The Frim Fram Sauce" is a jazz song, made famous by The Nat King Cole Trio and performed by a variety of musicians over the years. "The Frim Fram Sauce" was written in 1945. The lyrics were written by Redd Evans, who wrote words to a number of Cole songs. The music was composed by Joe Ricardel, known as the co-writer of the "Brooklyn Dodger Jump", among others.
"The Frim Fram Sauce" is best remembered for its silly lyrics. The narrator speaks to a waiter in a restaurant, as if in the process of ordering food. Throughout the song, the customer lists numerous real foods that he doesn't want, such as pork chops and fish cakes. In the chorus, he explains what he really wants: some "frim fram sauce" with the "oss and fay" /ˈɒs.nˌfeɪ/ and "shifafa" /ʃəˈfɑːfə/ on the side. (The spelling is uncertain; we could instead have "oss'n'fay" or "ussinfay" /ˈʌs.nˌfeɪ/), and "shafafa.")
At the end, the narrator character says: "If you don't have it, just bring me a check for the water!" This may be interpreted as the character performing a scam: he wanted the water (which is customarily served free to customers at restaurants before they order), and makes up nonsense words for dishes as he has no intention of really ordering anything (which he would have to pay for), and he knows that he will not be charged for the water.
- View the YouTube video at Diana Krall: Frim Fram Sauce
Enjoy this gifted jazz player with her guitarist and bass player. She's an incredible artist.
- The Frim Fram Sauce Chord Chart
Play the song with a medium swing in the Key of Eb
Intro:
Eb9
Eb9/G
Ab13
Adim7
Eb9/G
C7b9
F7b9
Bb13
Adim7
Ab13
Eb9/G
C7
F7
Bb7sus
Eb
Eb Eb
I don't want french fried po - ta - toes,
Gb13
Red ripe to - ma - toes,
F7 Bbm7
I'm nev- er sat - is - fied.
A7 Ab7 Adim7 Eb/Bb C7
I want the frim fram sauce with the aus - en fay
F7 Bb7 Eb C7
With shi - fa - fa on the side.
Fm7 Bb7sus Eb
I don't want pork chops and ba - con,
C7 F7
That won't a - wa - ken
F7
My ap - pe - tite in - side.
Bbm7 A7 Ab7 Adim7 Eb/Bb C7
I want the frim fram sauce with the oss - en fay
Fm7 Bb7b9 Eb
With shi - fa - fa on the side.
Bridge:
A7 Bbm7 Eb7 Abmaj7
Well, you know a girl, she really got to eat
F7 Bbm7 Eb7 Abmaj7
And a girl she should eat right.
Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7
Five will get you ten
G7b9 Cm7 F7 Bb7
I'm gonna feed myself right tonight.
Eb
I don't want fish cakes and rye bread -
C7
You heard what I said.
F7 C7 F7
Waiter, please serve mine fried
F7 Ab7 Adim7 Eb/Bb C7
I want the frim fram sauce with the aus - en fay
Fm7 Bb7 Eb
With shi - fa - fa on the side.
Outro
Cm7
Bm7
Bbm7
A13
Ab9
Adim7
Gm7
B/D#
Fm11
Bb7#9(b13)
Eb6/9
You may be interested in the music resource, Jazz Intensive Training Center
Have fun with the song! Wishing you and yours happiness in celebrating Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for you, dear readers.
Blessings,
"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey
