Acting the song so perfectly. A real performer. What a treat to watch her and listen to her fantastic voice which she used to full potential. Wonderful!
Stangely moving despite Lenya's limited vocal resources. In fact it may be the vocal fragility, complementing the distress of the text, that makes this performance so heart-wrenching.
I've listened to and enjoyed this music for decades, but it never occurred to me to find it on TH-cam and actually have Rosa Klebb sing it straight into my office...Absolutely marvelous.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this fascinating woman, but, my best friend, Jill (who died out 5 years ago) had worked with her, and she (my friend) was a (very) young woman, staring in a new broadway show with her, and Ms. Lenya took her under her wing. She loved Lotte - she wasn't a 'pussycat', but, was (exterior to the public0, a 'tough cookie 😉, and told me all these wonderful stories - about her. A true 'singularity of force'.
@tonyinvan She does it on one of her "Weill" albums. It's SUPERB !!! I'm sure Lenya would have endorsed it as well. The heart-pendant Lenya wears in this video she gave to Stratas on the eve of her Mahoganny debut at the Met (1978). Weill had given it to Lenya on the eve of the 3-Penny Opera debut in Berlin.
Lucky to have this classic from Happy End, Weill-Brecht opera that opened in Berlin 1929 and no doubt with Lenya as original performer--though this is a postwar German-US collaboration. Imagine the glory of U Tub and what it would have taken to even see this clip ten years ago. Keep 'em coming!
This video shows why Lenya remains an icon, especially in the repetoire. Having now heard more legit singers doing the Weill songs (Teresa Stratas anyone), I would not want to only have this interpretation, however I sure as heck would not want to not have it.
Yes, but “legit singers “? Teresa Stratas, a great singer of Weiil songs put Lenya above herself. there will always be those who disparage Lenya but there will always be most of us who cherish her as a great performer, and the greatest performer of her husband’s songs.
The mention of Canadian singer Teresa Stratas made me remember a superb video of her doing this song totally in character of a jilted woman. I wish it was available on youtube. Anybody have it?
It was two years before this film was made that Louie Armstrong recording his version of Mack The Knife. Supposedly Lotte was in the studio watching him, and he added her name in the lyrics off-the-cuff. Apparently she liked it.
I heard Lenya tell how she asked Brecht about his theories of Epic Theater. "Brecht," she said, "I don't know what this is, this Epic Theater of yours. Please explain it to me." "Lenya," Brecht said, "Anything you do when you are on stage, that is Epic theater."
Amazing! I do not speak German but I feel I understand it all. I can tell when she has "righteous indignation" and when she has "sorrow", What a GREAT actress!!! And that Johnny bastid better WATCH OUT cuz I can tell don't MESS WITH HER LOL tee hee!!!
Brilliant! I've heard many different versions of this song and this one is paticularly moving. Now the big question: What the heck does "surabaya" mean?
Robert Wilson's Tom Waits collaborations have produced some marvelous songs. The Alice and Blood Money Albums, have really wonderful music in them, and I hear they are not done. The orchestrations of the songs are also brilliant.
Wonderful! And I think she is beautiful! Choosing to ignore comments from morons whose criteria is reducing someone down to what they regard as attractive.
I was luckly enough to see Lenya twice. The first time was pure luck: there was a touring company of Three Penny Opera. The Lenya role was acted by Anna Sten and the showing was doing badly and to "save" it Lenya was brought in. She was a thrilling performer with great charisma. The second time was when the NY City ballet toured to California during the summer time and the Seven Deadly Sins was part of the rep. I enjoy ballet but the thought of seeing Lenya again was irrisistible. It is shocking that she appeared in so few movies and stage plays during her life after the death of Weil. Perhaps her choice or more probably the lack of imagination on the part of producers and director.
Being exposed to Brecht at age 15 was what caused me to study it in high school, University and beyond. Without a knowledge of German, I think it is impossible to really grasp Brecht. Rather like Baudelaire and French. Very difficult to translate. But Lenya? Surabaya Johnny, Alabama song, Benares Song. Anyone can grasp the artistry of Lenya. Knowledge of German not required.
Ich war jung, Gott, erst sechzehn Jahre Du kamest von Burma herauf Du sagtest, ich solle mit dir gehen Du kämest für alles auf Ich fragte nach deiner Stellung Du sagtest, so wahr ich hier steh' Du hättest zu tun mit der Eisenbahn Und nichts zu tun mit der See Du sagtest viel, Johnny Kein Wort war wahr, Johnny Du hast mich betrogen, Johnny, zur ersten Stund Ich hasse dich so, Johnny Wie du dastehst und grinst, Johnny Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh? Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh? Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so Zuerst war es immer Sonntag Das war, bis ich mitging mit dir Aber dann, schon nach zwei Wochen War dir nichts mehr recht an mir Hinauf und hinab durch den Pandschab Den Fluß entlang bis zur See Ich sehe schon aus im Spiegel Wie eine Vierzigjährige Du wolltest nicht Liebe, Johnny Du wolltest Geld, Johnny Ich aber sah, Johnny, nur auf deinen Mund Du verlangtest alles, Johnny Ich gab dir mehr, Johnny Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund! Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh? Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh? Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so Ich habe es nicht beachtet Warum du den Namen hast Doch an der ganzen langen Küste Warst du ein bekannter Gast Eines Morgens in einem Six-Pence-Bett Werd ich donnern hören die See Und du gehst, ohne etwas zu sagen Und ein Schiff liegt unten am Kai Du hast kein Herz, Johnny Du bist ein Schuft, Johnny Du gehst jetzt weg, Johnny, sag mir den Grund! Ich liebe dich doch, Johnny Wie am ersten Tag, Johnny Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh? Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh? Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so
Such an artist. Who would believe that this woman is the one who played Rosa Klebb, the evil bitch secret agent with the poisonous shoes in "From Russia with Love" :) Miss her
i guess they .the broadcasting network decide to use the the color video tape for other reasons economically and printed it on film for archives.the should of used color film for this Unless it was b and w tape
It's not heavy Austrian accent (whatever that may be - we have a lot of very different sounding accents in our small country) - but German speaking people, especially with Austrian background can hear nonetheless, that she's from Austrian/Viennese Origin.
@carsanookdotcom Oh my dear!!!! GDR was a dictatory regime. Artists were only sponsored, when they accepted all restrictions. If that is then support of culture in the sense, many of us wnat to see, I personally doubt very much. And Lotte Lenya does not need such.
Her efforts to keep the legacy of her husband Kurt Weill's music alive for future generations was monumental
An unbelievable performance by the only person really able to do so
Acting the song so perfectly. A real performer. What a treat to watch her and listen to her fantastic voice which she used to full potential. Wonderful!
What kind of happiness she can give to me
nothing can replace her BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
my heart moves
Timeless... Enchanting... Breath taking woman and voice... Much love to all her fans... God Bless Madame Lotte Lenya.
Stangely moving despite Lenya's limited vocal resources. In fact it may be the vocal fragility, complementing the distress of the text, that makes this performance so heart-wrenching.
Mein Gott, wie ich dieses Stück gesucht habe. Vielen Dank fürs Posten....xx
Unbelievable. Heartbreaking. Cataclysmic. My God she was a genius.
I've listened to and enjoyed this music for decades, but it never occurred to me to find it on TH-cam and actually have Rosa Klebb sing it straight into my office...Absolutely marvelous.
This is an extraordinary performance. Such a good actor.
Ich Liebe diese Musik 💗
The definitive version, by the one and only!!! 💔 💔 💔
Lenya thru her husband's music draws us into one hopelessly in love. A singing artist.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this fascinating woman, but, my best friend, Jill (who died out 5 years ago) had worked with her, and she (my friend) was a (very) young woman, staring in a new broadway show with her, and Ms. Lenya took her under her wing. She loved Lotte - she wasn't a 'pussycat', but, was (exterior to the public0, a 'tough cookie 😉, and told me all these wonderful stories - about her. A true 'singularity of force'.
@tonyinvan She does it on one of her "Weill" albums. It's SUPERB !!! I'm sure Lenya would have endorsed it as well. The heart-pendant Lenya wears in this video she gave to Stratas on the eve of her Mahoganny debut at the Met (1978). Weill had given it to Lenya on the eve of the 3-Penny Opera debut in Berlin.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Diese Stimme, diese Gestik! Unvergleichlich.
astounding
Lucky to have this classic from Happy End, Weill-Brecht opera that opened in Berlin 1929 and no doubt with Lenya as original performer--though this is a postwar German-US collaboration. Imagine the glory of U Tub and what it would have taken to even see this clip ten years ago. Keep 'em coming!
Unfortunately Lenya was not a part of Happy End's original cast.
es impresionante esta mujerrr, impresionante...
Fantastisch! Ich heb niemend es vor horen.
das ist unglaublich schön!
einmaliges video!wunderbar!
Saul Bolasni once painted Lotte Lenya. He is my personal friend, despite the difference in age. Lotte is great.
Phantastische Leistung ! Wunderbar!
This video shows why Lenya remains an icon, especially in the repetoire. Having now heard more legit singers doing the Weill songs (Teresa Stratas anyone), I would not want to only have this interpretation, however I sure as heck would not want to not have it.
Yes, but “legit singers “? Teresa Stratas, a great singer of Weiil songs put Lenya above herself. there will always be those who disparage Lenya but there will always be most of us who cherish her as a great performer, and the greatest performer of her husband’s songs.
I think she is beautiful.
Magnificent!
This may sound weird, but watching her is like watching some sort of twisted Judy Garland. Her singing and facial expressions are so mesmerizing.
Incredible. Really.
The mention of Canadian singer Teresa Stratas made me remember a superb video of her doing this song totally in character of a jilted woman. I wish it was available on youtube. Anybody have it?
RIP
Lotte Lenya
(1898-1981)
Einfach grossartig!
Just saw the 1931 film of "The Threepenny Opera" this week. Seek that out!!
Check her out in the Bond movie "From Russia with Love" if you haven't seen that yet!
First heard this by Bette Midler in the 70s but Lenya owns it.
I'm partial to Marianne Faithfull's version
@UandMeKid Ah! I've done a little research to answer my own question. Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia! Now I know.
She's had her kicks!!!
Reading a biography of her now by Donald Spoto she grew up in abject poverty. She was put on the streets when she 12.
Too painful, too tragic, too distressing as always like decades ago
It was two years before this film was made that Louie Armstrong recording his version of Mack The Knife. Supposedly Lotte was in the studio watching him, and he added her name in the lyrics off-the-cuff. Apparently she liked it.
I heard Lenya tell how she asked Brecht about his theories of Epic Theater.
"Brecht," she said, "I don't know what this is, this Epic Theater of yours. Please explain it to me."
"Lenya," Brecht said, "Anything you do when you are on stage, that is Epic theater."
Haha, she played Rosa Klebb, with the gleaming shoes..., in "From Russia With Love"... : )))
great lady
Amazing! I do not speak German but I feel I understand it all. I can tell when she has "righteous indignation" and when she has "sorrow", What a GREAT actress!!! And that Johnny bastid better WATCH OUT cuz I can tell don't MESS WITH HER LOL tee hee!!!
Brilliant! I've heard many different versions of this song and this one is paticularly moving. Now the big question: What the heck does "surabaya" mean?
Surayaba is a port in Indonesia; Johnny was a sailor nicknamed for it.
Fine Song!
0:51 I think I've heard that song somewhere else. Has potential.
"Seele gerettet..."
Mrs. Tiriviri Gonzales from Mrs.Stone Roman Spring
extraordinary. Isn't this the same actress who appeared in "From Russia With Love"? She was a fabulous Bond villain.
Robert Wilson's Tom Waits collaborations have produced some marvelous songs. The Alice and Blood Money Albums, have really wonderful music in them, and I hear they are not done. The orchestrations of the songs are also brilliant.
Wonderful! And I think she is beautiful! Choosing to ignore comments from morons whose criteria is reducing someone down to what they regard as attractive.
Lenya was found enchanting to her many, many lovers; if you can’t see why in her performances and interviews you belong with Barbie.
Nothing to make believe text and music of a song as an actress who knows to sing, or/and a singer who knows to act.
I was luckly enough to see Lenya twice. The first time was pure luck: there was a touring
company of Three Penny Opera. The Lenya role was acted by Anna Sten and the showing was doing badly and to "save" it Lenya was brought in. She was a thrilling performer with great charisma. The second time was when the NY City ballet toured to California during the summer time and the Seven Deadly Sins was part of the rep. I enjoy ballet but the thought of seeing Lenya again was irrisistible. It is shocking that she appeared in so few movies and stage plays during her life after the death of Weil. Perhaps her choice or more probably the lack of imagination on the part of producers and director.
MS Lenya, is also the Russian superior in To Russia with Love!!!...James Bond
the Basilio, l'opera si chiama Happy end.
ciao!
I have them. I can scan it and email it to you if you want. They are from the album Lotte Lenya sings Berlin Theatre songs by Kurt Weill (Columbia)
she had her kicks
this song is on my list of 5 reasons to learn German. Has anyone got her doing Bilbao song? please upload
Being exposed to Brecht at age 15 was what caused me to study it in high school, University and beyond. Without a knowledge of German, I think it is impossible to really grasp Brecht. Rather like Baudelaire and French. Very difficult to translate. But Lenya? Surabaya Johnny, Alabama song, Benares Song. Anyone can grasp the artistry of Lenya. Knowledge of German not required.
Muse sings his songs!
@mhender668 German is her native language... Albeit, I suppose, with an Austrian accent.
Ich war jung, Gott, erst sechzehn Jahre
Du kamest von Burma herauf
Du sagtest, ich solle mit dir gehen
Du kämest für alles auf
Ich fragte nach deiner Stellung
Du sagtest, so wahr ich hier steh'
Du hättest zu tun mit der Eisenbahn
Und nichts zu tun mit der See
Du sagtest viel, Johnny
Kein Wort war wahr, Johnny
Du hast mich betrogen, Johnny, zur ersten Stund
Ich hasse dich so, Johnny
Wie du dastehst und grinst, Johnny
Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh?
Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh?
Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so
Zuerst war es immer Sonntag
Das war, bis ich mitging mit dir
Aber dann, schon nach zwei Wochen
War dir nichts mehr recht an mir
Hinauf und hinab durch den Pandschab
Den Fluß entlang bis zur See
Ich sehe schon aus im Spiegel
Wie eine Vierzigjährige
Du wolltest nicht Liebe, Johnny
Du wolltest Geld, Johnny
Ich aber sah, Johnny, nur auf deinen Mund
Du verlangtest alles, Johnny
Ich gab dir mehr, Johnny
Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund!
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh?
Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh?
Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so
Ich habe es nicht beachtet
Warum du den Namen hast
Doch an der ganzen langen Küste
Warst du ein bekannter Gast
Eines Morgens in einem Six-Pence-Bett
Werd ich donnern hören die See
Und du gehst, ohne etwas zu sagen
Und ein Schiff liegt unten am Kai
Du hast kein Herz, Johnny
Du bist ein Schuft, Johnny
Du gehst jetzt weg, Johnny, sag mir den Grund!
Ich liebe dich doch, Johnny
Wie am ersten Tag, Johnny
Nimm doch die Pfeife aus dem Maul, du Hund
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bist du so roh?
Surabaya-Johnny, mein Gott, und ich liebe dich so
Surabaya-Johnny, warum bin ich nicht froh?
Du hast kein Herz, Johnny, und ich liebe dich so
where can I find the German lyrics?
Thanks!
Such an artist. Who would believe that this woman is the one who played Rosa Klebb, the evil bitch secret agent with the poisonous shoes in "From Russia with Love" :)
Miss her
I guess the recording is from 1955, is that right?
real...
KLEBB!
I can post them. Is there a place I can post them for everyone?
i guess they .the broadcasting network decide to use the the color video tape for other reasons economically and printed it on film for archives.the should of used color film for this Unless it was b and w tape
@mhender668 you are
brecht didn´t want singers for his plays just "singing actors" there´s a obvious difference
So und nicht anders
What did she say? Surabaya Johnny?
Johny isnt taking his pipe out of his mouth, its annoying.
damme
Oft kopiert und nie erreicht - Lotte Lenya !!!
Die einzige die ähnliche Qualitäten besitzt ist Gisela May .
Did you get the German text. I can email it to you along with an English singing translation. Best. Octavio
Absolut Niemand kann das so ausdrücken wie sie (naja, Gisela May vielleicht)
Немецкая Эдит Пиаф....
I have rarely ever heard a song that inspired my fantasy that much.
Btw in this song she does NOT sing with an Austrian accent!
It's not heavy Austrian accent (whatever that may be - we have a lot of very different sounding accents in our small country) - but German speaking people, especially with Austrian background can hear nonetheless, that she's from Austrian/Viennese Origin.
Na du scheinst es ja beurteilen zu können.....
mein Gott.
@carsanookdotcom
Oh my dear!!!! GDR was a dictatory regime. Artists were only sponsored, when they accepted all restrictions. If that is then support of culture in the sense, many of us wnat to see, I personally doubt very much.
And Lotte Lenya does not need such.
Good DDR bra manufacturing, maybe?
Lotte Lenya And Kurt Weill hauled ass out of Nazi Germany, didn’t hang around for the DDR like Brecht.
what a horrible tune & the singer is no beauty either (Col. Klebb)...
ftjax She was young when she starred in HAPPY END.
this song is on my list of 5 reasons to learn German. Has anyone got her doing Bilbao song? please upload