Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody
Keely Smith/Louis Prima/Sam Butera/Witnesses Lyrics


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I'm just a gigolo and everywhere I go
People know the part I'm playing
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
Ooh, and they're sayin'

There will come a day when youth will pass away
What will they say about me?
When the end comes, I know
They was just the gigolos
Life goes on without me

I'm just a gigolo and everywhere I go
People know the part I'm playing
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
Ooh, what they're sayin'

And there will come a day when youth will pass away
What will they say about me?
When the end comes, I know
They was just a gigolo
Life goes on without me, 'cause

I ain't got nobody
Nobody cares for me
Nobody cares for me
I'm so sad and lonely
Sad and lonely, sad and lonely
Won't some sweet mama come and take a chance with me?
'Cause I ain't so bad

An' I'll sing her sweet love songs
All of the time
She will only be, only be
Bip boz dee, boze dee, bop, biddly bop

I ain't got nobody
Nobody cares for me
Nobody cares for me
Nobody cares for me
Nobody cares for me

Humala bebuhla zeebuhla boobuhla
Humala bebuhla zeebuhla bop

I ain't got nobody
Nobody cares for me
Nobody cares for me
I'm so sad and lonely
Oh lonely, oh lonely, lonely, lonely
Won't some sweet mama, come and rescue me
'Cause I ain't so bad

An' I'll sing her sweet love songs
All of the time
She will only be, only, only, only
Only, only, only, only be
Baby, c'mon sugar, darling

Ain't got nobody, baby
There's nobody (nobody)
There's nobody (nobody)
There's nobody (nobody)
There's nobody (nobody)
There's no one (no one)
There's no one (no one)
Loot de loot (loot de loot)
Dolly dolly (dolly dolly)
Gernish gernish (gernish gernish)
Stot say da wool (stot say da wool)
Over den (over den)
Nobody (nobody)
No, no one (no, no one)
Nobody (nobody)
Nobody (nobody)
Nobody (nobody)




Nobody (nobody)
Nobody cares for me

Overall Meaning

"Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" is a classic song that tells the story of a gigolo who is paid to dance and sell romance, but ultimately ends up alone and forgotten when his youth fades away. The lyrics capture the feeling of emptiness and loneliness that can come from being used and discarded by others. The gigolo knows that one day his life will end, and he will be remembered only as a memory of a figure who once danced through life.


The song has a melancholic tone, reflecting the sadness of the gigolo's situation. However, the tone shifts in the second part of the song when it turns into a plea for companionship. The gigolo longs for someone to care for him and ease his loneliness. The repetitive line "I ain't got nobody" conveys his desperation, while the scatting towards the end expresses his yearning for a romantic partner.


The song was popularized in the 1950s by the American jazz singer and musician Louis Prima, along with his band the Witnesses, and later by Keely Smith. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including David Lee Roth and Bing Crosby. The song remains a classic and an important part of jazz and pop music history.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a gigolo and everywhere I go People know the part I'm playing Paid for every dance, selling each romance Ooh, and they're sayin'
I'm a gigolo; my profession is widely known, and people expect me to provide them with entertainment and romance in exchange for money.


There will come a day when youth will pass away What will they say about me? When the end comes, I know They was just the gigolos Life goes on without me
One day, I'll grow old and pass away, and people will reflect upon my life. They'll realize that I was just a gigolo, and even after I'm gone, life will continue without me.


I ain't got nobody Nobody cares for me Nobody cares for me I'm so sad and lonely Sad and lonely, sad and lonely Won't some sweet mama come and take a chance with me? 'Cause I ain't so bad
I don't have anyone to care for or comfort me, which makes me very sad and lonely. I hope a kind woman will give me a chance, as I'm not such a terrible person.


An' I'll sing her sweet love songs All of the time She will only be, only be Bip boz dee, boze dee, bop, biddly bop
If a woman takes a chance on me, I promise to sing her songs of love and devotion, with catchy, rhythmic tunes.


Humala bebuhla zeebuhla boobuhla Humala bebuhla zeebuhla bop
These lines have no real meaning, but they fit the song's jazzy rhythm and help to express the singer's feelings of loneliness and frustration.


I ain't got nobody Nobody cares for me Nobody cares for me I'm so sad and lonely Oh lonely, oh lonely, lonely, lonely Won't some sweet mama, come and rescue me 'Cause I ain't so bad
Once again, I'm expressing my deep sadness and loneliness, and pleading with a woman to rescue me from my misery. However, I also want her to know that I'm not as bad as I may seem at first glance.


An' I'll sing her sweet love songs All of the time She will only be, only, only, only Only, only, only, only be Baby, c'mon sugar, darling
In case there was any doubt, I repeat my promise to serenade and adore the woman who might give me a chance. I urge her to come to me and be my sweet love.


Ain't got nobody, baby There's nobody (nobody) There's nobody (nobody) There's nobody (nobody) There's nobody (nobody) There's no one (no one) There's no one (no one) Loot de loot (loot de loot) Dolly dolly (dolly dolly) Gernish gernish (gernish gernish) Stot say da wool (stot say da wool) Over den (over den) Nobody (nobody) No, no one (no, no one) Nobody (nobody) Nobody (nobody) Nobody (nobody) Nobody (nobody) Nobody cares for me
These nonsensical phrases and sounds are once again meant to convey the singer's frustration and loneliness. Despite his hopeful pleas for love and companionship, he is still completely alone and uncared for.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonello Casucci, Julius Brammer, Irving Caesar

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@thorsden5562

I am a fan of classic rock, jazz, and country. Now I am a fan of Louis Prima and the rest of this band! What a gas!!!

@JoeyJustJoking.

Yes sir just a troubadour

@steventurner408

My parents brought me to a Louis Prima concert in the mid 70's when I was a teenager. I didn't really get the schtick but when the band got swinging it was a revelation. A few years ago I bought my teenage daughter a Prima CD and it became one of her favorites.

@snakefinger

I sure wish someone like this played at the last Super Bowl. Sigh

@honda197056

I am truly blown away by this performance. I now have a new respect Louie and Keely and the band as well. Thank you for sharing this with us.

@bobtaylor170

Keely Smith's little dance with the ridiculous face may be the best performing moment I've ever seen. I'm so grateful to this channel for uploading this video.

@davidhallett8783

Love it keely louis and sam

@chrisshenzo2594

A true testament to Italo-American musical genius! And Keely was the earthbound incarnation of an Angel!

@thecolorfulpencil5845

Respect to Louis Prima and his incredible band. Keely Smith and Sam Buter were an act of their own. Nobody could step to them.

@imharleyquinn

Seems like the girl and Luis Prima were having fun with coke

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