Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill created the first version of the opera Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny in 1927. A full three-act version was released three years later.
The opera is set in the fictional city of Mahagonny, which was founded in the desert by escaped prisoners. Poverty is considered the only crime in this place, and the main value is money and vicious entertainment. One of the heroes is even executed for being unable to pay his debts.
The premiere of the work in Leipzig was a revelation for the public, and critics praised it in every way. Although now the opera is rarely staged, we all know one of the compositions that sounded in it.
History of creation and meaning of Alabama Song
We are talking about the song Alabama Song (also known as Whiskey Bar and Moon of Alabama), which was brilliantly covered by The Doors.
However, someone will surely like the version of David Bowie, Dalida or one of the dozens of other musicians who sang it over the years. Even Marilyn Manson periodically pleases fans of his Alabama Song at live concerts.
In the opera The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, it is sung by fallen women, and deep subtext is hidden in the words. But after Jim Morrison sang it, the song began to be taken literally, which is not surprising, given the lifestyle lead singer of The Doors.
Interesting Facts
- The Doors slightly changed the original lyrics of the song. Instead of the words “show us the way to the next pretty boy”, the phrase “show me the way to the next little girl” sounds, and the lines “show me the way to the next little dollar” you don’t have their version at all.
- The idea to record the Alabama Song and include it on The Doors album belonged to Ray Manzarek, who had a record of German songs.
Alabama Song Lyrics
Well, show me the way
To the next whiskey bar
Oh don’t ask why
Oh don’t ask why
For if we don’t find
The next whiskey bar
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you
I tell you
I tell you we must die.
Oh moon of Alabama
We must now say goodbye
We have lost our good old mama
And must have whiskey, oh, you know why!
Oh moon of Alabama
We must now say goodbye
We have lost our good old mama
And must have whiskey, oh, you know why!
Well, show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh don’t ask why
Oh don’t ask why
For if we don’t find
The next little girl
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you
I tell you
I tell you we must die
Oh moon of Alabama
We must now say goodbye
We have lost our good old mama
And must have whiskey, oh, you know why!
Alabama Song Lyrics
Well show me the way
To the next whiskey bar
Oh don’t ask me why
Oh don’t ask me why
Because if we don’t find
Next whiskey bar
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
I’m telling you,
I’m telling you,
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
Oh moon of Alabama
Now it’s time for us to say goodbye
We have lost our good old mother
And have to drink whiskey, oh you know why!
Oh moon of Alabama
Now it’s time for us to say goodbye
We have lost our good old mother
And have to drink whiskey, oh you know why!
Well show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh don’t ask me why
Oh don’t ask me why
Because if we don’t find
next little girl
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
I’m telling you,
I’m telling you,
I’m telling you it looks like we’re going to die
Oh moon of Alabama
Now it’s time for us to say goodbye
We have lost our good old mother
And have to drink whiskey, oh you know why!
