Kay Starr was successful in every field of music she tried, jazz, country and pop. But her roots were in jazz, Billie Holiday, considered by many the greatest jazz singer of all time, called Starr "the only white woman who could sing the blues."
She is best remembered for introducing two songs that became #1 hits in the 1950s, "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Rock And Roll Waltz".
Kay Starr was born on a reservation in Dougherty, Oklahoma. Her father, Harry, was a full-blooded Iroquois Indian; her mother, Annie, was of mixed Irish and American Indian heritage. When her father got a job installing water sprinkler systems, the family moved to Dallas, Texas.
While her father worked for the Automatic Sprinkler Company, her mother raised chickens, and Kay used to sing to the chickens in the coop. As a result of the fact that her aunt, Nora, was impressed by her singing, she began to sing at the age of seven on a Dallas radio station, WRR, first in a talent competition where she finished third one week and won every week thereafter, then with her own weekly fifteen minute show. She sang pop and "hillbilly" songs with a piano accompaniment. By the age of ten, she was making $3 a night, a lot of money in the Depression days.
As a result of her father's changing jobs, her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and she continued performing on the radio, singing "Western swing music," still mostly a mix of country and pop. It was while she was on the Memphis radio station WMPS that, as a result of misspellings in her fan mail, she and her parents decided to give her the name "Kay Starr". At the age of fifteen, she was chosen to sing with the Joe Venuti orchestra. Venuti had a contract to play in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis which called for his band to feature a girl singer, which he did not have; Venuti's road manager heard her on the radio, and suggested her to Venuti. Because she was still in junior high school, her parents insisted that Venuti take her home no later than midnight.
Although she had brief stints in 1939 with Bob Crosby and Glenn Miller (who hired her in July of that year when his regular singer, Marion Hutton, was sick), she spent most of her next few years with Venuti, until he dissolved his band in 1942. It was, however, with Miller that she cut her first record: "Baby Me"/"Love with a Capital You." It was not a great success, in part because the band played in a key more appropriate for Marion Hutton, which was less suited for Kay's vocal range.
Everybody's Waiting for the Man With the Bag
Kay Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bells that'll tinkle all your troubles away
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
'Cause Christmas is comin' again
He's got a sleighful, it's not gonna stay full
He's got stuff to drop at ev'ry stop of the way
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
He'll be here with the answers to the prayers
That you've made through the year
You'll get yours if you've done ev'rything you should
Extra special good
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember
The best and the merriest you ever did have
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Christmas is here again
Old Mr. Kringle, is soon gonna jingle
All the bells that'll tinkle all your troubles a way
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Christmas is here again
He's got a sleighful and it's not gonna stay full
Got stuff that he's droppin' ev'ry stop of the way
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Christmas is here again
He'll be here with the answer to the prayers
That you've made through the year
You'll get yours if you've done ev'rything you should
Extra special good
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember
The best and the merriest you ever did have
Ev'rybody's waitin', they're all congregatin'
Waitin' for the man with the bag
Better watch out ma'am
Kay Starr's "Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag" is an upbeat Christmas song that has been a staple of the holiday season since its release in 1950. The song is about the anticipation and excitement leading up to Christmas, and the hope that a certain jolly man will bring happiness and fulfillment to everyone's lives. Old Mr.Kringle, or Santa Claus, is the man with the bag referred to in the song, and the lyrics describe the joy he brings with him as he travels across the world in his sleigh.
The first verse sets the festive tone for the song, with the mention of the bells that will soon be ringing and the expectation of the arrival of the man with the bag. The second verse describes the fullness of Santa's sleigh and the gifts he has for everyone on his journey. The chorus repeats the anticipation for Mr.Kringle's arrival and the happiness he brings to those who have been good all year.
The bridge emphasizes the generosity of Santa Claus, who will answer the prayers of those who have been good throughout the year, and make this December the most memorable and joyous one yet. The final verse emphasizes the excitement and eagerness of everyone waiting for Santa Claus, and the urgency that comes with the realization that Christmas is here again.
Overall, Kay Starr's "Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag" is a jubilant and happy song that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the anticipation of the arrival of the beloved Santa Claus. The song has become a classic and is still enjoyed by people every holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Mr.Kringle, is soon gonna jingle
Santa Claus is on his way
The bells that'll tinkle all your troubles away
The sound of Christmas bells will bring joy to all
Ev'rybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Everyone is eagerly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive
'Cause Christmas is comin' again
Because it's Christmas time
He's got a sleighful, it's not gonna stay full
Santa Claus has a lot of presents to deliver
He's got stuff to drop at ev'ry stop of the way
He has presents to deliver at every house
He'll be here with the answers to the prayers
Santa Claus will fulfill the wishes made throughout the year
That you've made through the year
The wishes made throughout the year will be granted
You'll get yours if you've done ev'rything you should
Those who have been good will receive presents
Extra special good
Being exceptionally good will result in receiving even better presents
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember
This December will be unforgettable, thanks to Santa Claus
The best and the merriest you ever did have
This will be the best and merriest December you've ever experienced
Ev'rybody's waitin', they're all congregatin'
Everyone is gathering and waiting for Santa Claus
Waitin' for the man with the bag
Waiting for Santa Claus with his bag of presents
Better watch out ma'am
Better be good, or else you won't receive any presents
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@geraldthorburn1123
I always think about the technology in those days. Studio time (expensive), tape deck technology in relative infancy, so no multiple takes for Kay if she blows it. Instead she nails it shut. Wonderful talent. The orchestra likewise.
@johnjames4213
Great song, great powerful voice of Kay Starr, great fidelity for the year it came out sounds like she just recorded it
@johnjames4213
Kudos too to Frank Devol and his orchestra.
@mour5064
Che spettacolo.. che anni.. 🎩🖤
@caileanjack6284
1950
@joek5784
I've been trying to find original 1950 Capitol 78 for years!!! NO LUCK. :-(
@johnjames4213
It might also have been released as a 45 which would sound better.
@cynthiachazen3420
Great song until you’re working in the department store and it’s on a 40 minute muzak loop (shudder)…
@danielarick2105
Used in a movie from I think 2003, called The Nice Guys, starring Ryan Gosling,and Russel Crowe
@jdmbeats
Also in 2006, in a movie called "Black Christmas".