Louis Prima (December 7, 1910 - August 24, 1978) was born into a musical fa… Read Full Bio ↴Louis Prima (December 7, 1910 - August 24, 1978) was born into a musical family in New Orleans. His family emigrated from Sicily, Italy, and after a brief stay in Argentina settled in the United States. Prima studied violin for several years as a child. His older brother Leon was a well regarded local bandleader. Prima was proud of his heritage, and made a point of letting the audience know at every performance that he was Italian-American and from New Orleans. His singing and playing showed that he absorbed many of the same influences as his fellow Crescent City musician, Louis Armstrong, particularly in his hoarse voice and scat singing.

In his youth, Prima played trumpet with Irving Fazola, his brother's band, and the pit band of the Saenger Theater. In 1933 he began his busy recording career, as part of the David Rose orchestra at station WGN, Chicago; he was also part of the small recording group The Hotcha Trio, with Rose on piano and Norman Gast on violin. In 1934 Prima moved to New York, working regularly on 52nd Street with old New Orleans friends like Eddie Miller (tenor sax and clarinet) and George Brunies (trombone), and also new acquaintances like Pee Wee Russell (clarinet). Prima's informal jazz group was known as Louis Prima and His New Orleans Gang, and this band recorded prolifically for Brunswick through 1936, and then for Vocalion and Decca.

Prima's 1936 composition, "Sing Sing Sing", which he had released with the New Orleans Gang in March, 1936 as a Brunswick 78, Brunswick 7628, with "It's Been So Long" as the B side, became one of his biggest hits and one of the most covered standards of the swing era; Benny Goodman's performance of the song at Carnegie Hall with a featured performance by Gene Krupa on drums has become iconic.

Louis Prima and His Band
Prima moved to Los Angeles to headline at the Famous Door nightclub. He appeared in several Hollywood movies, including a featured performance with Bing Crosby in the 1936 film Rhythm on the Range. Prima and his Dixieland Gang continued to play club dates across the nation, including a 1939 stint at New York's Hickory House.

Big bands were big business then, and Prima apparently bowed to pressure from booking agents and formed a conventional big band in 1940. He exploited a distinctive, shuffling beat (which he called "Gleeby Rhythm"); this trademark Prima shuffle remained part of his repertoire for two decades. Prima sang most of the band vocals, with Lily Ann Carol as the "girl singer." Prima's high-powered drummer at this time was Jimmy Vincent, an energetic teenager who remained with the Prima band for many years.

In 1947 he added singer Cathy Ricciardi, who recorded under the name Cathy Allen. She was succeeded in 1949 by Keely Smith (who was to become his fourth wife), and the band concentrated on novelty songs like "Civilization (Bongo Bongo Bongo)" and "All Right, Louis, Drop the Gun." Prima's big band continued into the early 1950s, with a series of novelty recordings supervised (sometimes heavy-handedly) by record producer Mitch Miller.

Vegas years

The popularity of the big-band sound started to wane, and Prima began losing money, just as he needed it to support the pregnant Smith. Prima found work with Smith in small venues all over the East Coast. Eventually he called up his friend Bill Miller, who was then entertainment director of The Sahara nightclub and casino in Las Vegas, and asked for a job. His friend Cab Calloway warned him against the cramped Sahara lounge, but the financial pressure was too great. Prima telephoned saxophonist Sam Butera and instructed him to pick up a few musicians and go to Las Vegas in time for Prima's debut.

Prima acknowledged his new musicians for the opening-night crowd, and spontaneously asked Butera what the name of the band was. Butera ad-libbed, "The Witnesses!" From then on, Sam Butera and the Witnesses backed Prima and Smith on stage and records.

Prima and Smith worked hard throughout the 1950s, performing multiple shows a night and finishing at 6 a.m. Their efforts were rewarded with a resurgence in their popularity, and they were at least partly responsible for making the lounge at The Sahara a hotspot. On stage, Prima insisted on Smith adopting a humorless, poker-faced character that would play straight to Prima's zany ad libs. Smith actually had a fine sense of comedy that is often audible on the team's recordings; no matter how much the incorrigible Prima tried to disrupt her vocals, Smith would often come back with a funny remark of her own.

Louis Prima and Keely Smith were very much the model for Sonny & Cher: the exuberant Italian musician and the serious, exotic female singer, Smith and Cher both being of Cherokee descent (although Cher's heritage is primarily Armenian). Similarly, echoes of the stage banter between Prima and Butera would be heard years later in the early performances of the E Street Band and the interplay between Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons.

In 1959, Prima and Smith won the Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus for "That Old Black Magic."

In 1956 the Prima ensemble performed at the Sahara Hotel and Casino to record tracks for the album The Wildest!. It was an attempt by Capitol Records to capture the essence of the Vegas act. Over the next nine years, Prima and Smith raised two children, while he made scores of records, owned racehorses, appeared on television, and even opened a golf course. They outgrew the lounge and were promoted to the big room. They appeared in a few quickie musical films, including Senior Prom and Hey Boy! Hey Girl! Prima co-produced the feature Twist All Night, in which his band also appeared.

During this whirlwind of activity, according to Smith, the couple drifted farther and farther apart. One night, he refused to conduct for one of Smith's performances, delegating to Butera instead. A few days later they were in court, petitioning for divorce.

Later years

Following the divorce, he began dating Gia Maione. Maione was a long-time fan of Prima's, was already familiar with all the arrangements to his songs, and even kept a signed photo of him in her purse. She eventually became Prima's fifth and final wife, and was with the band right up until 1975. By this point, the band was putting out a markedly different and more contemporary sound, with electric organs and synthesizers, even dabbling in progressive rock.

In 1967 Prima's distinctive voice and jazzy delivery landed him a role in Walt Disney's animated feature The Jungle Book, as the raucous orangutan King Louie. He performed the hit song "I Wanna Be Like You" on the soundtrack, leading to the recording of two albums with Phil Harris: The Jungle Book and More Jungle Book, on Disneyland Records. He can also be heard on the soundtrack of another cartoon feature, The Man Called Flintstone.

He suffered a mild heart attack in 1973. In 1975, following headaches and episodes of memory loss, Louis Prima sought medical attention, and found out he had a stem brain tumor. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and went into a coma following surgery to remove the tumor. He never recovered, and died three years later, having been moved back to New Orleans. He was buried in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans; his gray marble crypt is topped by a figure of Gabriel, the trumpeter-angel. The inscription on the crypt's door quote the lyrics from one of his hits: "When the end comes, I know, they'll all say 'just a gigolo' as life goes on without me. Lovingly, your little family..."

Just a Gigolo
Louis Prima Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Louis Prima's song "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" is a melancholic and humorous tune that describes the life of a gigolo who is down on his luck. The lyrics express the reality of being a gigolo and the notion that the youth will soon pass, and he will be left with nothing but an empty existence. The lyrics also mention that the gigolo is selling every dance and romance but is still lonely and sad; he is longing for someone to rescue him.

In the first verse, the gigolo acknowledges that he is just playing a role that people know wherever he goes. He is paid for his dance and every romance he sells. It's as if he is a puppet-master, controlling his audience's desires, and they are willing to pay him for the temporary pleasure he provides. In the second verse, the gigolo repeats the same lyrics, but the difference is that he recognizes that one day, youth will pass away, and no one will remember what he has done. He will be left with nothing but a memory.

In the chorus, the gigolo talks about being sad and lonely and not having anyone who cares for him. He longs for a sweet mama to come and take a chance with him; he promises to sing her sweet love songs all the time. The chorus further repeats the gigolo's loneliness - there's nobody to care for him.

Overall, the song "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody'' is a sad story of a gigolo who is down on his luck, lonely, and looking for someone who will rescue him from his sad existence.

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'
The singer is proclaiming that he is a gigolo and everyone he meets is already aware of his role as a paid lover. He gets paid for each dance he performs and every romance he sells, and people are talking about him.

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 the gigolos Life goes on without me, 'cause
The singer reflects on his future as a gigolo, knowing that eventually his youthfulness will fade away. He then asks himself what people will say about him when he is gone. He concludes that they will always remember him as just one of many gigolos and that life will continue without him.

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
The singer confesses to feeling sad and lonely because he has no one to care for him. He then pleads with a potential lover to take a chance with him, as he is not such a bad person after all. He hopes for companionship and love in his life.

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
The singer promises to serenade his lover with sweet love songs all the time. He notes that she will only be with him and that he will sing to her using whimsical, playful lyrics.

Humala bebuhla zeebuhla boobuhla Humala bebuhla zeebuhla bop
The singer employs a nonsensical phrase as a tongue-in-cheek expression of his growing frustration and loneliness.

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
The singer repeats 'nobody' and similar nonsense phrases several times to emphasize his solitude and lack of companionship. He acknowledges that nobody seems to care about him, highlighting his deep sense of isolation and despair.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@HouseFromSmartCity

3y↑6

Sigh. I do the same thing candace. The lone Wolf lifestyle definitely comes as advertised: lonely 🐺

That’s why sometimes you gotta be easy on yourself. Puff on some hookah, throw on Magic Mike, and just reflect.

There’s 4 types of Gigolos in this world:
https://youtu.be/HQbYv20y0yU

The Casanova is a lone Wolf 🐺 so you are in good company 👌🏽

Respect to you candace!

@lynnciafregarbesi6311

6y↑1.5K

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

@kurocrow-chan8880

3y↑65

Lyrics
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 saying

There will come a day and youth will pass away
What, what will they say about me
When the end comes I know they'll say just a gigolo's
Life goes on without me

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

And there will come a day and youth will pass away
What will they say about me
When the end comes I know they'll say just a gigolo's
Life goes on without me

'Cause I ain't got nobody
Oh and there's nobody that cares for me
There's nobody that 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
Sing on, pretty love song, all of the time
She will only be, only be

I ain't got nobody
Oh and there's nobody that cares for me
There's nobody that cares for me
Nobody that cares for me
Nobody that cares for me

I ain't got nobody, nobody
Nobody that cares for me
There's nobody that cares for me
I'm so sad and lonely
Oh lonely, oh lonely

Won't some sweet mama
Come and rescue me
'Cause I ain't so bad
And I'll sing her three love songs all of the time
'Cause she will only be, only, only, only, only, only, only be my baby
Come on, sugar, darling, honey

And there's nobody, there's nobody
There's nobody, there's nobody
There's no one, there's no one

Nobody, no, no one
Nobody, nobody
Nobody, nobody
Nobody cares for me

All comments from YouTube:

@edendavid-mccrann7800

3y↑2K

That Harley escape scene kicked ass! I got chill when the flowers blew behind her as she screamed. A great action scene, and a beautiful song

@Ethan-kd7ni

3y↑23

Same but I can't find the clip of it anywhere

@edendavid-mccrann7800

3y↑21

@@Ethan-kd7ni the movie is out tomorrow on HBOMax, it'll be all over YouTube by then

@hartiniprm9297

3y↑9

This scene so cool

@chickennuggetsaregoodsoyou9883

3y↑8

YES

@chickennuggetsaregoodsoyou9883

3y↑33

The shark guy is my favorite thank God he survived the movie

31 More Replies...

@luisnajera226

6y↑3.6K

This is my favorite song because what he says is a sad fact, but the way he expresses it makes you fell like it'll be just fine.

@electricpollusion

6y↑19

Luis Najera so you are saying that you are a giggolo 😂

@Imani_AM

6y↑31

What the hell is your profile picture 😬 it's freaking me out 😳

@jeremylefevre2451

6y↑14

It's because we are in the 50s... Even if there was the Soviet union life used to be happy...

@dominicthedefiant3210

5y↑19

It makes me feel so happy and good because it's positive, but I can also relate.

I also absolutely love the ending in this song ❤

@jonasmendez7509

5y↑3

@@dominicthedefiant3210 Yeah, gets to me

22 More Replies...

@sydneydejong2050

48w↑183

My dad played this on a car trip when I was 13. At first I teased him for his "old man" music. But I'll be damned, this sure is catchy. I played this for him when he was on hospice so we could relive the memory together.

@alonsogarcia3593

40w↑8

I'm so sorry for your dad, i really love this song cause of my dad too

@linnykikat2768

32w↑1

Oh god ❤😢

@lydiahernandez4700

27w↑3

Good that you did that for ur pops. ❤

@shable1436

18w↑9

The day when you found out your dad was cooler than you usually happens when Dad's are gone and floating around

@ronaldtesta4618

18w↑3

My brother loved this song this day he would be 90 year's old ❤❤❤ 4:08

1 More Replies...

@akhilnair1137

3y↑1.9K

I like how the song shows how Harley ain't got nobody, right before she sees rick and the gang trying to save her. It was sweet for her because she seriously thought she's got nobody.

@sat6rnn

3y↑94

agreed but im gonna miss harley and flaggs friendship :/

@satch422

3y↑53

Margo Robi owns that character now they need to just make a Harley Quinn movie shes damn near Deadpool with out the healing factor

@akhilnair1137

3y↑43

@@satch422 they made one, it's called birds of prey, it wasn't very good.

@3dgar2oh

3y↑26

They need to make a Gotham Sirens movie with Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley

@AngryMonkeyification

3y↑18

I can go back in and you guys can rescue me if you want. I felt that lol

42 More Replies...

@griffany

4y↑1.5K

It’s written on his grave...

“When the end comes, I know
They'll say "just a gigolo",
Life goes on without me”

LEGEND
PRIMA

@wadewilson8011

2y↑4

Too bad those lyrics were originated by someone else.

@joeambrose8992

2y↑87

@@wadewilson8011 yeah and so was your screen name

@auljamesnorris4383

2y↑3

High true

@shootingstarsinflight

2y↑1

@@joeambrose8992 that was the best mf comeback I’ve ever heard 👏

@Unregistered.HyperCam.2

2y↑42

@@joeambrose8992 He's gonna need some ice for that burn.

17 More Replies...

@MegaSupertyty

4y↑4K

When my depression decides to dance

@Morn2moon

4y↑32

Praise God for that!👍😎🌹

@ishaa5948

4y↑13

APACHE... Too right 🤣🙏

@paulbaker1505

4y↑14

Yeeeees hahahaha. Love it

@masterwindu1234

4y↑10

😂😂😂

@paulinekilburnie2224

4y↑15

Beautifully put 👌

64 More Replies...

@DebonairOfTheWind

3y↑164

James Gunn.... You're a beast.

@Werewolf_Korra

3y↑3

I bet he wanted to put this in Guardians but Disney was like "YOU CAN'T USE THAT HERE! IT'S GOT A WORD FOR PROSTITUTE!"

@DebonairOfTheWind

3y↑4

@@Werewolf_Korra not sure if it would of fit with the GOTG soundtrack. It's more 70s soft rock

@impostor101

@@Werewolf_Korra A MISTAKE THEY MADE WAS TO FIRE GUNN ON THE MARVEL UNIVERSE LOL

@InspectorSpacetime333

3y↑820

Grew up with Italian family playing Louis Prima on a regular basis. Also grew up with comic books and great cinema. Suicide Squad brought them all together, and I'm so fucking happy about this.

@codeofcomics8238

3y↑18

I cant believe they played this in that scene. It was so badass and well done. Like you said, it combined the best of all worlds.

@Wedge-Antilles

3y↑3

The movie sucked Gunn shouldn't have tried it.

@codeofcomics8238

3y↑28

@@Wedge-Antilles the movie was awesome, it was such a huge improvement over the sloppy and boring 2016 movie. This had so much style, passion, and purpose. I love the movie and its soundtrack, it's one of the best DC films

@HonestlyLOL

3y↑14

@@codeofcomics8238 i agree

@InspectorSpacetime333

3y↑10

Wedge Antilles I'm a big fan of your blowing up imperial scum and all, but I am left wondering what you think movies are. Taste is subjective, of course, but that was a well executed film on quantifiable levels. Tip for the future, or a far, far galaxy a long time ago, sometimes something just isn't your thing. It's okay to say "That wasn't for me." You sound a lot smarter than disliking something and insistent your opinion is an objective reality. And may the Force be with you.

10 More Replies...

@edwardmontalbano4683

4y↑576

This man is the most underrated artist of all time.

@ancientlighting9612

4y↑26

Most underated, Sicilian, American,

@anthonyvann2202

4y↑9

I have to agree. I have a CD of Louis and it's on regular rotation.

@CallmeMaurice717

4y↑6

Agreed!

@janfromnycsavesmoney8723

4y↑3

TRUTH

@bobthompson8053

3y↑3

By who?

12 More Replies...

@bluelegocat7520

5y↑228

Who knew you could make such a depressing song so happy?

@alikamal3464

4y↑4

Listen to the smiths. They the same.

@bloodmaged

3y↑3

@@alikamal3464 nah the smiths sound sad

@annashal6010

3y↑1

St. Infermery is cool also if sad

@RandyNewmanFan

2y↑3

There's nothing happy about these chords. You're listening with your ears and not your heart

@DarthVader2025

Listen to Elton John I think I’m going to kill my self

@eugenerayner6883

2y↑84

I love how this song celebrates being lonely. Most of the time when we come out of relationships or feel lonely and down, it's so hard to see the upside. This song celebrates being lonely and I love it!

@shirleytyree276

1y↑6

That's a great point! I love your perspective! I don't know but it celebrates it as much as it just kind of "acknowledges" it and calls it out! And then turns it into something happy instead! Definitely pulls you out of a negative feeling about it, and makes you just laugh at life instead! 😊👍🙃

@ericburton5914

19w

How does it pull you out of depression ...I ain't got nobody ...cares for me I'm so sad and lonely no rescuing here even if I'm a nice guy.. no cause all the selfish skanks today are on only fans making money. The free love has gone in these terrorist times.

@eugenerayner6883

19w↑1

Everyone is selfish in their own right. The tone of music is happy. Just celebrate being single dude! Have a dance to this song and you'll feel way better about being single!😊

@bl1754

17w

Just because you're lonely and sad doesn't mean you can't have a hoppin' boppin' good time

@homelesshannah50

13w

MGTOW

@deborahbeamon2175

3y↑242

My parents loved Sinatra and Prima, blues, jazz, classical; so I grew up alongside this music. Love that my grandchildren can hear this too

@davidkozak9289

2y↑3

My parents always played the classics during our weekend dinners and I can’t wait to do the same for my children some day too. This will be #1 on the playlist

@constantinestavrakov4034

1y↑2

Same

@Mr.Robert1

1y↑3

First the Carthaginians, then the Moors; Sicily was conquered twice over by invading North African forces. And while they didn't give up their island without a fight, the resulting fusion of cultures gave birth to a truly unique.
Sicilian people are mixed with genuine black people from Africa ever noticed the dark skin, a lot of them have frizzy kinky hair where do you think it comes from? Many Sicilians have a large percentage of black DNA.

@mabel8179

@@Mr.Robert1 Very interesting. My Grandpa (mother's father) had thick black wavy hair, when a young man ( it was still thick when he was elderly but of course was by then grey/white), and she had her DNA done a few years ago and in it is Southern Italian and Nigerian DNA. This DNA could only have come from him as her mother was pale and of Irish descent. Grandpa's mother was dark haired like him (she only remembers her vaguely as she died when my mother was little).

@lisasmith3657

49w

❤

2 More Replies...

@DataLal

4y↑1K

I didn't know until today that this is actually a medley of two different songs:

1. "I'm Just a Gigolo" (1929 song by Irving Caesar, adapted from the 1928 Austrian hit tango song "Shöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo" by Leonello Casucci to lyrics written in 1924 by Julius Brammer)
2. "I Ain't Got Nobody" (1915 song with lyrics by Roger A. Graham and music by Spencer Williams).

From there it was covered a crapload of times, but it was the David Lee Roth version I heard first, complete with the hilarious music video, lol.

@sphinxrising1129

4y↑18

Yup, it was crazy Dave who introduced me to this classic also, lol.

@michelle-loraejones5169

4y↑6

Heard Ann-margret sing this on the jack benny show. She was so young. Never knew she sang either.

@ml106

4y↑8

Wasn't it obvious, even though it was masterfully done ?

@jacobmontoya7172

4y↑6

David Lee Roth. Me too.

@jacobmontoya7172

4y↑5

@@michelle-loraejones5169 Does this mean Ann Margret isn't coming?

17 More Replies...

@zicokohler7756

4y↑329

Shakespeare: To be or not to be

Louis Prima: Do be bo bo bo be bo

@SpaceMeeri7

4y↑3

Why did this make me so laugh so much xD

@geraldojorgedalmaschio9648

4y↑1

In fact, you can sing to be or not to be in the same way as "i Just a gigolo".

@MadMalManny

Which one do I remember more?
Definitely Prima

@user-jw5uw1vs5p

5d↑1

This is the first time I have heard of this very nice 1950's singer and music artist of Louis Prima-His singing and music is pretty nice-And I like it-Especially his first name Louis-I love the men's name of Louis!!🥰🥰😇😇

@TyranusRex721

3y↑133

I remember watching the Harley Quinn scene in the new Suicide Squad movie and heard this song. I actually said "That's Louis Prima!". Glad he is getting a bit of a spotlight.

@sat6rnn

3y↑5

The scene was incredible

@chitoryu12

2y↑5

James Gunn is the guy who REALLY knows how to use music in movies.

@nckrato9350

So glad he chose the original over the David Lee Roth version!

@Antimanele104

6y↑1.9K

All Forever Alone people, please stand up for our national anthem !

@Antimanele104

6y↑10

Lange Voelspriet Sir, you just missed the whole point of the joke... shame on you !

@henryam503

6y↑22

Nah I think you're just not funny dude

@nevercomment73

6y↑7

Teruki Hanazawa that doesn't exempt you from loneliness.

@kermitthehermit9588

6y↑17

man whoring isn't as easy as people think. forever alone

@Derek-no8fu

6y↑5

I completely agree with you.

21 More Replies...

@candaceo3711

4y↑280

So I just danced my ass off around my kitchen to this masterpiece I'd say the morning started off right as a lonely person

@HouseFromSmartCity

3y↑6

@candaceo3711

3y↑3

@@HouseFromSmartCity thanks friend. Stay blessed

@StonefieldJim4

3y↑4

Best song to dance and cry to. The lyric seems to have fallen from a slow, sad arrangement into a dance number. It works, perfectly.

@ezekielbrockmann114

You're a champion, C.
Feel nothing but for compassion for anyone who tries to put you down. They're the ones who most obviously need it.

@bigdaddy8991

3y↑1

Stay Blessed You'll Find The One Soon 🙏

3 More Replies...

@jsm.216

3y↑547

Just when I think they can't top themselves, Harley kicks even more ass.

@jocelyn_rostron

3y↑20

You're here after suicide squad too :)

@katie2099

3y↑15

@@jocelyn_rostron I am as well, I came there after seeing Harley singing it and it being in her fight scene

@Viperoliver

3y↑12

Harley was Fantastic

@jocelyn_rostron

3y↑4

@@Viperoliver she was indeed

@katie2099

3y↑3

@@Viperoliver indeed she was!

5 More Replies...

@zillycat2058

3y↑9

Dang, Harley! She didn't even need to be rescued. She rescues herself, haha!

@lynnciafregarbesi6311

6y↑1.5K

@johnthrelfall5

6y↑21

Magnificent transcription Lynn Ciafre! Thankyou!

@anthonyreid9448

6y↑2

nice love this

@rickmallow7484

6y↑3

Lynn Ciafre yeahh! TKS Lynn pois adoro jazz e mais músicas internacionais QSL ? Mas obrigado

@hugobodiam4065

6y↑2

Lynn Ciafre

@shaniegirl909

6y↑2

Excellent

29 More Replies...

@BlackPatriot1776

7y↑718

I can't get the I Ain't Got Nobody part out of my head. The chords are just too good!

@Stalicone

7y↑5

With or without tremolo?

@BlackPatriot1776

7y↑5

Stalicone without, although the tremolo was surprisingly tighter than expected

@jordansalvador5425

6y↑2

Same

@aliciadominguez4270

6y↑2

Me too

@carlospereiravazquez1032

6y↑16

that woman voice is simply amazing

4 More Replies...

@mollydaboss7135

3y↑74

I love this song. It's so awesome. I like everything about it. The swing, instrumentation, the tempo, the sax, the piano, the bass, the vocals, the drumset... it's all good. I love this song. It is my favorite to listen to repeat.

@shable1436

18w

Love you for that

@Dkmiff

2y↑46

Louis never fails to lift my spirits!!!

@voidsoul5359

4y↑35

If you want to start the new year sad and lonely, start the song at exactly 11:58:54PM on New Years Eve and at exactly midnight you'll hear "I ain't got nobody"

@digbick301

4y↑3

VoidSoul535 looks like i gotta wait a year 😢

@sagegreenSage

15w

@@digbick301Same here 😔

@tun-tunninc.6492

3y↑20

Que Harley Quinn kicking ass, haha!!

@notmadheardthingsinhell8079

3y↑20

I am told this is on the Italian cooking music playlist. Louis Prima should be on the dancing playlist because I would be throwing an unintentional cabaret instead of looking at those overcooked spaghetti noodles.

@kurocrow-chan8880

3y↑65

@UDSArchive

3y↑486

“Just a gigolo” to Harley
Is like
“That’s life” to joker

@hexetech6980

3y↑16

"Closer to the bone" Riddler

@mr.moviemafia

3y↑5

@@hexetech6980 Love that this song shows up in GOTHAM too 😂

@happymurdock5179

3y↑17

And "baby shark" to nanahue

@an0malyops59

3y↑1

Same could be said for put on a happy face

@aaqilian5.085

3y↑1

No it’s not

1 More Replies...

@lisaraye6000

6y↑583

Nothing better then dancing around to this in ur kitchen with ur wooden spoon singing into it

@Rahat-tw8vg

5y↑22

@@JohnLutherable wtf

@GoGetta49

5y↑12

wtf did you just watch me cook dinner??

@kianyt5804

5y↑2

A little bit of ecstatic rolling on the floor too

@silembochum3120

5y↑11

@@JohnLutherable now we know why the parthians poured molten gold down your throat.

@daveinrome

5y↑1

@@silembochum3120 genius

13 More Replies...

@jeffbranchick1516

13w↑4

The King of the Swingers, hands down. Joyful energy from a classic entertainer. I was introduced to Louis via The Jungle Book and King Louie. I still have my vinyl LP of the movie soundtrack. Always my favorite part of the movie, even all these years later. Great music is still great, no matter how old. It'll always keep you young.

@damitj

3y↑46

3:01... Came here after seeing the Nobody trailer :))

@Hcarter-vc3vt

Gets beat up on the bus

@randomdude6719

Ngl this song been stuck in my head since I first saw the trailer

@Parzivle

Yo I forgot about that movie it went hard those guys got fucked up on that bus

@lynharden9936

6y↑92

When I was an Embalmer, I used to sing "I ain't got no body" when the funeral home I worked for wasn't busy. Lol!

@drkatz8580

3y↑11

That's both hilarious and disturbing lol

@hvanhemp

6y↑229

this version´s audio is incredible

@PHlophe

5y↑6

Joselito, its the original one

@oakleysierney1918

5y↑24

@@PHlophe He's saying for a recording over 60 years old the fidelity is great.

@shaunonverwacht9626

5y↑3

Very good dynamics

@wakkowarner4288

4y↑6

Look into RCA "Living Stereo", London/DECCA FFRR, Mercury "Living Presence" The very first crop of hi-fi set a standard we're still trying to match today. two-inch tape flying at 15 inches a second. The best mikes. The best electronics. To put the music into LP they had to compress it. Uncompressed full-dynamics CDs of this stuff is eye-opening. Old hi-fi is absolutely mind-blowing. Today it's almost trivial to get this sound... back then... it was a miracle, truly. The money it took alone was staggering.

@ezekielbrockmann114

3y↑18

Whoever mixed that snare fading up right after 1:10 is the true hero of this song. The sound engineer was STRAIGHT ACE.
Just think of the limitations of the medium of the day!

@zakts911

30w

It always got to me it's so smooth and well made. Now it makes sense.
Brilliant people working together

@l.siestador7248

27w

I just figured they started playing harder. I love that part too.

@derekrogers1668

3y↑6

Suiced was pretty amazing. Thank you for this song. It's my new addiction.

@bigkahuna1919

6y↑627

so glad i found this song so i can play it at my funeral

@saskiafernandez2058

6y↑19

My step dad at had it at his yes he was a good dad to me

@angelisserojas7882

okkkkkk

@Rahat-tw8vg

that's so sad ;(

@FreshTillDeath56

5y↑2

Rahat NOBODY!!! Nooobody cares for me!!!! 😂 Not exactly what he's saying, it's how he says it. ;)

@ayegee6093

5y↑3

Hahaha, I've said the same for years !

12 More Replies...

@JakeXXXJeff

4y↑61

How could anybody in his right mind dislike this?!

@user-bd9fu5ny5g

4y↑2

Because they're lonely 😂

@randomdude6719

Nobody dislikes it

@JakeXXXJeff

@@randomdude6719 1000 people disagree.

@gregrizal5043

Its actually a depressing song hiding behind an upbeat melody.

@Parzivle

One of the only songs to get me dancing with a huge smile on my face while the tears are just running down. Masterful. Got me crying in the club rn

@Biggy_Jimothy

3y↑10

God, what an outstanding fight scene. James Gunn knows his stuff.

@Wedge-Antilles

no he doesn't that movie was a failure. go read the comic.

@Biggy_Jimothy

3y↑7

@@Wedge-Antilles Cry about it. Learn what good cinematography is.

@delanovdm5125

3y↑2

@@Wedge-Antilles lmao like you can write it better, no you can’t. It had some great cinematography and Harley her scene was one of those!

@LoFiSymphony

6y↑87

Literally one of the best songs ever written, and Mr. Prima made it even better somehow. My god.

@JMoruzzi

51w

Which one?

@producermarin2480

27w

He sings in a PARTY MODE definitely!! Master scat man.

@xZippy

5y↑62

He makes the best "Ooooooh" sounds I've ever heard.

@CribabyCryptid

2y↑3

seeing Harley kick ass with this song gives me absolute life! She's such a badass and isn't given enough credit for her badassery.

@Ares-sp9

2y↑1

Hahahaha YEAH. I looked for this song just for that part

@Assassinboy8084fun

3y↑36

The first movie out of the three to show Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn how resourceful, skillful, deadly and insane this character actually is

@judyjae6022

4y↑28

A fabulous musician and Icon..have heard his songs played at every Italian wedding I ever attended..

@SubstituteTeacherGarvey

5y↑14

I love how the woman sings louder to add emphasis on the emotion instead of to overshadow the goat prima. Wish today female singers had that level of respect class and skill.

@dscronce

4y↑1

Mugen Anonymous probably Keely Smith

@theBaron0530

4y↑1

"...the goat prima." ?

@shtupidmate

4y↑1

@@theBaron0530 the greatest of all time prima

@Apathetik

4y↑13

My Dad used to make Sunday our house cleaning day and played classic Italian songs like this the whole time 🙌🏻 besides the great food, Italians have amazing music as well
🇮🇹 💜 🇮🇹

@kylehill808

3y↑313

Woulda never heard this if it weren’t for harley😭😭

@DebonairOfTheWind

3y↑17

*james gunn

@werewolvesofsanger4649

3y↑1

Harley's who?

@fatcat1

3y↑3

Loser

@werewolvesofsanger4649

3y↑9

@@fatcat1 child

@gingerlynn704

Wow not too sad

6 More Replies...

@malandro2023

3y↑836

I found this tune thanks to the trailer of the coming "Nobody" movie in 2021.

@Alija_Rez

3y↑23

Cringe

@c.f.mixolydian8926

3y↑4

Nice profile pic sir

@Jimi_Doom

3y↑8

Really for an obvious floyd fan you don't know this song?

@bobbymarcone363

3y↑11

Movie looks amazing

@malandro2023

3y↑15

@@Jimi_Doom I openly recognize I didn't know it... So...?

For an open and obvious acknowledgement though , you really had to bother in asking.

I don't have problems recognizing my ignorance and learning new stuff every day... I'm not the one with the problem here, Jamie. Bye.

57 More Replies...

@vivienbagtasos7508

3y↑13

Just here because of HARLEYY 🖤♥️

@juliangabrieltrinidad1135

4y↑34

Im 17 and i love this type of bop!

@stephanieaguila4276

Yesss❤️❤️ me too

@mikemodz3371

Same 😂

@rickidregg2888

2y↑17

A two time timeless classic. Once by Louis & once by Dave

@producermarin2480

27w↑1

Yeah Dave did do justice...Dave's vid is also awesome!

@gutz1981

4y↑8

Just turned 39 this year and youth is almost passed away (If it ain't already) I see the white hairs, the lines on my face. I never was a gigolo. I was always the shy low key guy who never turned heads and always looked for love in all the wrong places with no luck. Now alone, I wish I was a gigolo. At least then I could have some fond memories, even if they were not ones of the love I wanted.

@kartikeyajuneja4925

2y↑7

One of the classics that will live forever

@PabloSilva-mb2qy

3y↑14

i'm listening to this song every single day at least 5 times a day for like 2 months now and i feel like i'll never stop this ritual!

@skybunnies7943

2y↑1

Well have you stopped?

@SergeantWolfy

2y↑9

This whole song gives me goosebumps,such a powerful version !!

@shirleytyree276

1y↑1

YES!!!

@GREGGSOHO

5y↑13

Louie Prima was awesome, i hope his music lasts forever! The younger generation needs to here this music, hopefully it is injected into some new movie so the kids can hear how much his music was!

@combourgkid7338

3y↑8

The one and only King Louis!
King of the swingers!

@peterproductions5015

3y↑10

You go, Harley.

@ChaosIadore

3y↑3

"Won't some sweet mama. Come and take a chance with me. Man I ain't so bad." That one line alone hit so damn hard.

@andrewohara5546

4y↑7

The work of pure genesis, to take such sad subject matter and turn it into sheer ecstasy and joy...absolute brillance ...they do not make them like this anymore...Pure Prima

@acandnine12

5y↑7

This is what I remember from my childhood. Louie, Frank Sinatra (Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walkin'....I'm surprised mu Mother didn't strangle me because I played that song so much!!!) Dean Martin, etc. I will never stop loving the old/best music our times had ever known!!! Thank You for uploading this CLASSIC!!!!!!!

@satiimanao2260

3y↑3

Harley breaking out with this song was lit!! 🔥🔥

@MR.Z3R0

9w↑2

This might be my favorite song of all time

@jillfoley6389

5y↑10

Play this- and am dancing around the house -Louis Prima is the greatest. Played this in the seventies when I was young and fit with the lovely Keely singing and found it a lot easier to dance around but now 77 but still dancing around but not so easy but still magjical. Thanks Louis for such a wonderful voice and performance. You're the greatest. And Keely - you are lovely. Voice like chocolate! Play the film of the Jungle Book on my little old cd player - heaven.

@redcommand9422

2y↑13

Was watching Gotham and they played just a snippet of this gem of a song ....... it's been so long since I heard it again ....... got that "SWING" to it ....... 🔥❣️🔥

@tylerleemyles9592

3y↑18

what a master, you can feel all the emotion through the speakers! the best vocal performance ever.

@twotips9350

26w↑3

As a man of the profession this song sings to my soul and caresses it with a sense of comfort

@andrews6985

4y↑5

my grandpa loved this song. he was not a good person. but i am grateful for the fact that i now know this song because of him

@TheHirohikoAraki

3y↑27

Nobody: walks in

Harley Quinn: Oh, hi there!

@zulkifli4201

Bruh

@soycrisantoficial

Bob Odenkirk has left the Chat.......

@Dank-Potato

3y↑7

For some reason this song perfectly fitted Harley kicking ass

@arminbudde7538

1y↑2

Man fängt automatisch, mit den Fingern an zu schnippen und mit dem Fuß, an zu wippen, man fühlt sich einfach glücklich, bei der guten Musik❗❗❗

DANKE❗❗❗

@chrishutten7236

5y↑17

Timeless classic-this tune always cheers me up when I need it too...

@chriscorbin6980

6y↑250

What a great song before my time even though I turn 70 in 2 days

@danielyork3707

5y↑18

Got a year on me Chris but I'm sure you remember hearing and singing it as a kid..like when the moon hit's your eye like a big pizza pie! The Italians were the best crooners!

@oakleysierney1918

5y↑6

Ah your math isn't right. Song was recorded in '56. So to be before your time you couldn't be any older than 63.

@chaseattaway7553

5y↑12

I'm 29 but I've realised at this semi young age that life is a joke at least in my generation thanks to social media and false love has become the majority I was raised by older parents raised by a 67 year old father in a sense I am a dinosaur the last of my kind in a changing dying world but I know the part I'm playing f this world

@GoGetta49

5y↑1

Chase Attaway are we listening to the same upbeat song?

@DixonSteele1on1

5y↑1

The song was written and performed in the late 20s. So it's not before your time, Chris! Enjoy it anyways! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_a_Gigolo_(song)

10 More Replies...

@georgeedwards9374

3y↑3

There is no one like louis Prima. Can never be. 🎶🎶🎷🎷🎷🎸🎼🎵🎵🎷

@iCorpseBride

3y↑13

Thank you, James Gunn, for letting me discover this amazing song. ❤🖤

@daloq

4y↑12

In love with the voice of the girl in backing vocal.

@zacharryscott

2y↑4

that'd be Keely Smith, Prima's then-wife and frequent collaborator :)

@victoriaamadorrousseve6612

1y↑2

That’s Keeley Smith his partner/wife of many years. They performed together.

@reycecile7504

1y↑1

Me too ! Her voice is AMAZING. Such powerfuk, vibrant !

@biancamercuri2826

40w

I named my dog Keely after her, I don’t know why because she was weird looking, lazy and had bugger all talent . But was the most special lovable dog.

@BobWhitlock

6y↑81

David Lee Roth did justice to his version of this as well! He had an advantage though, by way of high-tech stereo mixing in the recording studio! .. My very favorite of Louis Prima's is from Disney's Jungle Book as the Orangutan, "King Louis, ..I wanna be Like You." .. I met Mister Prima in Las Vegas shortly before he passed away. He was doing a gig with some other really cool cats in the Lounge, at the Tropicana at that time, I think in the late 70s or early 80s. I was really diggin' it, but I wasn't aware of just who this GREAT man was until I asked him to have a drink with me and chat between sessions, at the bar. .. Looking back, I was absolutely blown away and humbled as a musician myself! I cherish the memory. .. Rest in Peace, eternally, King Louis. .. aka OldHippieDude

@davekirst7511

6y↑4

Robert Whitlock lies

@danielyork3707

5y↑1

Thanks Old Hippy Dude, I believe you and if I had been there it would be a cherished memory for sure!

@oakleysierney1918

wish that had happened to me

@iancrockert5110

Try the version by ALEX HARVEY.

@GypsyFairy85

5y↑3

Shortly before he died? Prima was in a coma three years and passed in 1978.

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@hieronymusboss7705

3y↑4

This medley is so sad and boppin' simultaneously. It's got the same energy as a bangin' rock song towards the end. One of my favorites.

@jacoblebakeng2128

41w↑2

I really wish music like this makes a return. 💚

@akadros310

37w

It kinda did back in the late 90s a short time after I had discovered Louis. There were quite a few big band type bands that came out around then. Though I think nobody came close to topping Louis. His son Louis Prima Jr actually is touring these days and paying homage to his dad, but like I said no one is topping Louis Sr

@justindababs2825

4y↑9

1:22 my fav part

@gerwynevans2729

4y↑5

One of the greatest entertainers of all time and a pioneer who helped open doors for talent from a variety of ethnicities in America when it wasn't easy.

@armss.l.6655

2y↑1

Doesn't matter who or what brought you here. Let's be thankful for being introduced to good song.

@hdslave

24w↑3

Heard this on platinum radio in New vegas n just had to stop the game and just listen. What a masterpiece

@Mass3333333

5y↑154

October 2019, still here.

@HeyStripes

mad men?

@RosarioRodriguez420

Come Va Pisan

@soupmasters

yeah cuz you where there 1979

@RosarioRodriguez420

@@soupmasters this song i wayyy older lol

@soupmasters

@@RosarioRodriguez420 nah 1979 Brighton Opera Melissa Villasenor

3 More Replies...

@MrJacksaces

6y↑69

Makes me smile every time.

@ICryWhenAngelsDeserveToDie

3y↑4

Thanks, James Gunn.

@Asian_Kid

1y↑6

Even though this video has 7,152,319 views, this is still the most underrated song of all time.

@CardiacYew-xt5zq

3y↑82

When you have depression but put all of your skill points on charisma

@nick5422

3y↑1

@@MiniFries didn’t ask if you asked

@brushfuller330

3y↑1

Huh??

@thekingduckkun2013

3y↑1

@@MiniFries everyone says they didn't ask, but what if colors smelt like oranges running on sound in the middle of a tube 🤦🤦🤦

@MiniFries

@@thekingduckkun2013 I had a stroke reading that

@JaevhonDouglas

3y↑1

@@MiniFries you Are DISRESPECTFUL

18 More Replies...

@bubblegum2996

5y↑10

"Life goes on without me" For some reason I really dig that line

@user-cs7gt2xh6y

How catchy! Even in a million years this will forever be wonderful music! ❤

@letisia3937

3y↑2

Joyeux anniversaire mon Papa adoré ! Tu aurais eu 85 ans aujourd'hui. J'espère que tu fais la fête en dansant avec Maman, éclairé par les étoiles✨, et avec Louis Prima qui chante rien que pour vous deux. Je t'aime Papa. Tu as été le meilleur père qu'une fille puisse rêver. Que Dieu bénisse ton âme. Repose en paix, tu l'as bien mérité.

@user-hw4eh2xb6b

3y↑1

Très touchant 🙏🏼

@letisia3937

3y↑1

@@user-hw4eh2xb6b : Merci beaucoup 🙏 (Je viens de voir tes playlists, tu as décidément un goût certain pour la bonne musique 👍)

@user-hw4eh2xb6b

3y↑1

@@letisia3937 Merci beaucoup 🙏🏼 . Ça me permet de constater que tu as donc aussi beaucoup de goût !
Je croise peu de Québecois ici alors non seulement j’ai reconnu ( salut ) mais j’ai bien senti ton message et ton père me semblait être un homme vraiment extraordinaire . Je ne voulais pas trop en dire parce qu’on ne sait jamais comment les gens vont réagir mais merci d’avoir pris le temps de me répondre . Une bonne année à toi ✌🏼

@letisia3937

3y↑1

@@user-hw4eh2xb6b Oh... Merci à toi ! Ton message m'a touché. Effectivement, mon père était un homme vraiment extraordinaire. Je te souhaite aussi une très bonne année . Merci encore 🙏.
PS : je suis française 😉.

@user-hw4eh2xb6b

3y↑1

@@letisia3937 ...la honte 🥺... alors , du coup je me dis que cette fille est assurément Française car elle est vachement sympa 😬

4 More Replies...

@titasantiniE

3y↑4

He Swings.....His band is amazing. What a beat. WHAT FUN! RIP

@nadiaortega1228

3y↑20

Everybody come from the Nobody Trailer but I came from just dance 2014 😎

@nickname1617

37w↑1

A real distillate of Italian spirit..we go to a football match like the others go to war..and we go to death laughing and singing such songs..:))

@lupodelupis3672

Molti paisà in America sono diventati grandi artisti, amati e seguiti da milioni e milioni di persone. Arte, cibo, musica credo siano le cose per cui il nostro paese sia famoso in tutto il mondo.