Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag

The song 'Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag' from the musical 'Chicago' is a vibrant and satirical commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and the hedonistic lifestyle of the Jazz Age. The musical, set in the 1920s, follows the stories of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two women who become infamous for their crimes and use their notoriety to climb the social ladder. The song is performed as a vaudeville act, reflecting the era's entertainment style and the characters' desire for the spotlight.

The lyrics, delivered by the characters Velma and Roxie, emphasize the idea that one can live a life of their choosing, filled with excitement and indulgence. The lines 'You can like the life you're living / You can live the life you like' suggest a sense of freedom and self-determination. However, the mention of 'marry Harry / But mess around with Ike' hints at the moral ambiguity and the consequences of their choices. The repeated rhetorical questions 'Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?' underscore the superficial allure of their lifestyle.

The song also acknowledges the impermanence of their fame and the inevitable changes that time brings. The line 'But nothing stays / In fifty years or so / It's gonna change, you know' serves as a reminder that their current glory is temporary. The emcee's interjections, urging the audience to 'make the parties longer' and 'keep it hot,' further highlight the reckless abandon and the pursuit of pleasure that characterized the Jazz Age. The final exclamation 'And all / That / Jazz!' encapsulates the spirit of the era, celebrating its vibrancy while also hinting at its underlying emptiness.