Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illinois that's played for over four decades, and in 2016 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having gained popularity in the late-70s centered within the Midwest and within Japan, the band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only flirtations with mainstream national success such as the multi-platinum smash At Budokan, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock, with many musicians and music journalists being fans.

One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.

Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).

Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World

[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver

He's a Whore
Cheap Trick Lyrics

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Have you seen her face
She's got a face that would stop a clock
And with that face I surely won't stop
To look her in the eyes
But her money's green
She's a tease like a social disease
But she's still so close to my reach
If I call, if I call at all

Any time at all [Repeat x 4]

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
And 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 [Repeat x 3]
Any time at all [Repeat x 4]

He's a whore, (I'd do anything for money)
He's a whore, (Look at the things that I write)
He's a whore, (Ooo, the stories I can tell)
He's a whore (In the morning, in the night)
I'm a whore (He'll do anything for money)
I'm a whore (Look at the clothes that he wears)
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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cheap Trick's "He's a Whore" tell the story of a male protagonist who doesn't find his female companion attractive but is willing to tolerate her for the sake of her money. This is apparent in the opening lines of the song where the singer describes his companion's face as having the ability to "stop a clock." Despite this, he is still willing to take her for a ride and be seen with her in public.

The lyrics suggest that the singer is immune to his companion's charms but is still attracted to the idea of her money. He refers to her as a "tease like a social disease," indicating that he doesn't find her company particularly enjoyable but is still willing to be with her due to her wealth. The line "But she's still so close to my reach" suggests that the singer sees her as an opportunity to profit financially.

As the song continues, the singer continues to describe the woman as a joke and laughs at her expense. He even goes so far as to suggest that he may be a whore himself, willing to do anything for money. The repeated phrase "he's a whore" serves to emphasize this point and suggests that the singer is not immune to the same criticism that he applies to his companion.

He's a WhoreCheap Trick Lyrics

He's a Whore
Cheap Trick Lyrics