Mack the Knife

song by Weill and Brecht

Also known as: “Moritat von Mackie Messer”

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

"Mack the Knife" is a song from the 1928 German musical drama Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera), a collaboration between composer Kurt Weill and writer Bertolt Brecht. The musical itself is an adaptation of John Gay's 1728 work, The Beggar's Opera.

In The Threepenny Opera, the song is known as the "Moritat von Mackie Messer" and is sung by a narrator introducing the antihero gangster Macheath, also known as Mackie Messer or "Mack the Knife." The song details his criminal exploits and the dark, satirical nature of the opera's London underworld setting. Weill's music for the opera, including this song, is characterized by its harsh, jazzy, and melancholic style, reflecting the social satire at the heart of the work. The song has since become a popular standard, performed by numerous artists across various genres.

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Kurt Weill
…“Moritat von Mackie Messer” (“Mack the Knife”) from Die Dreigroschenoper and “September Song” from Knickerbocker Holiday, have remained popular. Weill’s Concerto for violin, woodwinds, double bass, and percussion (1924), Symphony No. 1 (1921; “Berliner Sinfonie”), and Symphony No. 2 (1934; “Pariser Symphonie”), works praised for their qualities of invention…
Read More
…“Moritat von Mackie Messer” (“Mack the Knife”) from Die Dreigroschenoper and “September Song” from Knickerbocker Holiday, have remained popular. Weill’s Concerto for violin, woodwinds, double bass, and percussion (1924), Symphony No. 1 (1921; “Berliner Sinfonie”), and Symphony No. 2 (1934; “Pariser Symphonie”), works praised for their qualities of invention…
Read More

Bobby Darin
…finger-popping amoral swagger of “Mack the Knife” (1959). Though other adult hits followed, including “Beyond the Sea” (1960), it was “Mack” that became Darin’s signature song and earned him two Grammy Awards.
Read More
…finger-popping amoral swagger of “Mack the Knife” (1959). Though other adult hits followed, including “Beyond the Sea” (1960), it was “Mack” that became Darin’s signature song and earned him two Grammy Awards.
Read More