Lang was born Salvatore Massaro, the son of an Italian-American instrument maker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At first, he took violin lessons for 11 years. In school he became friends with Joe Venuti, with whom he would work for much of his career. He was playing professionally by about 1918, playing violin, banjo, and guitar. He worked with various bands in the USA's north-east, worked in London (late 1924 to early 1925), then settled in New York City.
He played with the bands of Venuti, Adrian Rollini, Roger Wolfe Kahn and Jean Goldkette in addition to doing a large amount of freelance radio and recording work.
In 1929 he joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, and can be seen and heard in the movie The King of Jazz.
When Bing Crosby left Whiteman, Lang went with Bing as his accompanist and can be seen with him in the 1932 movie Big Broadcast.
Lang also played under the pseudonym Blind Willie Dunn on a number of blues records with Lonnie Johnson.
Eddie Lang died from a sudden hemorrhage following a tonsillectomy in New York City.
Kitchen Man
Eddie Lang Lyrics
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Servants by the score
Footmen at each door
Butlers and maids galore
But one day Sam, her kitchen man
Gave in his notice, he's through
She cried, "Oh Sam, don't go
I love his cabbage gravy, his hash
Crazy 'bout his succotash
I can't do without my kitchen man
Wild about his turnip top
Like the way he warms my chop
I can't do without my kitchen man
Anybody else can leave
And I would only laugh
But he means too much to me
And you ain't heard the half
Oh, his jelly roll is so nice and hot
Never fails to touch the spot
I can't do without my kitchen man
His frankfurters are oh so sweet
How I like his sausage meat
I can't do without my kitchen man
Oh, how that boy can open clam
No one else is can touch my ham
I can't do without my kitchen man
When I eat his doughnuts
All I leave is the hole
Any time he wants to
Why, he can use my sugar bowl
Oh, his baloney's really worth a try
Never fails to satisfy
I can't do without my kitchen man
The lyrics of Eddie Lang's song "Kitchen Man" narrate the story of Madam Buff, a wealthy woman with a luxurious household filled with numerous servants, including footmen, butlers, and maids. However, the focus of the song is on Sam, the kitchen man, who decides to quit his job. Madam Buff is devastated by his resignation and pleads for him to stay, expressing her deep attachment and appreciation for his culinary skills.
Throughout the lyrics, Madam Buff's love for Sam's cooking is emphasized. She mentions his cabbage gravy, hash, and succotash, alluding to the delicious dishes he prepares that she adores. These lines convey Madam Buff's genuine fondness for Sam's cooking, as it has become an essential part of her life.
The next stanza continues to highlight Madam Buff's infatuation with Sam's culinary expertise. She expresses her love for his turnip tops and the way he prepares her chop. This further emphasizes her deep connection to Sam and how his cooking has become an integral part of her life.
Madam Buff's devotion to Sam is emphasized as she asserts that anyone else leaving her household would not bother her, but his departure would deeply grieve her. This showcases the unique and special bond that she shares with her kitchen man, suggesting that it goes beyond the typical employer-employee relationship.
The fourth and final stanza continues to extol Sam's culinary talents. Madam Buff expresses her delight in his jelly roll, frankfurters, and sausage meat. These lines convey her immense pleasure in eating the food he prepares. She also playfully mentions how Sam's skills extend beyond cooking, as he can expertly handle clams and hams, further accentuating his value in her life.
The song concludes with Madam Buff presenting a humorous metaphor, stating that when she eats Sam's donuts, all she leaves behind is the hole, suggesting her complete enjoyment and satisfaction. She ends by affirming that she simply cannot do without her kitchen man, emphasizing the indispensability of Sam's presence in her life.
Overall, "Kitchen Man" portrays the strong emotional connection between Madam Buff and Sam, demonstrating the profound impact that his culinary skills have on her. The lyrics eloquently communicate Madam Buff's appreciation, admiration, and reliance on Sam's cooking, emphasizing the significant role he plays in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Madam Buff's was quite deluxe
Madam Buff's house was very luxurious
Servants by the score
There were many servants
Footmen at each door
Footmen were stationed at every entrance
Butlers and maids galore
There were numerous butlers and maids
But one day Sam, her kitchen man
But on a certain day, Sam, the cook, who worked in her kitchen
Gave in his notice, he's through
Resigned and stated that he's quitting his job
She cried, "Oh Sam, don't go
She pleaded, "Oh Sam, please don't leave
It'll grieve me if you do"
It will sadden me greatly if you do"
I love his cabbage gravy, his hash
I adore his cabbage gravy and his hash
Crazy 'bout his succotash
I'm crazy about his succotash
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
Wild about his turnip top
I am enthusiastic about his turnip top
Like the way he warms my chop
I appreciate the way he heats my chop
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
Anybody else can leave
Anyone else can depart
And I would only laugh
And I would only find it amusing
But he means too much to me
But he is very important to me
And you ain't heard the half
And you haven't even heard the half of it
Oh, his jelly roll is so nice and hot
Oh, his jelly roll is very delicious and spicy
Never fails to touch the spot
It never fails to hit the spot
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
His frankfurters are oh so sweet
His frankfurters are extremely tasty
How I like his sausage meat
I really enjoy his sausage meat
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
Oh, how that boy can open clam
Oh, that boy knows how to expertly open a clam
No one else is can touch my ham
No one else can handle my ham
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
When I eat his doughnuts
When I eat his doughnuts
All I leave is the hole
All I leave behind is the empty space in the middle
Any time he wants to
Whenever he desires
Why, he can use my sugar bowl
He can use my sugar bowl without hesitation
Oh, his baloney's really worth a try
Oh, his baloney is truly worth tasting
Never fails to satisfy
It never fails to please
I can't do without my kitchen man
I cannot live without my cook
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY RAZAF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind