Fatou is the debut album from Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara. Uncut placed the album at number 34 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011",The Sunday Times named it number 1 world music album in the 2011 end of year polls and WMCE voted it 2011 album of the year.
The album was recorded following a successful acting career and tours as a backing singer with Diawara's mentor Oumou Sangaré, who brought her to the attention of World Circuit Records and to whom the song, "Makoun Oumou" is dedicated. Sung in the Malian language Wassoulou and backing herself on guitar, Diawara explores themes of war, abandonment of children and female circumcision (Boloko) supported by contributions from West African virtuosi Tony Allen (drums) and Toumani Diabaté (kora) as well as Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.
R. Crowell - Jolly Cheeks Music - BMI
I looked for trouble and I found it son,
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun.
I'd try to run but I don't think I can,
You make one move and you're a dead man, friend.
Ain't livin' long like this,
Can't live at all like this, can I baby?
He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back,
Then left me freezin' on a steel rail rack.
Can't sleep at all in the jailhouse baby,
Ain't livin' long like this.
Grew up in Houston on the wayside drive,
Son of a car hop in some all nite dive.
Dad drove a stock car to an early death,
All I remember was a drunk man's breathe.
Ain't livin' long like this,
Can't live at all like this, can I baby?
We know the story how the wheel goes 'round,
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown,
They got 'em all in the jailhouse baby.
Ain't livin' long like this,
Can't live at all like this, can I baby? Ah take it!
{Erik - Solo}
I live for Angel, she's a road house queen,
Makes Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee.
I want to love her but I don't know how,
I'm at the bottom of a jailhouse now.
Ain't livin' long like this,
Can't live at all like this, can I baby?
You know the story 'bout the jailhouse rock,
Go on and do it, but just don't get caught.
They got 'em all in the jailhouse baby.
Oh, ain't livin' long like this.
Oh no!