Louis Armstrong

Lyrics

13 ContributorsMack the Knife LyricsDig, man, there goes Mack The Knife!

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows them, a-pearly white
Just a jackknife has Macheath, dear
And he keeps it out of sight

When the shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves though wears Macheath, dear
So there’s not a trace, mmm, of red

On the sidewalk, Sunday mornin', baby
Lies a body, oozin' life
Someone sneakin' 'round the corner
Is the someone Mack the Knife?

From a tugboat by the river, baby
A cement bag's drooppin' down
Yeah the cement's just for the weight, dear
Bet you Mack, he's back in town

Lookie here, Louie Miller, disappeared, dear
After drawing out his cash
And MacHeath spends like a sailor
Did our boy do somethin' rash?
You might also likeSuky Tawdry, Jenny Diver
Lotte Lenya, sweet Lucy Brown
Yes, the line forms on the right, dears
Now that Mackheath's back in town

Take it, Satch

There are certain songs that become timeless classics, and Mack the Knife, originally composed by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, is one such masterpiece. With the quick and catchy tune coupled with powerful lyrics, it has become a cover favorite for many musicians over the years. The song has been popularized by various artists, but one of the most revered versions is the 1956 recording by Louis Armstrong.

As one of the greatest jazz trumpeters and vocalists of all time, Armstrong's interpretation of Mack the Knife is a testimony to his artistry and vocal range. The song, originally written in German by Weill and Brecht for their anti-capitalist musical drama "The Threepenny Opera," talks about the infamous criminal Mackie Messer (Mack the Knife) and his nefarious deeds, including murder and theft. The song became one of the most recognizable anthems of the 20th century, and Armstrong's version turned it into a jazz standard that is still played today.

About Mack the Knife by Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong's Mack the Knife hit the charts in the mid-1950s and was immediately hailed as a classic. The song was part of Armstrong's album "Ella and Louis," which he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald. The album has stood the test of time and continues to be a favorite among jazz enthusiasts.

Armstrong's version of Mack the Knife was based on the 1953 English translation by Marc Blitzstein. The translation retained the essence of the original German lyrics and made the song accessible to English-speaking audiences. Armstrong, known for his improvisational skills, took the lyrics a step further and added his own spin to the song. During the song, he improvised the line, "Look out for Miss Lotte Lenya!" in reference to Weill's widow who was present in the studio during the recording. The reference renders the song as an ode to Lenya, who was herself a famous singer, actress, and interpreter of Weill's work.

The horn solo at the beginning of the song is a master class in improvisation, which Armstrong was renowned for. The brassy and lively introduction maintains the excitement of the song, which continues throughout. Armstrong's booming vocals and the backing band keep the song lively, ensuring that it remains a classic even today.

Armstrong's rendition also elevated the status of the song from just being a tale of a criminal to something much more complex. The rhythmic variations and syncopation that Armstrong and his band employed offer a sense of excitement and unpredictability that the original version misses. Armstrong's ability to incorporate jazz elements like swing and blues into the song renders it a seamless amalgamation of different music styles.

The original song's anti-establishment tone is retained in Armstrong's version, which is emblematic of the uproar that Weill and Brecht's musical drama caused when it was first staged. The song's lyrics boast of Mackie Messer's escapades, including the murder of a prostitute named Lucy Brown. Armstrong sings about these darker themes in his signature sassy and unabashed style, adding a layer of nuance to the song.

The song's importance is also due to its popularity in popular culture. It appears in movies, TV shows, and even advertisements. The song has been used in movies like The Threepenny Opera and The Manchurian Candidate, and it has been covered by various artists like Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and lots more.

The Significance of the Song

Mack the Knife is a song that transcends the limits of genre and time, with its haunting lyrics and memorable tune. True to Armstrong's style, his version of the song is a masterclass in storytelling. His inimitable traditional jazz twist on the original song brings it into a more contemporary setting, seamlessly blurring the lines between genres. In terms of its lyrics, Mack the Knife stands the test of time, an unapologetic portrayal of crime, for which the protagonist remains a beloved cultural icon.

The song's enduring popularity teaches us that good music is timeless. Although it was recorded almost seventy years ago, Mack the Knife continues to be celebrated, played, and enjoyed by millions across the world. Its long-standing success is a testament to the power of Louis Armstrong's music, his unparalleled vocal expertise, and the timeless quality of great jazz music in general.

In a world where music is ever-changing, Mack the Knife remains an indelible classic that will forever maintain its place in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. As Armstrong sings in the song, "Oh the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear/ And it shows them pearly white/Just a jackknife has old Mackie, babe/And he keeps it out of sight."

• Release Date: None
• Artist: Louis Armstrong