“Mack the Knife” is a classic song recorded by Bobby Darin in 1959. The song was originally written by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 musical “Die Dreigroschenoper” (“The Threepenny Opera”). Bobby Darin’s version, however, became the most famous and successful adaptation of the song.
About The Song
Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife” is known for its swinging jazz arrangement and Darin’s charismatic and energetic performance. The lyrics tell the story of a notorious criminal named Mack the Knife, highlighting his criminal exploits and the reactions of the people in the town.
Darin’s recording of “Mack the Knife” was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song earned Darin the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1960.
The success of “Mack the Knife” not only showcased Darin’s versatility as a performer but also introduced a new generation to the classic song from the German musical. The song has since become a standard in the jazz and pop repertoire, with various artists offering their interpretations over the years.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
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
You 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 just, it’s there for the weight, dear
Five’ll get ya ten, old Macky’s back in town
Now did ya 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, the 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
I have sang this multiple times at karaoke. Never doing it justice! But enjoyed it!!!!!