Michael Bublé’s introduction to the music of the swing era came to him through his grandfather, who filled his grandson’s ears with the sounds of The Mills Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others. As Bublé eagerly absorbed the recordings, he began to realize that he wanted to be a singer and that this style of music, virtually foreign to his own generation, was what he wanted to perform.
With his grandfather’s assistance, Bublé soon learned a whole catalog of tunes and gained experience and exposure by singing as a guest with several local bands. While still in his teen years, he won the Canadian Youth Talent Search, released several independent albums, and performed in a musical review titled Swing that traveled across the U.S. It wasn’t long before Bublé was introduced to Grammy-winning producer David Foster during a famous Canadian wedding of Brian Mulroney’s daughter Caroline Mulroney. He later signed his first major recording contract with Reprise Records after that encounter.
The two Canadians began work on a debut album that would incorporate Bublé’s aptitude for pop standards into songs that spanned several decades. His self-titled debut disc was released in early 2003, and featured jazzy takes on old standards like “Fever” and “The Way You Look Tonight” as well as newer classics like “Moondance” and “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”.
He finished off 2003 with an EP of holiday material, Let It Snow, and began 2004 with the live CD/DVD set Come Fly With Me. In 2005, It’s Time was a number one hit in Canada, Japan, Italy, and Australia, and made the top ten of both the UK and US. Later that year he released the live album Caught in the Act. More recently, Michael received a 2010 Grammy Award for 'Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album' for 'Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden.
Mack the Knife
Michael Bublé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has MacHeath, dear
And it keeps it way out of sight
When that shark bites with his teeth, dear
Scarlet billows begin to spread
Fancy gloves, though, wears our MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never, ever a trace of red
On the sidewalk, one Sunday mornin'
Lies a body oozin' life
Someone's sneakin' round that corner
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
Oh, there's a tugboat down
It's down by the river, don't you know
Where the cement bag's droopin' on down
Ooh, that cement is just
It's there for the weight, dear
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
Ya hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
Now MacHeath spends, he spends like a sailor
Could that boy have done somethin' rash?
Ah, Jenny Diver, look out Sukey Tawdry
Oh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, that line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack he's, Mack he's back in town
Ah, Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry
Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
Now that Mack, he's back in town
I said look out old Macky is back
The lyrics to Michael Bublé's "Mack the Knife" speaks of a notorious criminal, MacHeath or Macky, and the fear he instills in the community. The song begins with a description of a shark with "pretty teeth" that it shows off "pearly white." MacHeath is then compared to a jackknife, dangerous and deadly, but kept out of sight. When the shark bites, the "scarlet billows begin to spread," but MacHeath wears fancy gloves that ensure "there's never, never a trace of red."
The second verse talks about a body found on the sidewalk one Sunday morning, and someone is seen sneaking around the corner. The song asks the question, "Could that someone be Mack the Knife?" It suggests that MacHeath is back in town, with cement in a tugboat and his name is mentioned alongside "Louie Miller" who "disappeared" after drawing out all his cash. There's a sense of unease that this fearsome criminal could be responsible for his disappearance. The final verse mentions four women - Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry, Miss Lotte Lenya, and old Lucy Brown. The fearsome line of women forms to greet Macky, who is now back in town.
Overall, the song talks about a criminal's abilities to strike fear into the community, with his potential for violence, and the ease with which he is able to get away with his crimes. It's a warning to those who may get involved with him, mentioning how easily Louie Miller's money was taken. It's also a celebration of the criminal's return, and the excitement he brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
The criminal is charming and charismatic, like a shark flashing its teeth.
And it shows them pearly white
The criminal's charm is evident and attractive.
Just a jackknife has MacHeath, babe
The criminal is armed and dangerous with a simple weapon.
And it keeps it way out of sight
The criminal is skilled at hiding their weapon and their true intentions.
When that shark bites with his teeth, dear
When the criminal attacks, it is sudden and brutal.
Scarlet billows begin to spread
The aftermath of the attack is violent and bloody.
Fancy gloves, wears old MacHeath, babe
The criminal is stylish and puts effort into their appearance.
So there's never, never a trace of red
The criminal takes precautions to avoid leaving evidence behind.
On the sidewalk, one Sunday mornin
A scene of violence in public.
Lies a body oozin' life
The victim is dying or dead, bleeding out on the pavement.
Someone's sneakin' round that corner
The criminal is still at large and may be nearby.
Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
The criminal may have committed this crime.
Oh there's a tugboat down, down by the river dontcha know
The criminal may be involved in criminal activity on the waterfront.
Where a cement bag's just a'drooppin' on down
The criminal may be disposing of evidence or committing a crime at this location.
That cement's there, it's there for the weight, dear
The cement is being used to weigh down something heavy, like a body.
Five'll get ya ten old Macky's back in town
The criminal has a reputation and is suspected of returning to the area.
Now d'ja hear 'bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe
The criminal may have been involved in the disappearance of someone named Louie Miller.
After drawin' out all his hard-earned cash
The criminal may have taken Louie Miller's money.
Now MacHeath spends, he spends like a sailor
The criminal is not afraid to spend money recklessly or conspicuously.
Could that boy have done somethin' rash?
The criminal's behavior is suspicious and may have dangerous consequences.
Ahhhh Jenny Diver, ho, Sukey Tawdry
The criminal has a history of association with women who may be involved in criminal activity.
Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown
The criminal has a reputation for being involved with dangerous or criminal women.
Oh, the line forms on the right, babe
People are attracted to and willing to follow the criminal.
Now that Macky's back in town
The criminal's return to the area has stirred up excitement and fear.
Look out, old Macky is back!
The criminal's presence is alarming and may lead to more violence or crime.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marc Blitzstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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