The Not-Pop Jukebox

I've been concentrating on my cover songs and standards pages at Squidoo, of late, and today it was time to update my Mack the Knife lens. As usual, I was moved to listen to many versions of the song, mostly from well-known swing artists and crooners. I did, however, come across some unusual versions of Mac's story that I wanted to share with you all.

Sting most immediately caught my attention, in a more traditional arrangement than the one I've included below from Gerald Price in an off-Broadway production that sounds more like Sinatra than Kurt Weil had intended the stage production to play. The Doors sound exactly like The Doors and The Psychedelic Furs are also true to form, here. Cab Calloway offers a short but enjoyable trip through Mac the Knife's story, with full horns and his usual flair. I've declined to include the better-known Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Ella Fitzgerald versions here, as you can hear them just about anywhere.

Here you'll find thirteen version of Mack the Knife, including those I've mentioned above, Enya's version from The Frog Prince, and Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and more. If you're interested in the history of the song, do click above to learn more and please let me know if I've missed your favorite version.