Salvador recorded several songs written with Boris Vian with Quincy Jones as arranger.
In the 60's Salvador was the television host of several popular TV variety shows on French TV.
Henri Salvador and his song "Dans mon île" (1957) is said to have unwittingly inspired bossa nova in Brazil, as Carlos Tom Jobim would have exclaimed on hearing the song "This is what you have to do! Slow down the tempo of samba, add a good melody and top it with beautiful chords!"
Caetano Veloso, a renowned brasilian composer and singer, made a direct reference at Salvador in his song "Reconvexo" : "quem não sentiu o swing de Heri Salvador ?" (who hasn't felt the swing of Henri Salvador ?)
In (1964) Henri Salvador scored a popular French hit with "Zorro est arrivé" (which was inspired by the English song "Along Came Jones"). His song "Mais non, mais non" (1969) inspired Jim Henson' song Mahna Mahna. These kind of comedy songs made him well known in France. He is also famous for his good nature and rich, catchy laugh, which is a standalone feature in many of his humoristic songs.
He has a brother, André, and a sister Alice. He became a musician and comedian. Later he uncovered new French talents Keren Ann and Art Mengo.
Eh! Mama!
Henri Salvador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bien cach? e sous les grands palmiers
Ses deux filles cueillent des bananes
Pendant qu'elle cuit le d? ner
Elle est si bonne cuisini? re
Que les gars viennent de tr? s loin
Et regardent dans sa soupi? re
En chantant ce refrain:
Eh! Mama! Comme? a sent bon chez toi
Eh! Mama! Qu'est-ce que tu fais cuire par l?
Qui t'a vendu ton tour de taille
Il ne t'a pas vol?
Vive la bonne boustifaille
Que Mama m'a donn? e
Elle a des amis innombrables
Et les gars veulent des plats exquis
Ils roulent tr? s souvent sous la table
Et se retrouvent dans son lit
Mais honni soit qui mal y pense
Car Mama fait? a uniquement
Pour pouvoir leur garnir la panse
De chocolat fumant
Eh! Mama! Comme? a sent bon chez toi
Eh! Mama! Qu'est-ce que tu fais chauffer l?
Ton corsage a un tel volume
Qu'on en est? tonn?
Mais on dort comme dans la plume
Le nez dans tes n? n? s!
Quelques fois, nous sommes trois ou quatre
A venir d? ner chez Mama
Et il faut la voir se d? battre
Pour contenter ce monde-l?
Ses deux filles arrivent? l'aide
Et s'asseyent sur vos genoux
? a fait un petit interm? de
Et chacun rit beaucoup
Eh! Mama! Comme? a sent bon chez toi
Eh! Mama! Laisse donc un moment tes plats
Mes genoux sont les plus solides
Viens donc sans te g? ner
Et vidons ce cruchon limpide
Viens, Mama, viens m'aimer!
Viens, Mama, viens m'aimer!
The song "Eh! Mama!" by Henri Salvador tells the story of a woman living in a small cabana hidden under palm trees with her two daughters. She is known for her outstanding cooking skills that attract men from far and wide. The men come to her and look into her soup pot while singing the refrain "Eh! Mama! Comme ça sent bon chez toi." Mama's cooking is so delicious that people crave it and are willing to do anything to get a taste, even if it means ending up drunk and sleeping in her bed. Mama is not criticized, however, but praised for the hospitality and the unique ability to provide rich, sumptuous meals made with chocolate.
The song portrays Mama as a kind and generous woman, who is loved and admired by many. The men who come to eat at her place often end up drunk and sleeping in her bed, but there is no hint of exploitation or predation on her part. Mama's daughters are also helpful and supportive, often helping their mother cook and serve food, and even sitting on their guests' laps to make them more comfortable. Mama's place is a haven that provides not just good food, but also laughter, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Elle habite une petite cabane
She lives in a tiny hut
Bien cachée sous les grands palmiers
Well hidden beneath the tall palm trees
Ses deux filles cueillent des bananes
Her two daughters gather bananas
Pendant qu'elle cuit le dîner
While she cooks dinner
Elle est si bonne cuisinière
She is such a good cook
Que les gars viennent de très loin
That men come from very far away
Et regardent dans sa soupière
And look into her soup pot
En chantant ce refrain:
While singing this chorus:
Eh! Mama! Comme ça sent bon chez toi
Hey Mama! It smells so good at your place
Eh! Mama! Qu'est-ce que tu fais cuire par là?
Hey Mama! What are you cooking over there?
Qui t'a vendu ton tour de taille
Who sold you your waistline
Il ne t'a pas volé?
Did he not steal from you?
Vive la bonne boustifaille
Long live good grub
Que Mama m'a donnée
That Mama gave me
Elle a des amis innombrables
She has countless friends
Et les gars veulent des plats exquis
And the men want exquisite dishes
Ils roulent très souvent sous la table
They often roll under the table
Et se retrouvent dans son lit
And end up in her bed
Mais honni soit qui mal y pense
But cursed be he who thinks evil of it
Car Mama fait ça uniquement
Because Mama does it solely
Pour pouvoir leur garnir la panse
To be able to fill their bellies
De chocolat fumant
With steaming chocolate
Eh! Mama! Comme ça sent bon chez toi
Hey Mama! It smells so good at your place
Eh! Mama! Qu'est-ce que tu fais chauffer là?
Hey Mama! What are you heating up over there?
Ton corsage a un tel volume
Your bodice has such volume
Qu'on en est étonné?
That we are amazed?
Mais on dort comme dans la plume
But we sleep as if on feathers
Le nez dans tes nénés!
With our noses in your bosom!
Quelques fois, nous sommes trois ou quatre
Sometimes, we are three or four
A venir dîner chez Mama
Coming to dine at Mama's
Et il faut la voir se battre
And we must see her fight
Pour contenter ce monde-là
To satisfy those people
Ses deux filles arrivent à l'aide
Her two daughters come to help
Et s'asseyent sur vos genoux
And sit on your laps
Ça fait un petit intermède
It creates a small break
Et chacun rit beaucoup
And everyone laughs a lot
Eh! Mama! Comme ça sent bon chez toi
Hey Mama! It smells so good at your place
Eh! Mama! Laisse donc un moment tes plats
Hey Mama! Leave your dishes for a moment
Mes genoux sont les plus solides
My knees are the strongest
Viens donc sans te gêner
Come without being embarrassed
Et vidons ce cruchon limpide
And let's empty this clear jug
Viens, Mama, viens m'aimer!
Come, Mama, come love me!
Viens, Mama, viens m'aimer!
Come, Mama, come love me!
Contributed by Gabriel M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.