The Meaning Behind The Song: Cell Block Tango by Chita Rivera
Cell Block Tango is a popular song from the 1975 musical Chicago, composed by John Kander and written by Fred Ebb. The song features the six merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail, who tell their stories of how they ended up behind bars. With its catchy tune and dark lyrics, Cell Block Tango has captured the attention of audiences for decades.
Table of Contents
About the Song
Title: Cell Block Tango
Artist: Chita Rivera (among others)
Writer/Composer: Fred Ebb and John Kander
Album: Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville (Original Broadway Cast) (1975)
Release Date: 1975
Genre: Musical, Jazz
Duration: 7 minutes and 19 seconds
Producer: Phil Ramone, Martin Richards, Joseph Harris, Ira Bernstein, and Didier C. Deutsch
The Stories Behind the Bars
The song begins with the Emcee introducing the six merry murderesses, who proceed to sing the catchy refrain of “Pop! Six! Squish! Uh uh! Cicero, Lipschitz!” This sets the tone for the dark and humorous stories that follow.
Each verse is sung by a different character, and their stories range from acts of revenge to crimes of passion. Liz, played by Chita Rivera, sings about how she killed her husband, Bernie, for repeatedly popping his gum. Annie, another character, shares her story of discovering that her boyfriend was married to six other women and took matters into her own hands. June recounts how her husband accused her of infidelity and she ended up stabbing him multiple times.
Hunyak, the only non-English speaking character, sings in Hungarian and proclaims her innocence, despite the accusations against her. Velma, played by Chita Rivera in the original Broadway production, tells the tale of her and her sister’s double act. When she catches her sister and husband in a compromising position, she becomes so overwhelmed with shock that she doesn’t remember killing them.
Lastly, Mona shares her story of a failed relationship with an artist named Alvin Lipschitz. She describes how Alvin constantly searched for himself and ended up finding other women along the way. When Mona sees him as a threat to their relationship, she takes matters into her own hands.
The deeper meaning
On the surface, Cell Block Tango is a darkly humorous and entertaining song. However, it also explores themes of love, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves. Each murderess in the song feels justified in their actions and believes that the men “had it coming.”
Although their stories are exaggerated and extreme, the song highlights the complexities of human nature and our capacity for revenge. It challenges the listener to question notions of right and wrong and how far they themselves would go in a similar situation.
Personal Connection
As a fan of musical theater, Cell Block Tango has always been one of my favorite songs. Its powerful, catchy melody and clever lyrics make it a standout in the show. Whenever I listen to it, I can’t help but be drawn into the stories of the murderesses and their motivations.
While I’ve never committed a crime myself, I can relate to the emotions behind the characters’ actions. We all have moments of anger, betrayal, and a desire for justice. Cell Block Tango captures these emotions in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Overall, Cell Block Tango is a song that has stood the test of time. Its dark humor, catchy tune, and thought-provoking lyrics make it a memorable piece of musical theater. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a story, and sometimes the line between right and wrong can become blurred.
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