Listening

Guide 7-2_2b.

I'm Walkin' as recorded by Fats Domino (1956)

Features:
Beat subdivisions are uneven, in a shuffle beat pattern.

The backbeat that was introduced by hand claps continues to be clapped but is also
supported by drums once the vocals begin.

Through each A period, the bass repeats a two-bar melodic pattern (in octaves with
the guitar).

The instrumental section features a growl-toned tenor saxophone solo improvised
around the melody of the vocal line.
Tempo:
The tempo is approximately 224 beats per minute, with four beats in each bar.

Form:
A four-bar introduction alternates drum thumps on beats one and three with a
hand-clapped backbeat.

The musical form is a standard pop song form (AABA) in which each A and B period
is eight bars long. After a full AABA section with lyrics, an instrumental section
follows the same AABA format, and this is followed by another AABA section with
lyrics. The ending begins another repetition of the form, but fades out during the
second A.

Lyrics:
Walking is symbolic of the singer's attempt to get his girl back.