This rocked-up cover of Fats Domino’s 1955 classic became one of Cheap Trick’s most popular live songs, played at just about every show. They even included it in their set when they entered the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2016.
Cheap Trick never recorded a studio version of this song, but they didn’t have to: the live version on their 1978 album At Budokan, recorded during a show at the Budokan temple in Tokyo, has loads of energy, with the crowd going absolutely nuts. This was a classic “big in Japan” moment, as Cheap Trick was struggling to break through in America but found an adoring audience in the Orient. Their performance of “I Want You To Want Me,” originally released in 1977, was released as a single and broke the band globally. “Ain’t That A Shame” was released as the follow-up single and did pretty well, climbing to #35 in the US.
Cheap Trick wasn’t the first to take a crack at “Ain’t That A Shame.” Pat Boone had a #1 hit with his version in 1955, and The Four Seasons took it to #22 in 1963. But it was John Lennon’s 1975 cover (on his album Rock ‘n’ Roll) that got Cheap Trick’s attention and convinced them to give it a try.
Cheap Trick recorded another ’50s classic, “Don’t Be Cruel,” in 1988 as the follow-up to their #1 hit “The Flame.” Their version went to #4 in America and introduced the song to a new audience.
You made me cry when you said good-bye
Ain’t that a shame…my tears fall like rain
Ain’t that a shame…you’re the one to blame
You broke my heart, now we’re apart
Ain’t that a shame…my tears fall like rain
Ain’t that a shame…you’re the one to blame
Ah, yes you are
Farewell, good-bye, although I’ll cry
Ain’t that a shame…my tears fall like rain
Ain’t that a shame…you’re the one to blame
Ah!
You made me cry when you said good-bye
Ain’t that a shame…my tears fall like rain
Ain’t that a shame…you’re the one to blame
