Story Behind The Song

Have you heard about all this madness with Donut Burgers? I recently came across a bunch of news articles and photos on the internet about restaurants and donut chains in the US and other countries that are serving up hamburgers on donuts (and with great acclaim and success). Many people are now claiming credit for the creation of the Donut Burger. For example Luther Vandross, the singer, put a burger on a donut and called it The Luther back in 1979. The truth is, I was present when the Donut Burger was first created in 1978 at Dewey's Hamburger and Chili on the far north side of Chicago in Rogers Park. I was in Dewey's about 4 o'clock in the morning after I had finished playing a gig. It had been a busy night at Dewey's. They had run totally out of buns and bread and were waiting for their morning bread delivery which normally came at about 5 o'clock in the morning. This really drunk and obnoxious guy stumbled in shortly after I arrived. He got a little CRAZY when he found out they were out of buns and bread because "HE wanted a CHEESEBURGER". After ranting and raving at the short order cook, his attention suddenly turned to a glass display case on the counter which had a couple funky-looking, day-old donuts in it. He grinned in a devilish kind-of-way and said, "well, if you ain't got no bread, then put it on that donut there". And that's exactly what the short order cook did. He threw a burger on the grill, cooked it for about 60 seconds, and then served it up with a slice of American cheese--on a donut. The drunk guy wolfed down the donut burger and then stumbled back out the door on his way home to sleep it all off.

Song Description

Have you heard about all this madness with Donut Burgers? I recently came across a bunch of news articles and photos on the internet about restaurants and donut chains in the US and other countries that are serving up hamburgers on donuts (and with great acclaim and success). Many people are now claiming credit for the creation of the Donut Burger. For example Luther Vandross, the singer, put a burger on a donut and called it The Luther back in 1979. The truth is, I was present when the Donut Burger was first created in 1978 at Dewey's Hamburger and Chili on the far north side of Chicago in Rogers Park. I was in Dewey's about 4 o'clock in the morning after I had finished playing a gig. It had been a busy night at Dewey's. They had run totally out of buns and bread and were waiting for their morning bread delivery which normally came at about 5 o'clock in the morning. This really drunk and obnoxious guy stumbled in shortly after I arrived. He got a little CRAZY when he found out they were out of buns and bread because "HE wanted a CHEESEBURGER". After ranting and raving at the short order cook, his attention suddenly turned to a glass display case on the counter which had a couple funky-looking, day-old donuts in it. He grinned in a devilish kind-of-way and said, "well, if you ain't got no bread, then put it on that donut there". And that's exactly what the short order cook did. He threw a burger on the grill, cooked it for about 60 seconds, and then served it up with a slice of American cheese--on a donut. The drunk guy wolfed down the donut burger and then stumbled back out the door on his way home to sleep it all off.

Lyrics

Verse 1
E
Out all night, partyin' up a storm
D
Won't get home til the early morn
A
After so much fun, gettin' low on cash
E D E
Gotta eat something before I crash

E
Wracking my brain, trying to think of a place
D
Where it don't cost much to feed your face
A
Jump in my car, down to Dewey's I go
E D E
When you get that desperate, you're sinking mighty low

Chorus
A
Put it on that donut there
E
I'm so wasted I don't care
A D
Cook it quick and make it rare
C D E
Then put it on that donut there

Verse 2
E
I'm hungry for anything, I don't care what
D
A big bowl of chili, or whatever else you got
A
Greasy cheeseburger and an order of fries
E D E
Lots of grilled onions would sure be nice

E
What's that you say, you ain't got no bread
D
I can't go home til I get fed
A
Gotta eat now or I'm gonna be ill
E D E
So, pick up a burger and throw on the grill, then...

Chorus
A
Put it on that donut there
E
I'm so wasted I don't care
A D
Cook it quick and make it rare
C D E
Then put it on that donut there

Bridge
D
If you howl all night til the morning light
E
You're gonna be working up an appetite
D
Got a taste for something that's a pure delight
A B
A juicy burger on a donut's just the way to end your night

Chorus
A
Put it on that donut there
E
I'm so wasted I don't care
A D
Cook it quick and make it rare
C D E
Then put it on that donut there

Repeat Chorus (x2) and end with
C D E
Then put it on that donut there (x3)