Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" Turns 50
February 14, 2010

It’s hard to believe that a half century has gone by since Bobby Darin, a young rock ‘n’ roll teen idol from the Bronx, decided to change the route of his journey to superstardom by turning from rock to swinging the standards. In 1959 he recorded his first album of songs titled That's All. The first track on the first side, “Mack the Knife,” vaulted into the stratosphere, made #1 and stayed there for nine weeks. It won the Grammy award for Song of the Year and Bobby Darin won a Grammy as Best New Artist. From that point on, Darin made it a career habit of startling his audience with creative, original interpretations of familiar songs and turns of direction.

MTK remains one of the greatest and most popular recordings of the 20th century. As recently as November of 2008, Billboard rated “Mack the Knife” as #3 of the 20th century. We can imagine that given the chance, Bobby would be brashly demanding to know why it wasn’t rated #1.

Eclectic in taste and versatile in talent, Bobby Darin was an artist capable of greatness in a time where none was expected in a popular singer - when a singer was relegated to one box and told to meet the expectations of his audience. In carving a career whereby Darin liked to challenge and surprise his audience, he also insisted on pleasing himself and followed his own, singular artistic journey. His choice of interpreting Mack the Knife as a swinging, yet ultimately murderous lover was just the beginning of his audaciousness.

Let us raise a glass to Bobby Darin and toast his immortal recording of “Mack the Knife,” and then let us not forget to toast his creative cohort Richard Wess, the arranger who took half-step modulations and big band counter melodies to new heights and made them a Darin trademark.

Though we hope and keep searching for, and then smile at the number of singers who try the Darin mantle on for size, we all know deep in our hearts that Darin was a one-of-a-kind and, thus far, irreplaceable. At the same time, we also take heart in knowing that his music lives on and will as long as there are people who listen to music for pleasure.

Bobby Darin, the quintessential performer and his rip-roaring “Mack” survived the changes in popular music that occurred over the past fifty years. From folk-rock, through punk and hip-hop, Darin and “Mack” are still here and selling CDs for all time. Let us also take note that two more Darin forever-songs turned 50 this year: “Beyond The Sea” and “Dream Lover.” Put them on your player or turntable and give them a listen. They will sound clever, vital, and strikingly modern.

“Mack the Knife” was just the beginning point of an extraordinary career that was filled with a unique vision forged from passion, heart, intelligence and sensuous stylishness. Thirty-six years beyond his passing, its end point has yet to be determined. His stature continues to rise as his influence on young artists continues to grow. Amazing.

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