"Just a Gigolo" is a popular song, adapted by Irving Caesar in 1929 from the Austrian song "Schöner Gigolo", written in 1928 by Leonello Casucci (music) and Julius Brammer (lyrics).

History

The original version is a poetic vision of the social collapse lived in Austria after World War I, represented by the figure of a former hussar who remembers himself parading in his uniform, while now he has to get by as a lonely, hired dancer. The music features a simple melodic sequence, but nonetheless has a clever harmonic construction that highlights the mixed emotions in the lyrics, adding a nostalgic, bittersweet effect.

The success of the song prompted a Tin Pan Alley publisher to buy the rights and order an English version to Irving Caesar, a very popular lyricist of the time. Caesar eliminated the specific Austrian references and, in the often-omitted verse, set the action in a Paris cafe, where a local character tells his sad story. Thus, the lyrics retained their sentimental side but lost their historic value.

"Just a Gigolo" appeared in a 1931 film, a 1932 Betty Boop cartoon and a 1993 TV-series, all titled after the song. The film Schöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo, directed by David Hemmings in 1979, was titled after the first verse of the original lyrics, but the "Just a Gigolo" title was used for US distribution. In this film, the song was performed by Marlene Dietrich, in her last film appearance.

Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody

"Just a Gigolo" is best known in a form first recorded by Louis Prima in 1956, where it was paired in a medley with another old standard, "I Ain't Got Nobody" (words by Roger Graham and music by Spencer Williams, 1915). Although these two songs have nothing else in common, the popularity of Prima's combination, and of David Lee Roth's 1985 cover version of the medley, has led to the mistaken perception by some that the songs are two parts of a single original composition.

Prima's pairing of the two songs had its genesis in his 1950s Las Vegas stage show, during which he would revisit his old hits in a new, jive-and-jumping style, often presenting them in medleys. The success of that act gained Prima a recording deal with Capitol Records, which aimed to capture on record the atmosphere of his shows. The first album, titled The Wildest! and released in January 1957, opened with "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody", which then became Prima's signature number and helped relaunch his career.

Recording

The recording session took place in April 1956 at Capitol Tower Studios, Los Angeles, and was produced by Voyle Gilmore. Prima was backed by his Las Vegas group, Sam Butera & the Witnesses, in its original line-up: Sam Butera (tenor sax), James "Red" Blount (trombone), William "Willie" McCumber (piano), Jack Marshall (guitar), Amado Rodriques (bass) and Robert "Bobby" Morris (drums). Keely Smith, who was Prima's wife and an important part of his act, joined the Witnesses for the characteristic backing vocals. Prima sang the lead but didn't play the trumpet on this track.

Other versions

In 1978, the Village People recorded a cover of Prima's version, which was made even more popular when US rock star David Lee Roth recorded his own cover in 1985 that reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Prima's version was also covered by Alex Harvey in 1979 on his The Mafia Stole My Guitar album.

The University of Illinois Marching Illini are also well-known for performing the song as part of their post-game show.

Swedish dansband Ingmar Nordströms recorded a Swedish version of the song, called "Gösta Gigolo". The title is pronounced the same as in English, but refers to a man named Gösta and is hanging around the dance floor in the hotel of a small town.

In 2003 Israeli singer and TV star, Gidi Gov, released a Hebrew version of the song, called "Gigolo" on his album Moondance (Hebrew: ריקוד ירח).

Releases

The following artists have released versions of the song:

• Ted Lewis and His Band (1931)
• Ben Bernie And His Orchestra (1931)
• Bing Crosby (1931)
• Leo Reisman And His Orchestra (1931)
• Jaye P. Morgan (1953)
• Louis Prima (1956)
• Thelonious Monk (1962)
• Erroll Garner (1965)
• Peter Allen (1974)
• Village People (1978)
• Marlene Dietrich title song of film "Just a Gigolo" (1979)
• Javier Gurruchaga during the film "Besame Tonta" (1981)
• David Lee Roth (1985) (reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100)
• Tony Martin (1985)
• Leningrad Cowboys (1993)
• Lou Bega (2001)
• Sergio Pángaro & Baccarat (Spanish version, 2003)
• Tyler Lewis (2006)

Lou Bega version

Lou Bega's version of "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" was the second single from his album Ladies and Gentlemen. It only charted in the German singles chart, where it peaked at #94.

Track listing

Maxi single

1. "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" (Phat Bass Radio Mix) - 3:13
2. "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" (Electronic Salsa Radio Mix) - 3:13
3. "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" (J's Late Night Remix) - 3:10
4. "What?" - 5:14
5. "Album Preview" (Calling Her, God Is a Woman, Club Elitaire, Lonely) - 3:40 Single
6. "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" (Phat Bass Radio Mix) - 3:13
7. "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" (Electronic Salsa Radio Mix) - 3:13

References

External links

• "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" lyrics at LyricWiki