Kings of Money

From Weezerpedia
(Redirected from Prodigy Lover)
"Kings of Money"
Kings of Money cover
Demo by Weezer
Album Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years
Format MP3
Writer(s) Rivers Cuomo
RC# 718
COR# 368
Status Demos circulating
Live debut November 3, 2002 in Los Angeles (Hotel Cafe)[1]
Rivers Cuomo song chronology
"367"
(RC# 717)
"Prodigy Lover"
(RC# 718)
"She Who Is Militant"
(RC# 719)

This song is part of the "I'm a Robot" (COR# 368) lineage of songs

"Kings of Money" (also known as "Prodigy Lover") is a song demoed by Weezer in early contention for the band's fifth album, Make Believe.

Appearances

Overview

An acoustic solo demo of "Prodigy Lover" was recorded by Rivers Cuomo, most likely in 2002. This recording was released in 2020 as part of the digital demo compilation Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years.

"Prodigy Lover" was first recorded by Weezer in 2002 during early sessions for the band's planned fifth album, begun before the band's previous album, Maladroit, had even been released. Though the song did not appear on the eventual fifth album, Make Believe, it was revisited multiple times in various forms throughout the following years of the album's production. During sessions at the band's rented office space on Sunset Blvd. in 2003, it was renamed "Kings of Money," before eventually being reworked into the song "Show Me Who You Are," followed by "Happy Robot" (or "Stupid Robot"), and finally "I'm a Robot." "Show Me Who You Are" and "Happy Robot"/"Stupid Robot" would not see release until they were leaked in 2020 through the demo storefront on riverscuomo.com (and released shortly thereafter as part of the bundle Alone IX: The Make Believe Years). "I'm a Robot" would be released on Death to False Metal in 2010, a compilation consisting of previously-unreleased songs from throughout the band's career.

A studio rehearsal of "Prodigy Lover" from July 16, 2002, filmed by Rod Cervera, was included as part of the DVD Video Capture Device. The band was joined by pianist Ryan "Shmedly" Maynes.

Though the song’s meaning has never been confirmed, some fans speculate that the song is about Matt Sharp, as “Prodigy” could refer to the model of Moog synthesizer. Though the song was first practiced a month earlier, the first demo released to fans came only a few days after Sharp filed a lawsuit against the band, claiming that Sharp was owed songwriting credits from the first two Weezer albums.[2]

"Prodigy Lover" has been performed live at least once, on November 3, 2002, at a performance for mostly friends and family of the band at The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California.

As no demos under the title "Kings of Money" exist in fan circulation, it is unknown what differences, if any, exist between it and "Prodigy Lover."

Video

16mm sweetness in a studio demo session. Originally slated for the 5th album, "Prodigy Lover" was later left behind as newer songs arose...


- Karl Koch, Video Capture Device booklet, 2004


Lyrics

Something is different
Something has changed
You write me your letters
They're not the same

Prodigy lover
Playing the keyboards
Drawing that music from me

Uncomprehending
I'm stupefied
‘Cuz I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide

Over and over
Checking the airwaves
Drawing that music from me

You say OK
We'll both become
The kings of money

Over and over
Checking the airwaves
Drawing that music from me

You say OK
We'll both become
The kings of money

Uncomprehending
I'm stupefied
Cuz' I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide
I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide
I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide

Oh no (I'm stupified)

Known recordings

Performer(s) Title Filename Date of recording Recording location Length Appeared on Notes
Rivers Cuomo Prodigy Lover 368 Prodigy Lover.mp3 2002 3:18 Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years
Weezer Prodigy Lover February 2002[3] ?
Weezer Prodigy Lover March 4, 2002[3] Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover April 13, 2002[4] Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA "Version 3"
Weezer Prodigy Lover April 18, 2002[5] Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA "Version 4"
Weezer Prodigy Lover WEEZER-2002-04-22_Prodigy_Lover_368.mp3 April 22, 2002 Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA 3:14 Released on weezer.com
Weezer Prodigy Lover June 23, 2002[6] Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover June 26, 2002[7] Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover June 27, 2002[8] Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover June 28, 2002[9] Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover June 30, 2002[10] Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Prodigy Lover weezer-2002-07-02_prodigy_lover_368.mp3 July 2, 2002 Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA 2:56 Released on weezer.com
Weezer Prodigy Lover July 16, 2002 The Lodge Recording Studios, Indianapolis, IN 3:03 Video Capture Device Video of demo session recorded by Rod Cervera. Shmedly on keyboards.
Weezer Kings of Money November 1, 2002[11] S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Kings of Money November 2, 2002[11] S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Kings of Money November 3, 2002 The Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA Live performance. Secret acoustic show.
Weezer Kings of Money November 4, 2003[11] 8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Acoustic demo; incomplete
Weezer Kings of Money November 4, 2003[11] 8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Acoustic demo; rejected take
Weezer Kings of Money November 4, 2003[11] 8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Acoustic demo; rejected take
Weezer Kings of Money November 4, 2003[11] 8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Acoustic demo
Weezer Kings of Money November 6, 2003[11] Swing House Rehearsal & Recording, Los Angeles, CA Recorded to Marantz CD burner, with Rick Rubin
Weezer November 19, 2003[11] Swing House Rehearsal & Recording, Los Angeles, CA Untitled. Recorded to Marantz CD burner, with Rick Rubin
Weezer Show Me Who You Are December 1, 2003January 30, 2004[12] Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA Day-to-day info unknown
Rivers Cuomo Show Me Who You Are 08 368 Show Me Who You Are (triplet.mp3 April 23, 2004 S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA 3:22 Alone IX: The Make Believe Years
For subsequent demos, see "Show Me Who You Are," and "I'm a Robot"
about this table

See also

References