Classic Pop Icons

Fats Domino’s rock ‘n’ roll classic “Ain’t That A Shame” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Ain’t That A Shame” was released on single in the summer of 1955, backed with “La La” and also featured on Fats’ debut album “Carry on Rockin'” in November of that year.

“Ain’t That A Shame” was one of many classic collaborations between Fats Domino and Imperial A&R man Dave Bartholomew. The pair had achieved a string of hits on the R&B chart since they began working together on the single “The Fat Man” in 1949, but “Ain’t That A Shame” was the first to achieve crossover success on the pop chart. Many timeless collaborations would follow, including “I’m Walkin'” and “Blue Monday.”

The song employs what even then was a well worn stop-time structure for the verses, with Fats and the band punctuating each statement with a double blast of the ‘B flat’ chord. The chorus has a standard R&B rhythm pattern, with Fats’ trademark pounding piano style, and a highly catchy “Ain’t That A Shame” hook. There is also memorable saxophone work throughout and particularly on the instrumental break played by Herb Hardesty, who played on many of Fats’ biggest hits.

Domino’s brand of rock ‘n’ roll was probably closer to conventional R&B than the output of any of his rock ‘n’ roll contemporaries, and “Ain’t That A Shame” was no exception. Fats himself would say that he just continued to play what he’d always played in New Orleans. There was some interference though from Imperial, who speeded up the single by one step in an effort to give the song a little more drive and make Domino’s vocal more youthful and less laidback.

“Ain’t That A Shame” first came to prominence via Pat Boone’s cover, which is often regarded as a watered down rip-off of the original. Putting aside the musical merits of the cover, it also gave mainstream exposure to the original and raised Domino’s profile. The royalties from Boone’s hit record were also significant, leading Domino to joke that Boone bought him his gold ring.

It was hits like “Ain’t That A Shame” that ensured Fats Domino was among the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Bartholomew would join Fats in the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Fats Domino – “Ain’t That A Shame”

Authorship

“Ain’t That A Shame” was written by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew.

Recording date/location

“Ain’t That A Shame” was recorded in March, 1955, but sources differ on where, with some citing Cosimo Matassa’s Studio in New Orleans, LA, and others claiming that it was recorded in Hollywood during a break from a tour.

Musicians

The following musicians played on “Ain’t That A Shame”:

• Fats Domino – vocals, piano
• Herb Hardesty – tenor sax
• Wendell Duconge – tenor sax
• Walter Nelson – guitar
• Frank Fields – bass
• Cornelius Coleman – drums.

Chart performance

“Ain’t That A Shame” reached number 10 on Billboard’s pop chart and number one on the R&B chart.

Notable covers

Pat Boone – “Ain’t That A Shame”

Pat Boone was a fine ballad singer, but his instincts for rock ‘n’ roll were limited. His cover of “Ain’t That A Shame” is sung in an odd, overly formal fashion and the whole thing plods along with none of the natural verve of the original. Despite this, Boone had a number one hit on the Billboard pop chart.

Boone suggested that the title of his cover be changed to “Isn’t That A Shame,” but he was sensibly overruled.

John Lennon – “Ain’t That A Shame”

John Lennon claimed that “Ain’t That A Shame” was the first song he learned to play as a teenager, but he didn’t record it until 1974 as part of the sessions that would produce his 1975 “Rock ‘n’ Roll” album. Lennon had assembled a good band, with the keyboard work of Ken Ascher particularly notable on this track, but the whole thing might have benefited from being taken down a notch or two as Lennon’s vocal sounds a little strained.

There will be a new Song of the Week on February 13.

Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame” is available on numerous compilations, including “Fats Domino Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans.”

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