American Gigolo
| "American Gigolo" | |||||
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| Album track by Weezer | |||||
| Album | Maladroit | ||||
| Released | May 14, 2002 | ||||
| Recorded | December 2001/January 2002 | ||||
| Length | 2:42 | ||||
| Label | Geffen | ||||
| Writer(s) | Rivers Cuomo | ||||
| RC# | 600 | ||||
| COR# | 281 | ||||
| Producer(s) | Weezer, Rod Cervera, Chad Bamford | ||||
| Status | Officially released | ||||
| Live debut | June 8, 2001 | ||||
| Stream |  Spotify |
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 Apple Music |
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| Maladroit track listing | |||||
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| Rivers Cuomo song chronology | |||||
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"American Gigolo" is the opening track from Maladroit.
Contents
Appearances
Overview
"American Gigolo" was first written by Rivers Cuomo around February of 2001, and recorded by Weezer at Monster Island Studios on May 27, 2001. Another recording was made during the band's BBC Sessions the following June 23rd. These original recordings portrayed the song in more of a funky vibe. Many fans were later surprised to hear the song evolve into more of a heavy metal riffer as the Maladroit sessions unfolded. Early versions of the song contain lyrics that greatly resemble that of "Photograph" ("If you want it / You can have it..."), though it is unknown if this is a deliberate allusion. A "gigolo" is a male escort or social companion who is supported by a woman in a continuing relationship, often living in her residence or having to be present at her beck and call. [1] The song's title may have been inspired by the 1980 film of the same name, but this has never been commented on. According to the Recording History, the song shares its chorus with the unreleased song "I Can't Tell You", written around the same time and also demoed at Monster Island Studios.
"American Gigolo" was performed live for the first time on June 8, 2001 in Toronto, Ontario, as well as several additional shows that month on the Euro Freak Out Tour. The song was performed sporadically in 2002 and has, to date, been played only three times following its official release on Maladroit.
Live performances
"American Gigolo" is known to have been performed at 11 concerts:
- Weezer concert: 06/08/2001 - Toronto, ON, Canada
- Weezer concert: 06/19/2001 - Copenhagen, Denmark
- Weezer concert: 06/21/2001 - Dortmund, Germany
- Weezer concert: 06/23/2001 - Neuhausen, Germany
- Weezer concert: 06/24/2001 - Scheesel, Germany
- Weezer concert: 06/25/2001 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Weezer concert: 03/11/2002 - Lisbon, Portugal
- Weezer concert: 03/12/2002 - Oporto, Portugal
- Weezer concert: 05/22/2002 - Osaka, Japan
- Weezer concert: 05/26/2002 - Tokyo, Japan
- Weezer concert: 07/27/2002 - Columbia, MD
Audio
Several demos are available on YouTube. Click "Expand" to view additional demos
Album release
Personnel
- Rivers Cuomo – lead guitar, lead vocals
- Patrick Wilson – percussion
- Brian Bell – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Scott Shriner – bass guitar, backing vocals
Lyrics
Album lyrics
Sit down, quiet everybody
We got a long way to go
I told you once before
That you better not start the show
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, Yeah
If you want me
You can't have me
Because you've got to
Understand me
Back off, baby I'm a loner
I got a lotta things to see
I told you once before
That you better not take it from me
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, keep on
Keep on, Yeah
If you hate this
No, I can't blame you
Because I'm hurtin'
So I'll flame you
And I've seen this game before
My love walks right to your door
There ain't no hope for me anymore
Ha ha ha ha, yeah
If you hate this
No, I can't blame you
Because I'm hurtin'
So I'll flame you
And I've seen this game before
My love walks right to your door
There ain't no hope for me anymore
Ha ha ha ha, yeah yeah yeah
Demo lyrics
Various demos, (May 27, 2001 onward
[...]
If you want it
You can have it
Pay your beeswax
You can grab it
And I've seen this game before
My love comes right to your door
There ain't no hope for you anymore
Various demos, (December 29, 2001 onward)
[...]
If you want me
You can't have me
But you got to
Please accept me
[...]
