often attached to melancholy lyrics, it was the sound that Fats Domino felt was important. If he could make it sound happy, it would evoke pleasant memories. This is a heartache song about a breakup that was the other partner’s fault. Fats Domino wrote it with Dave Bartholomew, who worked on most of Domino’s hits.
In 1969, Elvis Presley said, “I hate being called the king of rock and roll. My friend Fats Domino is the king of rock and roll.” And with “Ain’t That a Shame,” Fats Domino truly earned that title.
The year 1956 was a fascinating time in American culture. A gallon of milk costs 97 cents, a dozen eggs cost 59 cents, and a gallon of gas costs 22 cents. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in office, and Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his career.
Despite the challenges of the time, Fats Domino’s performance of “Ain’t That a Shame” was unforgettable. The audience was fully engaged, and their positive reactions were evident in their applause. The song’s catchy melody and Fats Domino’s charisma made it an instant classic, and it is still loved by many today.
Watching Fats Domino perform “Ain’t That a Shame” is a trip down memory lane, a reminder of a time when music was simple and full of heart. It is a song that evokes feelings of happiness and nostalgia. Yet, even after all these years, it still sounds as fresh as it did back then.
We encourage you to watch Fats Domino’s performance of “Ain’t That a Shame” and share it with your friends because this song deserves to be remembered. Fats Domino was a true legend and will always be remembered for his contributions to American music.
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