Song Spotlight: “Blue Monday”
- Mood: Hopeful, Reluctant
- Themes: Days of the Week, Rhythm & Blues
- Tempo: Walking speed, relaxed
- Genre/Style: Rhythm & Blues
Sometimes just making it through the week is a big achievement. The week’s end may bring with it a chance to get some well deserved rest. In this spotlight we explore “Blue Monday,” as performed by Fats Domino, a song that describes a wide array of feelings for each day of the week. Try out some of the ideas for ways to use and share this R&B tune with others.
“Blue Monday” was written by Dave Bartholomew and was originally recorded in 1953 by Smiley Lewis. “Blue Monday” is a rhythm and blues song. Rhythm and blues combined elements from styles like jazz, blues, and gospel. The instruments featured are piano, one or two guitars, bass, drums, and saxophones. Though the first record of this song was sung by Smiley Lewis, Fats Domino popularized this tune. “Blue Monday” became one of the earliest rhythm and blues songs to make the Billboard magazine pop music chart, peaking at number five and reaching number one on the R&B Best Seller’s Chart.
Here are some of the lyrics:
Blue Monday, how I hate blue Monday
Got me workin’ like a dog all day
Here comes Tuesday, oh hard Tuesday
I’m so tired, I’ve got no time to play…
Oh Saturday morning
All my tired has gone away
Me and my honey, we got some money
And were out on the town play
Sunday morning my head is bad
But it’s worth all the times I had
But I’ve got to go and get some rest
For Monday is a mess!
This is a great song to share within a group and would go well with a collection of songs about days of the week or with other Rhythm & Blues songs. It can be used as a transition into reminiscence, an opportunity for musical engagement, movement and more!
Try This:
Theme: This song would fit well into a Rhythm & Blues or Days of the Week theme. Other complementary songs may include “Monday, Monday,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “Stormy Monday.”
Encourage the group to reminisce by sharing their work experience and how they felt about Mondays.
Discuss: Talk about ways to have fun during the week, instead of only relaxing on the weekend. Discuss what makes a day a blue one. Ask, what are ways to make a difficult week better or easier?
Musical Engagement: Divide the group into a drum side and shaker side, then conduct the group to play one group at a time to create “boom-chuck” on the “Saturday Morning” verse in the song. Have everyone play together.
Movement: You can do rhythmic movement to this song, like kicking or a rhythmic arm movement.
What is your favorite Rhythm & Blues or week day song? Please leave your comments below!