Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. With his instantly-recognizable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also skilled at scat singing (vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics).
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over", whose skin-color was secondary to his music in an America that was severely racially divided. He rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a black man.
Armstrong was born and brought up in New Orleans, a culturally diverse town with a unique musical mix of creole, ragtime, marching bands, and blues. Although from an early age he was able to play music professionally, he didn't travel far from New Orleans until 1922, when he went to Chicago to join his mentor, King Oliver. Oliver's band played primitive jazz, a hotter style of ragtime, with looser rhythms and more improvisation, and Armstrong's role was mostly backing. Slow to promote himself, he was eventually persuaded by his wife Lil Hardin to leave Oliver, and In 1924 he went to New York to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. At the time, there were a few other artists using the rhythmic innovations of the New Orleans style, but none did it with the energy and brilliance of Armstrong, and he quickly became a sensation among New York musicians. Back in Chicago in 1925, he made his first recordings with his own group, Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, and these became not only popular hits but also models for the first generation of jazz musicians, trumpeters or otherwise.
Other hits followed through the twenties and thirties, as well as troubles: crooked managers, lip injuries, mob entanglements, failed big-band ventures. As jazz styles changed, though, musical purists never lost any respect for him -- although they were sometimes irritated by his hammy onstage persona. Around the late forties, with the help of a good manager, Armstrong's business affairs finally stablilized, and he began to be seen as an elder statesman of American popular entertainment, appearing in Hollywood films, touring Asia and Europe, and dislodging The Beatles from the number-one position with Hello Dolly". Today many people may know him as a singer (a good one), but as Miles Davis said: “You can’t play nothing on modern trumpet that doesn’t come from him."
The 62-year-old Armstrong became the oldest act to top the US charts when "Hello Dolly" reached #1 in 1964. Four years later Satchmo also became the oldest artist to record a UK #1, when "What a Wonderful World" hit the top spot.
Mack the Knife
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And it shows them 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 of red
On the sidewalk, sundayy morning, baby
Lies a body oozin' life
Someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
Is this someone Mack the Knife?
From a tugboat, by the river
A cement bag's drooppin' down
Yes, the cement's just for the weight, dear
Bet you Macky's back in town
Lookie here, Louie Miller disappeared, dear
After drawin' out his cash
And MacHeath spends like a sailor
Did our boy do somethin' rash?
Sukey Tawdry, Jenny Diver, Lotte Lenya, sweet Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, dears
Now that Macky's back in town
Take it, Satch
Louis Armstrong's "Mack the Knife" is a musical masterpiece that tells the story of a notorious criminal named Mackie Messer or Mack the Knife, who is a serial killer and a thief. The song captures the fear and thrill of the criminal underworld while showcasing the ironies and paradoxes inherent to human behavior.
The lyrics of the song highlight the ruthlessness of Mack the Knife, who is compared to a shark with pretty teeth that show pearly white. He carries just a jackknife, but keeps it out of sight. When he bites with his teeth, the scarlet billows start to spread, but he wears such fancy gloves that there is no trace of red left. The song also describes a body lying on the sidewalk on a Sunday morning, indicating Mack the Knife's lethal activities. As the song progresses, it questions if Mack the Knife is responsible for the murder of Louie Miller, who disappeared after drawing out his cash. The song ends with the line "Now that Macky's back in town," implying that the criminal has returned to inflict mayhem once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig, man, there goes Mack The Knife
Look, there goes the notorious criminal MacHeath.
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
MacHeath is as dangerous as a shark, even though he appears charming and harmless.
And it shows them pearly white
His smile may be harmless and attractive, but it hides his true intentions.
Just a jackknife has MacHeath, dear
MacHeath is dangerous with just a simple weapon like a knife.
And he keeps it out of sight
MacHeath keeps his knife hidden to avoid detection and suspicion.
When the shark bites with his teeth, dear
When MacHeath attacks, it's swift and deadly.
Scarlet billows start to spread
Blood begins to spill and the aftermath of his attack is visible.
Fancy gloves, though, wears MacHeath, dear
Even though he is a criminal, MacHeath has a taste for luxury items like expensive gloves.
So there's not a trace of red
He wears gloves to avoid leaving any evidence of his crimes.
On the sidewalk, sundayy morning, baby
On a quiet Sunday morning, a body lies lifeless on the sidewalk.
Lies a body oozin' life
The body is still warm and fresh with blood from the fatal wound.
Someone's sneakin' 'round the corner
A suspicious figure is seen lurking around the corner.
Is this someone Mack the Knife?
It's possible that MacHeath is the one responsible for the recent murder.
From a tugboat, by the river
From a boat on the river, a heavy and suspicious object is dropped.
A cement bag's drooppin' down
The bag is likely filled with cement to weigh something down.
Yes, the cement's just for the weight, dear
The cement is being used to weigh down something much heavier and important.
Bet you Macky's back in town
It's highly likely that MacHeath has returned to the city to cause more trouble.
Lookie here, Louie Miller disappeared, dear
Louie Miller, a known associate of MacHeath's, has disappeared and is nowhere to be found.
After drawin' out his cash
Louie was last seen withdrawing a large sum of money from his bank account.
And MacHeath spends like a sailor
MacHeath has a reputation for being extravagant with his money.
Did our boy do somethin' rash?
It's possible that Louie was killed by MacHeath, perhaps for his money or because he knew too much.
Sukey Tawdry, Jenny Diver, Lotte Lenya, sweet Lucy Brown
These are all women associated with MacHeath, and are likely accomplices or partners in crime.
Oh, the line forms on the right, dears
There are many people eager to join MacHeath's circle of criminal associates.
Now that Macky's back in town
With MacHeath's return, there is sure to be more criminal activity and chaos.
Take it, Satch
This is a directive for Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) to start playing his trumpet.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marc Blitzstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@instance3954
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows them, 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' around the corner
Is the someone, Mack the Knife?
From a tugboat, by the river
A cement bag's drooppin' down
Yeah, the cement's just for the weight, dear
Bet you Mack, he's back in town
Looky here Louie Miller, disappeared, dear
After drawing out his cash
And MacHeath spends like a sailor
Did our boy do somethin' rash?
Sukey Tawdry, Jenny Diver
Lotte Lenya, Sweet Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, dears
Now that Mack, he's back in town
Take it, Satch
@thewriteinpresident
And the Teacher Spoke…, This is a MANDATE from Your God that if you are one whom seeks too know The God of Gods, and The Lord of Lords, and The King of Kings, then you will tell people we are in PURGATORY……., and any YouTube Channel that does not say: WE ARE IN PURGATORY will not be returning to The Eternal God of the Ages when this age ends, for this is the final RESET… When I Christ Jesus the Son of Man and [Wombman] #QANON /_\ was tortured by the U.N. World Government, I was not allowed by the Unknown God at that time too know I would be reborn in my Blood Line once The God of the Book of Enoch had done The Revealing of all things, and those of you’m whom have read THE BOOK OF NONMASON – THE BOOK OF PUZZLES – THE BOOK OF RIDDLES, and our continuing “Biblical” known as The Science and Religion of Pak-Toe are NOT to lie anymore about where we are, what we are, or “whom” we are for THEY LIVE are the Fallen Angels…..., and them PEOPLE whom preach….., and teach Fake NASA are {U.N. Troops} whom can only kill our Flesh and Blood and Bones…., but OUR GOD that is Male and Female as Genesis states WE ARE Made in “Their” Image…….., the TIME of this world shall.., and will come to an end in the Year 2094 C.E., and Purgatory will also “finally” be Concluded as all them STARS in the Night Sky are actually Angels whom OUR GOD has placed each one in its own Private Hell……..., and that is why they Shimmer and Dance in their own MAN MADE MADNESS!!! I Christ Jesus [Returned] Q’ will be watching your YouTube Channels, and Face Book Post, and all the rest too see if anyone on these Holographic {TV Screens} [{**}] are Children of the Most High, and want to go home too be returned to OUR GOD whence these Temporary Temporal ESOTERIC Bodies of flesh, and blood, and bones become Ashes to Ashes, and Dust to Dust… For OUR GOD has made a New Celestial Sphere SIMULATION Virtual Reality where anything WE THE PEOPLE whom [done good] Q+ do so desire can happen from Sexual Pleasure, to Getting High in a world where Magic is NEVER used for Evil Intentions… Jesus is returned, and as Our Leader of we The True, and Pure, and Honest Humans, we will [go home] +=+ Q` to OUR GOD whence we die, but those whom remain DEFIANT and Hateful, you would do Free will` too Reconsider, Reconcile, and find Redemption in OUR Lord and Savior, for when this Humans Body does so die, you will ALL be Locked into [A World] Q with No Christ for all time, and that time still ends in 2094 C.E. For all U.N. FLAGS “have betrayed” THE LAW of Their GOD, and my 10 Commandments, not too mention just good ole decent COMMON SENSE!!! Theretofore, if you are NOT Locked In to (COVID19) of these FREE MASON Lodges in your home towns, you will now by DECLARATION of “Our God” use the Word PURGATORY in what ever U-Tube you do, but know this, them that still say nothing, cause THEY ARE Nothing??? You will go to the 2nd Lake of Fire as I the God of My People will Melt The Mountains of JON LEVI Mud Floods, and no more shall [any of you] Q- Demons, or Q-Devils, and your Q-God of Lucifer ever be known to anyone anymore for PURGATORY, and {You People} / * \ all end in 2094 A.D. ….. The Oracle “of and for” OUR God has so spoken… The Book of EXODICE!!!
https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/watch/the-book-of-the-watchers-enoch-1-36-read-by-christopher-glyn_AkcspqVZN5pSHUV.html
John 13:34 - 1st Corinthians 13 – Mathew 28 – Mathew 5… Do not be like “The Raca” for they will all perish in The End…
The Sentinel…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ULUQgxJ5M
We Are Pak-Toe!!! We don’t do Racka!!! WE TAKE THEM OUT!!!
Johnny Exodice LIVES and so do we, The Book of Exodice…
[///|||\\\]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@jovis6995
I have this as my alarm clock in the morning, people say an alarm is always annoying no matter what's playing, but this always makes me smile and makes my morning special when I let it play for a bit longer.
@elplaga2252
Is NICE
@cruzmaugcruz3410
JAJAJAJAJAJA. TAMBIÉN VOY A PROGRAMARLA PARA DESPERTAR CON ELLA CADA DÍA,
@elmerl7613
there is definetly a joke to made here but this is to wholesome
@SoulKingBK
@Elmer L hey killers smile some times too
@elmerl7613
@SoulKingBrook I certinly do
@holton345
Of all the recordings of this tune that Armstrong did, this one is my favorite. I especially love how he passes a solo to himself. "Take it, Satch." Perfect.
@col.cottonhill6655
This man is one of my fav childhood musicians. I even took up trumpet lessons
@altrock86
Same for me the reason I learned trumpet. I originally wanted to learn saxophone until I heard Armstrong.
@brentatbluenovaproductions2136
@Christopher Kaesemeyer same for me. 28 years later and I still can grab my old trusty brass trumpet and lay down some Blues or Jazz and play it as hard as my electric guitar blasting out punk and metal rock riffs.