Despite the smooth, cool cat stylings of Bobby Darin, "Mack the Knife" is edgier than anything from the Gangsta rap crowd. Listen to the lyrics about life oozing out as Darin tells the story about a murderer. Mack is a murderer, rapist, and arsonist. He'd probably cut up 50 cent before old 50 knew what hit him.
Despite being associated with Darin, the song is a cover of a 1956 song from Louis Armstrong. The original version stems from a 1928 play. The 1928 play has its origins in the Middle Ages. Simon Cowell calls "Mack the Knife" the greatest song ever written.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qrjtr_uFac
