Willie the Pimp

One of Zappa's most instantly recognisable riffs kicks off this track from Hot Rats, the first album of his to mark a shift away from the vocal-heavy satirical style of the Mothers Of Invention and focus on his guitar soloing. On this cut he's joined by drummer John Guerin, Max Benet on bass, Sugar Cane Harris (violin), and Ian Underwood (keyboards). Old schoolmate Captain Beefheart offers a few lines of vocals sung on the guitar riff, but really this is all about Frank's epic solo, and the dialogue between guitar and drums. "Willie the Pimp" is also notable for being the only track on the album to feature any vocals.

[Verse: Captain Beefheart] I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back Pair a khaki pants with my shoe shined black Got a little lady, walk that street Tellin' all the boys that she can't be beat Twenty dollar bill, I can set you straight Meet me on the corner boy and don't be late Man in a suit with a bow-tie neck Wanna buy a grunt with a third party check Standin' on the porch of the Lido Hotel Floozies in the lobby love the way I sell: [Refrain: Captain Beefheart] Hot meat, hot rats Hot cats, hot rits Hot roots, hot soots [Instrumental and screaming] [Refrain: Captain Beefheart] Hot meat, hot rats Hot cats, hot rits Hot roots, hot soots [Instrumental (2:08 - 9:23)]