Fats Domino (Antoine Dominique Domino Jr.) was a one-of-a-kind artist. He wasn’t wild or flashy like his peers but he was just good or better. When I think of the fifties…this is just me personally…I think of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Everly Brothers, Elvis, and last but not least… Fats Domino. Vastly different styles but all are great.
Domino was the youngest of eight children in a musical family, he spoke Creole French before learning English. At age 7 his brother-in-law taught him how to play the piano. By the time he was 10, he was already performing as a singer and pianist.
My Blue Heaven was released in 1956. It peaked at #19 on the Billboard Charts, #5 on the R&B Charts.
My Blue Heaven was written by Walter Donaldson and George A. Whiting in 1924. The lyrics were written by George Whiting and the music was composed by Walter Donaldson. The music was published by Leo Feist Inc. of New York, New York in 1927. The song was used in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1927.
Gene Austin released this song in 1928. It charted at #1 including one million sales of sheet music. This has been covered by the Smashing Pumpkins, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Al Jolson, and Dolly Parton to name a few.
There are two different movies called My Blue Heaven, and both used this song. The first was a 1950 musical where it was performed by the stars, Betty Grable and Dan Dailey. The second was a 1990 comedy starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis. Fats Domino’s version was the theme song in that one.
My Blue Heaven
Day is ending
Birds are wending
Back to the shelter of
Each little nest they love
Nightshades falling
Lovebirds calling
What makes the world go round?
Nothing but love
When Whip-poor-wills call
And ev’ning is nigh
I hurry to
My blue heaven
I turn to the right
A little white light
Will lead you to
My blue heaven
You’ll see a smiling face,
A fireplace,
A cozy room
A little nest
That’s nestled where
The roses bloom
Just Mollie and me
And baby makes three;
We’re happy in
My blue heaven
doo doo doo doo doo
da da da da da
You’ll see a smiling face
A fireplace,
A cozy room
A little nest that’s nestled where the roses bloom
Just Mollie and me
And baby makes three;
We’re happy in
My blue heaven
We’re happy in my blue heaven
This song always reminds me of my grandfather. Thanks for the memory.
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That is a high compliment…thanks for commenting Maggie.
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🙂
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He had the best hits of the 50s (and early 60s really) other than maybe Elvis. That movie with Steve Martin was hilarious, wasn’t it? He was like in the witness protection program or something. This isn’t my favorite song by Fats Domino though cuz I like Blueberry Hill, Ain’t That a Shame, Walking to New Orleans, and I’m Walking better, but this would probably be next after those.
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That is me also on his songs…I’ve posted all the ones you have mentioned…I’m Walking is such a great song as well as the rest.
Yea I liked that movie a lot…I’m a Martin fan.
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And don’t forget Jambalaya
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Yea and he also did a great version of Lady Madonna.
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It’s amazing how Lady Madonna sounds like it could have been one of his own songs. It’s so perfect for him. You almost think that his came first and then the Beatles covered it. Haha!
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Yes! I’ve been saying that also. He also covered Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey and it was good…but not Lady Madonna good…it was so natural for him…more for him than the Beatles in a way.
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I didn’t know that one but it’s pretty catchy, especially for that era. A song really has something going for it when Smashing Pumpkins and Dolly Parton both feel like recording it!
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Yea that was surprising…I never heard their versions.
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Pumpkins and Dolly- Talk about diverse talents finding a song they can both do.
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He really had a way to make songs his own. Most people I think would point to this version as they would for Blueberry Hill. He had his way…yes indeed!
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Seen Fats back in 86. Left the show feeling pretty good. He had that effect on a person. For kicks he belly bucked his piano around the stage. That was funny. Big shit eating grin on his face.
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I so wish I could have seen him. I didn’t to see any of the 50s greats.
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Im a little a head in the age department so i was lucky there.
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Good tune!
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Nice tune. Don’t think I had heard it before. I mostly know Fats Domino’s bigger hits like “Blueberry Hill”, “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Walking to New Orleans” – love all of them! Can’t get enough of his rolling piano sound!
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Yea…like I told someone else…I love his cover of Lady Madonna…it’s built for him.
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Side note, they just named the street he lived on here in New Orleans after him.
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That is so awesome. He never reached Elvis heights but he was every bit as good…and a much greater musician.
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One of my favorite songs by him
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Yea I like this one. Happy Thanksgiving Keith! Have a wonderful one with your family!
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This has been an earworm ever since I heard it on your page. I seem to recall an episode of MASH where Loretta Swit sang this and Gary Burghoff (who was an excellent drummer who was part of Lynda Carter’s backup band early in her career) played drums. I think Alan Alda was singing along…
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I had forgotten about the MASH episode…it was with Wayne Rodgers…I remember that. I remember Burghoff playing some cool jazz drumming on one or two episodes. I didn’t know about Lynda Carters backup band though.
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