Mack the Knife

Bobby Darin

About Mack the Knife

"Mack the Knife" or "The Ballad of Mack the Knife" (German: "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer") is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama The Threepenny Opera (German: Die Dreigroschenoper). The song has become a popular standard recorded by many artists, including a US and UK number one hit for Bobby Darin in 1959.


Year:
1959
3:10
57 
#1

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Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it, ah, out of sight
Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red

Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh
Lies a body just oozin' life, eek
And someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?

There's a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river don'tcha know
Where a cement bag's just a'drooppin' on down
Oh, that cement is for, just for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
Now d'ja hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor
Could it be our boy's done somethin' rash?

Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky's back in town

I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry
Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Yes, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Macky's back in town
Look out, old Macky's back

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Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was an American singer who performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk, and country. more »

4 fans

Written by: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marc Blitzstein

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin was released in 1959.
Chart Performance
The song was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Grammy Award
Bobby Darin received a Grammy award in 1960 for this song. He won the categories of Body Record of the Year and Best New Artist.
Cover Version
The Bobby Darin version of "Mack the Knife" is a cover of the original song from "The Threepenny Opera" by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, which was written in 1928.
Longevity
"Mack The Knife" stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks.
Billboard's Song of the Year
In 1959, Billboard named "Mack the Knife" its song of the year.
Song Lyrics
Despite its upbeat, jazzy sound, the lyrics of "Mack the Knife" tell the story of a cold-blooded serial killer.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
"Mack the Knife" is one of 500 songs that shaped rock and roll, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Crossover Success
"Mack The Knife" crossed over to top the R&B charts as well.
Influence and Impact
Many other artists, from Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald, have also covered "Mack The Knife.".

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    Mack the Knife

    15.8M
    67,870     3,206

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1959

    Billboard #1


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