Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei… Read Full Bio ↴Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei Berlin, Germany on December 27, 1901. Her father was an army officer who had served in the Franco-Prussian War. Because of his constant absences due to his army duties, Marlene and the family had to rely on themselves. After he died, while she was 11, Marlene's mother married Eduard von Losch and he adopted the Dietrich children.

Marlene was known in school for her "bedroom eyes" and her first affairs were at this stage in her life - a professor at the school was terminated.

Marlene enjoyed music and attended concerts. She was adept at playing the violin and piano. By the time she was in her mid-teens, Marlene had discovered the stage. Acting was to be her vocation. In 1921, Marlene applied for an acting school run by Max Reinhardt. She was accepted. She appeared in several stage productions, but never had more than a couple of spoken lines. In short, she wasn't setting the stage world on fire.

She attempted films for the first time in 1922 Her first film was So sind die Männer (The Little Napoleon) (1923) which was followed by Tragödie der Liebe (Love Tragedy) (1923). On this last project, she met Rudolf Sieber and married him in 1924. The union lasted until his death in 1976 although they didn't live together the whole time.

The remainder of her early film career was generally filled with bit roles. After being seen in the German production of Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930) in 1930, Marlene was given a crack at Hollywood. Her first US film was Morocco (1930) with Gary Cooper, which was followed by Dishonored (1931). This latter movie had her cast as a street walker who is appointed a spy. The film was rather boring but was a success because of Marlene's presence. In 1932, Marlene filmed Shanghai Express (1932) which proved to be immensely popular, grossing $3 million. Once again, she was cast as a prostitute. The next film was Blonde Venus (1932) which turned out to be a horrible production. Her co-star was Cary Grant and once again she was cast as a prostitute.

During this period Dietrich had been typecast as a woman of low morals and she wanted different parts. Her chance came in 1939 in Destry Rides Again (1939) when she was cast as "Frenchy", a Western saloon hostess. This began a new direction for Marlene since it shed the previous typecasting. All through the 1940s, she appeared in well-produced, well-directed films such as Manpower (1942), The Spoilers (1942), The Lady Is Willing (1942) and Pittsburgh (1942).

Afterwards the roles came less frequently, perhaps one to two films every year. In 1945, Marlene didn't appear in any. She only made seven productions in the 1950's. Her last role of any substance was Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). Despite the lack of theatrical roles, Marlene still made appearances on the stage. However, by 1979, she was a shell of her former self. After breaking her leg in one performance, she never made a go of it in show business again.

Spending the last 12 years of her life bed-ridden, Marlene died on May 6, 1992 in Paris, France of kidney failure at the age of 90.

The Boys In the Backroom
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

See what the boys in the backroom will have
And tell them I'm having the same
Go see what the boys in the backroom will have
And give them the poison they name

And when I die don't spend my money
On flowers and my picture in a frame

[Chorus]
Just see what the boys in the backroom will have
And tell them I sighed and tell them I cried
And tell them I died of the same

And when I die don't buy a casket of silver
With the candles all aflame

Just see what the boys in the backroom will have
And tell them I sighed and tell them I cried
And tell them I died of the same

And when I die don't pay the preacher
For speaking of my glory and my fame

Just see what the boys in the backroom will have

And tell them I sighed and tell them I cried
And tell them I died of the same

Overall Meaning

In Marlene Dietrich's "The Boys in the Backroom," the singer is indulging in her desires and bitterness towards the world. Referring to the men in the backroom, she asks to know what they will have and to be served the same. She wants them to give her the poison they name, which most likely implies an alcoholic drink. The singer is quite elusive and sly-she does not openly communicate her desires but instead leans on innuendo and knowing looks. As death approaches, she instructs those around her not to spend money on extravagant funerals or to pay for preachers. Instead, she wants the boys in the backroom to have what she has had and to tell them that she died the same way.

There are a few interpretations of this song. One is that it's like a cautionary tale meant for the so-called "fallen woman." In this context, the song reflects alcoholism and self-destruction. Dietrich has also expressed the importance of the song in her career. In some interviews, she has expressed how she would not perform the song as a farewell action because it has been a vital part of her stardom. Also, "The Boys in the Backroom" first appeared in Destry Rides Again (1939), a Western film spoof that showcased Marlene Dietrich's vocal and comedic capabilities. She embodied the character of Frenchy, a saloon singer who performs the song in the saloon.

Line by Line Meaning

See what the boys in the backroom will have
Find out what the men in the hidden room are drinking

And tell them I'm having the same
Inform them that I'd like the same drink

Go see what the boys in the backroom will have
Head to the secluded area and ask what they'd like to drink

And give them the poison they name
Get them the drink they asked for

And when I die don't spend my money
After I'm gone, use my money wisely

On flowers and my picture in a frame
Don't waste it on flowers or portraits of me

Just see what the boys in the backroom will have
When I'm dead, ask the men in hiding what they want to drink

And tell them I sighed and tell them I cried
Inform them of my emotions before I passed

And tell them I died of the same
Let them know that I died with the same drink

And when I die don't buy a casket of silver
Don't spend my money on an expensive silver coffin

With the candles all aflame
And candles burning

And when I die don't pay the preacher
Don't waste my money on a preacher or ceremony

For speaking of my glory and my fame
To praise me and my accomplishments

Just see what the boys in the backroom will have
Instead, get the opinion of the men in hiding on what to do with the money

And tell them I sighed and tell them I cried
Let them know that I was emotional before passing

And tell them I died of the same
And inform them that I died enjoying the same drink as them

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANK LOESSER, FREDERICK HOLLANDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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