Grey originated the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the Broadway musical Cabaret in 1966 for which he won the Tony Award. Additional Broadway credits include Come Blow Your Horn (1961), Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (1962), Half a Sixpence (1965), Goodtime Charley (1975), The Grand Tour (1979), Chicago (1996), and Wicked (2003).
Grey was born Joel Katz in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Grace and Mickey Katz, who was an actor, clarinetist, comedian and director. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California in 1950. He is the father of actress Jennifer Grey, the star of Dirty Dancing, and James, a chef. In 1958 he married Jo Wilder. They divorced in 1982.
Grey's other occupation is his life-long avocation--photography. His first book of photographs, Pictures I Had to Take, was published in 2003; its follow-up, Looking Hard at Unexpected Things, appeared in the Fall of 2006.
Willkommen
Joel Grey Lyrics
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Fremder, étranger, stranger
Glücklich zu sehen
Je suis enchanté
Happy to see you
Bleibe, reste, stay
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
I'm cabaret, au cabaret, to cabaret!
Mes dames et messieurs
Ladies and gentlemen
Guten abend! Bon soir! Good evening!
Wie geht's? Comment sa va?
Do you feel good?
Ich bin eur confrencier!
Je suis votre compère
I am your host!
Und sage
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
I'm cabaret, au cabaret, to cabaret!
Leave your troubles outside
So life is disappointing, forget it!
In here life is beautiful
The girls are beautiful
Even the orchestra is beautiful
And now presenting the cabaret girls!
Each and everyone a virgin
You don't believe me
Well, do not take my word for it
Go ahead, ask her!
Ha ha ha ha
Outside it is winter, but in here it is so hot!
Every night we have the battle to keep the girls from taking off
All their clothing, so don't go away, who knows, tonight we may
Lose the battle!
Und sage
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
I'm cabaret, au cabaret, to cabaret!
We are here to serve you!
Bleibe, reste, stay
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
I'm cabaret, au cabaret
Wir sorgen!
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
Fremder, etranger, stanger
Glücklich zu sehen
Je suis enchanté, enchanté, madame!
Happy to see you, happy to see you
Bleibe, reste, stay
Und sage
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
Fremder, etranger, stanger
Glücklich zu sehen
Je suis enchanté
Happy to see you
Bleibe, reste, stay
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
I'm cabaret
Au cabaret
To cabaret!
Joel Grey's song "Willkommen" is the introduction to the infamous Kit Kat Club in the musical Cabaret. The lyrics act as a form of invitation, welcoming strangers and visitors to the club while simultaneously setting the tone for the experience inside. Through the song, Grey's character, the Emcee, greets the audience in multiple languages, including German, French, and English. This serves to establish the international vibe of the club and imply that anything goes within its walls. The Emcee also encourages the audience to leave their troubles outside the club and forget about the disappointments of life. The theme of escapism is prominent throughout the song, as the Emcee creates a world within the club that is beautiful and exciting, with beautiful girls and even a beautiful orchestra.
The lyrics also have a satirical element, particularly when the Emcee introduces the cabaret girls as "each and everyone a virgin." This line is a stark contrast to the sexual energy of the club and serves to poke fun at the societal norms and taboos surrounding sex at the time. Additionally, the line "Every night we have the battle to keep the girls from taking off all their clothing" paints a picture of a club where anything goes, but also highlights the strict regulations and censorship that were imposed on entertainment during that time period. Overall, "Willkommen" serves as the perfect introduction to Cabaret, introducing the audience to the world of the Kit Kat Club and setting the tone for the entire performance.
Line by Line Meaning
Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!
Greetings and salutations, we welcome you with open arms!
Fremder, étranger, stranger
No matter where you come from, you are a stranger to this place.
Glücklich zu sehen
We are happy to see you here today!
Je suis enchanté
It is my pleasure to meet you.
Bleibe, reste, stay
Please stay a while and enjoy the show!
I'm cabaret, au cabaret, to cabaret!
This is a place of entertainment, where theatre and music combine to create a vibrant atmosphere!
Meine damen und herren
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you tonight's master of ceremonies!
Mes dames et messieurs
Madames and monsieurs, thank you for joining us tonight!
Guten abend! Bon soir! Good evening!
Good evening to all my fellow revelers, thank you for joining us!
Wie geht's? Comment sa va?
Are you feeling well, my friends? We hope you are enjoying the show!
Ich bin eur confrencier!
I am your host and guide for tonight's festivities!
Leave your troubles outside
Forget your worries and leave them behind, for tonight we are here to entertain and delight you!
So life is disappointing, forget it!
If your day was disappointing, wipe it from your mind and embrace the night ahead!
In here life is beautiful
Escape into a world of sheer glamorous beauty, where the only limit is your imagination!
The girls are beautiful
Our dancers are gorgeous and stylish, as are all the performers joining us tonight!
Even the orchestra is beautiful
Every melodious note played tonight is a reflection of the beauty that surrounds us.
And now presenting the cabaret girls!
It is with pleasure and anticipation that we present to you our dancers!
Each and everyone a virgin
Our girls possess an innocence and purity that is a rare find in this world.
You don't believe me
If it seems too good to be true, come see for yourself!
Well, do not take my word for it
We encourage you to experience every moment of the entertainment awaiting you with your own senses and emotions!
Go ahead, ask her!
Ask for the truth from the mouth of the source!
Ha ha ha ha
Do not be afraid to laugh and enjoy yourself, for tonight is a celebration!
Outside it is winter, but in here it is so hot!
While the outside world is cold and dreary, the heat of the entertainment we offer will keep you warm!
Every night we have the battle to keep the girls from taking off
Our girls are full of life and energy, but we keep their exuberance in check in consideration of our guests!
All their clothing, so don't go away, who knows, tonight we may
Our dancers are so passionate that they sometimes lose themselves in the moment. Stay and you might just see it happen!
Lose the battle!
It is always a good sign when the performers are so invested in their craft that they get carried away in the excitement of the performance!
We are here to serve you!
We are dedicated to your entertainment and satisfaction, and we will work tirelessly to create a memorable experience for you tonight!
Wir sorgen!
We will look after you and ensure that you leave satisfied and happy!
Fremder, etranger, stanger
Welcome, stranger! No matter where you come from, we are glad you are here tonight!
Je suis enchanté, enchanté, madame!
It is a pleasure to meet you, madame, and we hope to make your night truly enchanting and magical tonight!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Ebb, John Kander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind