I'm Walking | Music Therapy Application for Adults

This application is a fun way for adults with special needs or older adults to get active and try out different body movements together. The lyrics are set up perfectly to allow for various body movements to be added into the song, making it the ideal song for your next body movement application!

Possible Goals Addressed:

  • Positive social interaction
  • Gross motor movement
  • Coordination
  • Increase duration of body movement

Music Used:

Domino, F. & Bartholomew, D. (1957). I’m Walkin’. [recorded by Fats Domino] On Here Stands Fats Domino [LP]. Imperial Records.

Materials needed:
None (instruments may be added to motivate additional movement if desired)

Application:
The music therapist will sing the song “I’m Walkin'” by Fats Domino. The music therapist will then prompt clients to engage in various body percussion actions. The music therapist will insert the new action into the lyrics (i.e. “I’m [clapping] yes indeed…). For an added challenge, the music therapist can ask clients to think of actions of their own and change the lyrics to [I’m moving like [client’s name].

Lyrics

*Lyrics may be adapted from “for you pretty baby I’ll even die” to “For you, I’ll even cry” depending on the context of the group.

I’m walkin’, yes indeed and I’m talkin’
About you and me, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me, yeah-yeah
I’m lonely as I can be, I’m waitin’
For your company, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me
What you gonna do when the well runs dry?
You gonna run away and hide
I’m gonna run right by your side
For you pretty baby I’ll even die
I’m walkin’, yes indeed and I’m talkin’
About you and me, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me

I’m walkin’, yes indeed and I’m talkin’
About you and me, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me, mm-mm
I’m lonely as I can be, I’m waitin’
For your company, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me
What you gonna do when the well runs dry?
You’re gonna sit right down and cry
What you gonna do when I say bye-bye
All you gonna do is dry your eye
I’m walkin’, yes indeed and I’m talkin’
About you and me, I’m hopin’
That you’ll come back to me