He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.
That Old Sweet Roll
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna find me a piece of the sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-ho
Listen, I've been down so low
That the bottom looked like up
Once I felt like second saves Was enough to fill my cup
Now I've offered all I have
But it ain't no way to live
Being taken by the ones who have
The least amount to give
Singing hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
Got to find me a piece of the sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho
I wanna tell you
Once I met the devil
He was mighty slick
Tempted me with worldly goods
Said I could have my pick
But when he laid the paper on me
And showed me where to sign
I said "Thank you very kindly
But I'm in too great a need of mine"
Singing hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi, oh
Got to find me a piece of that sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho Hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
Hi-de-hi-de-hi
Talking 'bout hi-de-hi-de-ho
"That Old Sweet Roll" is a song that presents a theme of hope and ambition despite past failures, detailing the singer's desire to find happiness and success. The song opens with the singer’s declaration to look for a "piece of the sky," which serves as a metaphor for their aspirations. To accomplish this, they plan to obtain “some of that old sweet roll.” The “sweet roll” implies a source of comfort and luxury that the singer hopes to acquire. The recurring chorus of "hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi" serves as a vocalization of this optimistic ambition.
The second verse describes the singer’s past hardships, including financial difficulty, feelings of insufficiency, and being taken advantage of. The message of this verse is that despite having little to offer, others have taken advantage of the singer. Nevertheless, the singer refuses to be knocked down and will continue to pursue his dreams. The third verse tells of a meeting with “the devil” who promises the singer wealth and success in exchange for his soul, yet the singer defies temptation and chooses to follow his own path, determined to find his own way to success.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
Starting off with a cheerful tone, expressing happiness.
Gonna find me a piece of the sky
Going to reach for the sky, aiming for the best.
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Trying to get a piece of what life has to offer.
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-ho
Repeating a happy catchphrase.
Listen, I've been down so low
Acknowledging having gone through difficult times.
That the bottom looked like up
Reaching rock bottom where things couldn't get any worse.
Once I felt like second saves
Thinking minimal progress was enough to feel content.
Was enough to fill my cup
Having little expectations in life.
Now I've offered all I have
Having given everything but still wanting more.
But it ain't no way to live
Realizing that this lifestyle is not sustainable.
Being taken by the ones who have
Being exploited by those with more power and resources.
The least amount to give
Those with less are often stingier than those with more.
I wanna tell you
Starting a new topic or story.
Once I met the devil
Recalling a moment when faced with temptation.
He was mighty slick
The devil was manipulative and sly.
Tempted me with worldly goods
Luring the artist with material possessions.
Said I could have my pick
Making an offer which seems too good to be true.
But when he laid the paper on me
Revealing the consequences of accepting the offer.
And showed me where to sign
Making it clear what the singer would be agreeing to.
I said "Thank you very kindly
Politely declining the offer.
But I'm in too great a need of mine"
Refusing because of a strong personal need or desire.
Oh yeah
Expressing agreement or excitement.
Talking 'bout hi-de-hi-de-ho
Recapping the catchphrase, ending the song on a positive note.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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