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100's Of Free Demos & Chord Sheets

Bobby Darin Mack The Knife & More
On Acoustic Guitar

bobbydarin

Welcome to my Bobby Darin Mack The Knife page where you can see how I play Bobby Darin hits on the acoustic.

Bobby Darin was an American singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame during the 1950s and 1960s with his unique blend of rock and roll, jazz, and pop music. Born in New York City in 1936, Darin overcame childhood illness to become one of the most successful entertainers of his era, with hit songs like "Mack the Knife," "Beyond the Sea," and "Dream Lover."

He was a versatile performer who could sing and play multiple instruments, and his talent earned him numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award, an Academy Award nomination, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Below are free demos, pdf chord sheets, rhythm tips and some info on each song. I'll be including Billy Currington album covers to indicate the origin of each song.

Jump links to quickly access Bobby Darin songs sections.


Bobby Darin Mack The Knife & More
Demos, Lyrics, Chords, Tutorials

1. Dream Lover

dream lover bobby darin song

Dream Lover was written by Bobby Darin himself and released it in 1959. The song was a success and hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and #4 on the R&B. It did reach #1 in the UK. Neil Sedaka played piano on the track for Darin.

The song has a catchy melody and a romantic theme, with Darin singing about his desire for a perfect lover who will "rock [him] to sleep every night." The arrangement features a prominent bassline and a driving beat, which were hallmarks of Darin's early rock and roll sound.

Over the years, "Dream Lover" has become a pop standard and has been covered by many other artists, including Dion, The Four Seasons, and Mariah Carey. The song has also been featured in various movies, TV shows, and commercials, cementing its place in popular culture. 

The track can be found on "The Bobby Darin Story" album from 1959.

Below is my Dream Lover Bobby Darin cover.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: root down up down up root up down up ad repeat - with a few downstroke chops
  • Picking: Yes
  • Chords: G, Em, D, C, A7, D7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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2. If I Were A Carpenter

if i were a carpenter dream lover bobby darin song

If I Were A Carpenter is a song that Bobby Darin recorded in 1966. It was originally written by Tim Hardin, an American folk musician and songwriter, and was first released on his 1967 album, "Tim Hardin 2." Darin's cover of the song became a hit, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.

The lyrics of the song describe a man's love for a woman and his desire to build a life with her, even though he is not wealthy or powerful. Darin's smooth vocals and a simple acoustic arrangement with guitar, bass, and drums, resonated with audiences, making it one of his most enduring and beloved hits.

Over the years, "If I Were a Carpenter" has been covered by many other artists, including Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, The Four Tops, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

The track can be found on the album lf the same name.

Chords & Lyrics

 

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3. Lazy River

lazy river dream lover bobby darin song

Lazy River is an old 1930's tune that Drain recorded for his "The Bobby Darin Story" album from 1961 and the single scored a #14 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin and was first recorded in 1931 by Louis Armstrong.

The lyrics of the song describe a carefree and lazy day spent by a river, and the joy and relaxation that comes with being surrounded by nature.

The song showcases Darin's signature upbeat, swinging style, with a jazzy arrangement and a prominent horn section. His vocals on the song are smooth and confident, and he adds his own touch to the melody with some scat singing and improvisation.

Darin's recording was well-received by audiences and helped to cement his reputation as a dynamic and versatile performer and remains a classic to this day.  The track has also been featured in various movies and TV shows, cementing its place in popular culture.

Over the years, "Lazy River" has been covered by many other artists, including Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, and Michael Bublé.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: root down up root up down up and repeat 
  • Picking: No
  • Chords: B7, E7, A7, D, G, Ddim
Chords & Lyrics

 

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4. Mack The Knife

mack the knife bobby darin song

Mack The Knife actually hails from Germany and was originally written by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 musical "The Threepenny Opera." 

The song was translated and likely changed slightly to English and in 1959 Darin's cover of the song was released as a single and became a huge hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and winning a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1960.

The lyrics of the song describe a notorious criminal named Mackie Messer (or Mack the Knife) and his various exploits, including murder, robbery, and arson.

Strangely enough, Dick Clark advised Darin not to record the song, but he later admitted he'd made a mistake with that advice. Old blue eyes Frank Sinatra recorded a version but said that Bobby Darin's version was THE version.

Overall, "Mack the Knife" is a lively and iconic song that showcases Bobby Darin's vocal talent and his ability to interpret classic jazz and pop standards. His recording of the song is a timeless classic that continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by music fans around the world.

The song is found on the "That's All" album from 1958.

  • Drop D Tuning: No
  • Capo: No
  • Rhythm: root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking: No
  • Chords: A#, Cm, F, A#dim, F#, B, Dbm, Gb, Bdim/Ab, G, C, Dm, G7, Cdim/A, G#, C#, A7, D, Em, D, Ddim, A#, D#, Fm, D#dim, Fm, Eb7th
Chords & Lyrics

 

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5. Splish Splash

splish splash bobby darin song

Splish Splash was written by Bobby Darin and his friend, DJ Murray "The K" Kaufman and was recorded by Darin in 1958. The song was inspired by a conversation they had about the popularity of dance songs with nonsense lyrics.

The song became a huge hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and was backed by a lively arrangement with handclaps, saxophone, and piano.

The lyrics of the song describe a wild party that gets out of hand, with people dancing and splashing around in the water.

Over the years, "Splish Splash" has been covered by many other artists, including The Beach Boys, Dion, and Sha Na Na.

The track is located on his 1958 album Bobby Darin.

Chords & Lyrics

 

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Bobby Darin's legacy as a musician and performer continues to inspire and entertain new generations of fans. His innovative approach to music, combining elements of different genres and styles, helped pave the way for future artists and shaped the course of popular music in the decades that followed.

Although he passed away at a young age, his influence can still be felt in the work of countless musicians today. Bobby Darin remains an icon of American music and a beloved figure in the hearts of music lovers around the world.

Thanks for dropping by my Bobby Darin Mack The Knife page and I hope the info here was helpful.


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