Discover the unforgettable Cabaret Songs from the musical Cabaret, a timeless score that captures the spirit of 1930s Berlin.
John Kander and Fred Ebb’s masterpiece, Cabaret, is renowned for its collection of musical theatre gems. From the rousing “Willkommen” to the poignant “Maybe This Time” and the cynical “Money,” the Cabaret songs are integral to the narrative of this iconic musical set in interwar Germany.
Cabaret transports audiences to early 1930s Berlin, amidst the burgeoning threat of Nazi Germany. The musical unfolds through the lives of those entwined with the decadent Kit Kat Club, including the vivacious English cabaret performer Sally Bowles, the observant American writer Cliff Bradshaw, the enigmatic Emcee, and the heartwarming yet tragic couple Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz.
As London Theatre eloquently puts it, Cabaret offers “the ultimate escape,” a dazzling portal to another era, providing respite from the everyday.
The critically acclaimed 2021 Cabaret revival cast recording, featuring Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee and Jessie Buckley as Sally Bowles, was released on January 20, 2023, allowing fans to relive the magic of these cabaret songs. Listen to the 2021 Cabaret cast recording and immerse yourself in the music.
Explore the rich tapestry of Cabaret music and plan your visit to the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End to experience these songs live.
Cabaret continues its residency at the Kit Kat Club in London.
Book your Cabaret tickets through London Theatre today.
“Willkommen”: The Overture to Decadence
“Willkommen,” the opening number, immediately plunges the audience into the world of the Kit Kat Club, a haven where societal norms are shed and inhibitions are left at the door. The Emcee, in his charismatic and unsettling manner, welcomes patrons with a multilingual greeting — “Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome” — setting the tone for the evening’s escapism. John Kander and Fred Ebb have revealed that the song’s distinctive vamp was one of the foundational musical ideas for Cabaret, guiding the overall direction of the score. In an interview with The Independent, they emphasized the intuitive nature of songwriting, stating, “When you find something you like, it tells you about the direction you want to go in. … you have to trust your unconscious.”
“So What?”: Acceptance in a Harsh World
The glamour of the cabaret is juxtaposed with the stark realities of 1930s Berlin. “So What?” sung by Fräulein Schneider, reveals the pragmatic survival instincts necessary in a precarious era. When forced to accept a reduced rent from Cliff Bradshaw, Schneider’s “So What?” becomes an anthem of resilience, a recognition that life demands compromise and acceptance of less-than-ideal circumstances. This cabaret song highlights the undercurrent of hardship beneath the shimmering surface of Berlin nightlife.
“Don’t Tell Mama”: Sally Bowles’s Entrance
“Don’t Tell Mama” marks the electrifying entrance of Sally Bowles. Introduced as the “Toast of Mayfair” by the Emcee, Sally bursts onto the scene with this flirtatious and provocative number. It’s a playful declaration of independence and a glimpse into her carefree, perhaps reckless, past. This cabaret song is a quintessential Sally Bowles performance, showcasing her brazen personality and captivating stage presence.
“Mein Herr”: Asserting Female Power
Sally Bowles continues to defy expectations with “Mein Herr,” a brassy and bold song of female empowerment. Backed by the Kit Kat Klub dancers, Sally takes center stage, rejecting male dominance and asserting her own terms in relationships. “Mein Herr” is a powerful cabaret song that underscores Sally’s independent spirit and refusal to be controlled.
“Perfectly Marvellous”: The Charm of Sally and Cliff’s Unlikely Romance
“Perfectly Marvellous” captures the burgeoning, if unconventional, relationship between Sally and Cliff. After Sally’s eviction from her previous living situation, Cliff reluctantly agrees to take her in. This upbeat duet explores the initial hesitations and eventual acceptance of their cohabitation, highlighting Sally’s irresistible charm and the unexpected turns life can take. It’s a lighter, more romantic cabaret song amidst the darker themes of the musical.
“Two Ladies”: A Risqué Roommate Situation
“Two Ladies” injects a dose of playful innuendo into the narrative. Performed by the Emcee with two female dancers, this suggestive song mirrors the unconventional living arrangement between Cliff and Sally. The catchy “Bee-dle-dee bee-dle-dee dee” refrain and the song’s cheeky lyrics add a layer of Kit Kat Club’s risqué humor to the exploration of relationships in Cabaret.
“It Couldn’t Please Me More (A Pineapple)”: Small Gestures, Big Meanings
In a tender moment, Herr Schultz woos Fräulein Schneider with a pineapple in “It Couldn’t Please Me More.” This simple gift, in the context of economic hardship, becomes a profound symbol of affection and generosity. This cabaret song, while musically lighter, reveals the depth of Schultz’s feelings and the poignant beauty found in small gestures, even amidst the growing darkness.
“Tomorrow Belongs to Me”: The Ominous Rise of Nationalism
“Tomorrow Belongs to Me” marks a chilling shift in Cabaret. Initially presented as a seemingly patriotic German folk song, sung by a young boy and then the ensemble, it gradually reveals its sinister undertones as a Nazi-inspired anthem. This cabaret song serves as a stark warning about the seductive and dangerous rise of nationalism, its beauty masking a dark and oppressive ideology. Its transformation into an alt-right anthem in modern times underscores its unsettling power.
“Maybe This Time”: A Ballad of Desperation and Hope
“Maybe This Time” is a deeply emotional ballad sung by Sally as she grapples with an unwanted pregnancy. Torn between hope and despair, Sally reflects on her past disappointments and clings to a fragile hope for future happiness. This cabaret song is a powerful exploration of vulnerability and the yearning for change, showcasing Sally’s inner turmoil beneath her outward bravado.
“Money”: Cynicism and Economic Reality
“Money” is the Emcee’s cynical ode to the driving force of the world. In this raucous number, he and the Kit Kat Klub girls underscore the pervasive influence of money, suggesting its corrupting power and its central role in society. This cabaret song resonates with the economic anxieties of the time and provides a commentary on materialism and survival.
“Married”: Love and Social Pressure
Herr Schultz’s proposal to Fräulein Schneider in “Married” is complicated by social pressures and anxieties. The revelation by Fräulein Kost that she has seen them together forces Schultz to propose to protect Schneider’s reputation. What begins as a pragmatic solution blossoms into genuine affection. This cabaret song highlights the complexities of relationships in a society governed by rigid social norms and increasing prejudice.
“Tomorrow Belongs to Me” (Reprise): Darkening Political Reality
The reprise of “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” at the end of Act One intensifies the encroaching threat. Kost’s revelation of Schultz’s Jewish identity to Ernst Ludwig shatters any illusions of safety. This chilling reprise underscores the pervasive danger and the inescapable rise of Nazi influence in Berlin, leaving audiences in suspense and fear for the characters’ futures.
“Kickline”: From Cabaret to Goose-Step
“Kickline,” the Act 2 opener, visually and musically embodies the corruption of the cabaret world by the encroaching Nazi regime. The dance routine begins with the energetic kickline of the Kit Kat Klub girls and the Emcee, but soon morphs into a regimented goose-step, symbolizing the militarization and loss of freedom in Berlin. This cabaret song and dance number is a powerful metaphor for the insidious creep of fascism.
“If You Could See Her (The Gorilla Song)”: Prejudice and “Othering”
“If You Could See Her (The Gorilla Song)” is a controversial and deeply disturbing cabaret song. Performed by the Emcee with a gorilla, it initially seems to promote acceptance beyond appearances. However, the punchline, “She doesn’t look Jewish at all,” reveals the song’s true, unsettling message: antisemitism. The gorilla becomes a dehumanizing symbol of Jewish people in Nazi propaganda, exposing the insidious nature of prejudice.
“What Would You Do?”: Moral Dilemmas in Times of Crisis
“What Would You Do?” is Fräulein Schneider’s agonizing question as she confronts the impossibility of her marriage to Herr Schultz due to rising antisemitism. This powerful cabaret song forces both Schneider and the audience to confront difficult moral choices in the face of political persecution. Cliff’s attempts to reason with her highlight the agonizing dilemmas of survival in a totalitarian state.
“I Don’t Care Much”: Sally’s Denial and Escape
“I Don’t Care Much” reveals Sally’s willful denial of the political realities and her desperate retreat into the escapism of the Kit Kat Club. Despite Cliff’s pleas to leave Berlin, Sally defiantly chooses to ignore the danger, clinging to the illusion of beauty and freedom within the cabaret. This cabaret song showcases Sally’s tragic flaw: her inability to confront reality.
“Cabaret”: Life as Performance and Escape
“Cabaret,” the titular song, is Sally’s ultimate declaration of escapism. She embraces the philosophy of living in the moment, shutting out the looming darkness. “Life is a cabaret, old chum,” she sings, advocating for a life of performance and distraction as a shield against pain and fear. This iconic cabaret song is both a celebration of life’s fleeting pleasures and a tragic testament to denial.
“Willkommen” (Reprise): A Dark Echo of Welcome
The final “Willkommen” reprise bookends the musical with a chilling transformation. While the lyrics remain the same, the tone is now sinister and hollow. The Emcee’s welcoming gesture now feels like a trap, and the entrance of all the Cabaret characters in single file, stripped of their individuality, underscores the devastating consequences of the political climate. This final cabaret song is a haunting and unforgettable conclusion.
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