Have you seen her face?
Got a face that could stop a clock
With that face I surely won't stop
To look her in the eyes
But her money's green
Like tea and so are her teeth
She's still so close to my reach
If I call, if I call at all
Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, any time at all
So the story goes
If thou take her for a ride
With this moneybag by my side
A gigolo is the only way to go
So I show my face
And I can even fake a smile
But I'm laughing inside all the while
This little girl, she's a joke, she's a joke, she's a joke
So the story goes
He's a whore -- I'd do anything for money
He's a whore -- With the things you like to eat
He's a whore -- Well, the stories I could tell
He's a whore -- And I'm a moron as well
I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money
I'm a whore -- Look at the clothes he likes to wear
I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money
I'm a whore
And so the story goes
I think I'll take her for a ride
With this moneybag by my side
A gigolo is the only way to go
Ohh, whoa, ohh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Big Black's song He's a Whore depict the story of a man who is willing to do anything for money. The opening lines of the song, "Have you seen her face? / Got a face that could stop a clock / With that face I surely won't stop / To look her in the eyes" describe his disinterest in the woman, but he is willing to overlook it because of her money. He refers to her money as green like tea and adds that she is almost within his reach, which implies that he is seeking to exploit her wealth. He goes on to say "if I call at all, any time at all," indicating that he is willing to lower his standards just for the promise of wealth.

The chorus of the song makes it clear that both the singer and the woman he is referring to are whores. He is willing to do anything for money, and she represents an opportunity for him to exploit her. He views the situation as a joke, but he continues to move forward with it regardless. He says that he can even fake a smile while laughing on the inside. The chorus also reveals that he is not alone in his actions, as he too is a "moron".

Interestingly, the last lines of the song revert to the opening lines, implying that the cycle of exploitation and prostitution will continue. Overall, the lyrics of the song highlight the dark underbelly of capitalism and the lengths some people will go for money.

Line by Line Meaning

Have you seen her face?
Have you noticed her appearance?

Got a face that could stop a clock
Her face is so unattractive that it could cause time to stop

With that face I surely won't stop / To look her in the eyes
Because of her unattractive appearance, the singer will avoid looking at her face

But her money's green / Like tea and so are her teeth
Although her looks are unappealing, she has money (green like tea) and her teeth are green as well

She's still so close to my reach / If I call, if I call at all / Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, any time at all
Despite her looks, she is accessible to the artist and he could contact her at any time

So the story goes / If thou take her for a ride / With this moneybag by my side / A gigolo is the only way to go
If the singer were to accompany her (with her money) somewhere, the only option would be for him to act like a gigolo and earn money from her

So I show my face / And I can even fake a smile / But I'm laughing inside all the while / This little girl, she's a joke, she's a joke, she's a joke
The singer puts on a façade of being interested in her and puts on a fake smile, but inside he's amused by how much of a joke she is

He's a whore -- I'd do anything for money
The artist acknowledges that he is like a prostitute who will do anything for money

He's a whore -- With the things you like to eat
In exchange for money, the artist will provide the person with the things they enjoy eating

He's a whore -- Well, the stories I could tell
The artist has many stories to tell (likely about his experiences as a prostitute)

He's a whore -- And I'm a moron as well
The singer recognizes that he is foolish for engaging in these activities

I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money
The artist reiterates that he is like a prostitute who will engage in any activity for money

I'm a whore -- Look at the clothes he likes to wear
The singer's attire indicates that he is a prostitute

I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money
The singer emphasizes again that he will do almost anything for money

And so the story goes / I think I'll take her for a ride / With this moneybag by my side / A gigolo is the only way to go
The singer decides he will spend time with her (as long as the money is involved) and that he will act like a gigolo

Ohh, whoa, ohh
An expression of excitement or anticipation

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