Written by Sage | March 26, 2026
100 years ago, today, the number 1 song in U.S.A. was none other than “A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You” performed by Gertrude Lawrence & Jack Buchanan. Though the song was written by Joseph Meyer, with lyrics by Al Dubin and Billy Rose and recorded by the performers in 1925, on March 26, 1926, this song hit No. 1.
Al Dubin, born Alexander Dubin on June 10, 1891. He became known as an American lyricist and for his works with composer, Harry Warren. Born into a Jewish-Russian family, at two years old, he moved from Zürich, Switzerland to Philadelphia, PA. During his teenage years, he practiced truancy to tour The Big Apple to see Broadway musicals. Dubin met composer, Harry Warren in 1925. They completed their first song together titled, “Too Many Kisses in the Summer Bring Too Many Tears in the Fall”. It was another song by Joseph Meyer that he co-wrote lyrics for, with Billy Rose, that went on to become his first big hit, “A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You.”
Billy Rose, born William Samuel Rosenberg on September 6, 1899. He became known as an American impresario, theatrical showman, lyricist and columnist. Rose was born into Jewish family and raised in New York City, NY. His career began as a stenographic clerk to the Bernard Baruch of the War Industries Board during World War I. Subsequently he went on to become a lyricist. His writer/co-writer credentials include the lyrics to “Me and My Shadow”, “Great Day”, and most notably, “Carmen Jones.” At some point during his writer/co-writer ventures he would collaborate with Al Dubin to write lyrics to “A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You.”
Now, let’s dive into the inspiration behind “A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You”. The song title got its inspiration from a famous line “A Jug of Wine, A Loaf of Bread and Thou” derived from, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Khayyam lived from 1048-1131 and was dubbed Astronomer-Poet of Persia. This book was translated by Edward Fitzgerald from Persian to English in 1859.
Can you imagine? Without the interest of one man, E. Fitzgerald, and the translating of what would become a world renowned masterpiece, we may not have this 1926 big hit in our history books. “A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You.”
