Gaucho Lyrics
Just when I say
"Boy we can't miss
You are golden"
Then you do this
You say this guy is so cool
Snapping his fingers like a fool
One more expensive kiss-off
Who do you think I am
Lord I know you're a special friend
But you don't seem to understand
We got heavy rollers
I think you should know
Try again tomorrow
[Pre-Chorus]
Can't you see they're laughing at me
Get rid of him
I don't care what you do at home
Would you care to explain
[Chorus]
Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
And your elevator shoes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the Custerdome
[Verse 2]
What I tell you
Back down the line
I'll scratch your back
You can scratch mine
No he can't sleep on the floor
What do you think I'm yelling for
I'll drop him near the freeway
Doesn't he have a home
Lord I know you're a special friend
But you refuse to understand
You're a nasty schoolboy
With no place to go
Try again tomorrow
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't tell me he'll wait in the car
Look at you
Holding hands with the man from Rio
Would you care to explain
[Chorus]
Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
With the studs that match your eyes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the Custerdome
About
At once sad and absurd, Gaucho is the cynically comical vignette of a rentboy-type relationship coming to an ignominious end.
Becker and Fagen were sued by legendary jazz pianist Keith Jarrett for lifting the piano intro for “Gaucho” from Jarrett’s composition “Long as You Know You’re Living Yours,” which appeared on saxophonist Jan Garbarek’s 1974 album Belonging:
As part of the settlement, Jarrett was awarded a composition credit and a share of royalties.
This was not the first time Becker and Fagen–who met at Bard College when Becker heard Fagen playing jazz piano in a dormitory lounge–had “borrowed” from a jazz classic: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” takes its introduction from Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father.”
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Hey Nineteen
- 4.Gaucho
- 6.My Rival
