Just A Gigolo
Louis Armstrong And His Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra Lyrics
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People know the part I'm playing;
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
Every night some heart be-tray-ing.Was in a Paris cafe that first I found him
He was a Frenchman, a hero of the war
But war was over
And here's how peace had crowned him
A few cheap medals to wear and nothing more
And as he strolls by ladies hear him say
If you admire me, hire me
A gigolo who knew a better day
Just a gigolo, everywhere I go
People know the part I'm playing
Paid for every dance
Selling each romance
Every night some heart betraying
There will come a day
Youth will pass away
Then what will they say about me
When the end comes I know
They'll say just a gigolo
As life goes on without me
Just a gigolo, everywhere I go
People know the part I'm playing
Paid for every dance
Selling each romance
Every night some heart betraying
There will come a day
Youth will pass away
Then what will they say about me
When the end comes I know
They'll say just a gigolo
As life goes on without me
There will come a day youth will pass away
Then what will they say about me?
When the end comes, I know, they'll say, "Just a gigolo"
As life goes on without me.
The song "Just A Gigolo" by Louis Armstrong And His Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra is about a former soldier who has become a gigolo in Paris after the war. He is paid for every dance and sells romance, but is ultimately betraying the hearts of his clients. Despite his current status, he reflects that his youth is fleeting and he will eventually be remembered as just a gigolo when he passes away.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the gigolo's life and highlight the duality of his character. He is seen as a hero during the war and is now trying to survive as a gigolo, using his charm and good looks to make a living. The irony of the song is that he is aware of his status as a gigolo and his inevitable fate, yet continues to live this life until he passes away.
The song was released in 1931 and became a huge hit, both in America and Europe. It has since been covered by numerous artists and has appeared in several movies and TV shows. The origin of the song is somewhat unclear, as multiple versions with different lyrics and origins exist.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a gigolo, everywhere I go
I am a professional dancer and lover who provides companionship, and this is known wherever I go
People know the part I'm playing;
Everyone recognizes that I am playing the role of a gigolo
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
I am paid to dance with women and make them feel loved, but it's just an act
Every night some heart be-tray-ing.
Every night, I break some woman's heart by providing false affection
Was in a Paris cafe that first I found him
I met a Frenchman in a café in Paris
He was a Frenchman, a hero of the war
He was a French soldier who fought in the war and was considered a hero
But war was over
But the war had ended
And here's how peace had crowned him
He was rewarded for his service with a few medals, but that was all
A few cheap medals to wear and nothing more
He wasn't given anything substantial for his service
Now every night in the same cafe he shows up
He comes to the same café every night
And as he strolls by ladies hear him say
As he walks by, he asks women to hire him
If you admire me, hire me
If you like me, pay me to be with you
A gigolo who knew a better day
He was once a soldier and lived a better life
There will come a day
Someday in the future
Youth will pass away
I will grow old and my youth will fade
Then what will they say about me
What will people say about me when I'm gone?
When the end comes I know
I am aware that my life will end someday
They'll say just a gigolo
People will remember me only as a gigolo
As life goes on without me
Life will continue after I'm gone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leonello Casucci, Julius Brammer, Irving Caesar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind