Kings of Money

"Kings of Money"
Demo by Weezer
Album	Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years
Format	MP3
Writer(s)	Rivers Cuomo
RC#	718
COR#	368
Status	Demos circulating
Live debut	November 3, 2002 in Los Angeles (Hotel Cafe)
Rivers Cuomo song chronology
"367" (RC# 717) "Prodigy Lover" (RC# 718) "She Who Is Militant" (RC# 719)
This song is part of the "I'm a Robot" (COR# 368) lineage of songs "Prodigy Lover"/"Kings of Money" (2002) "Show Me Who You Are" (2004) "I'm a Robot" (2004)

"Kings of Money" (also known as "Prodigy Lover") is a song demoed by Weezer in early contention for the band's fifth album, Make Believe.

Appearances

• Released on weezer.com
• Video Capture Device (2004)
• Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years (2020)

Overview

An acoustic solo demo of "Prodigy Lover" was recorded by Rivers Cuomo, most likely in 2002. This recording was released in 2020 as part of the digital demo compilation Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years.

"Prodigy Lover" was first recorded by Weezer in 2002 during early sessions for the band's planned fifth album, begun before the band's previous album, Maladroit, had even been released. Though the song did not appear on the eventual fifth album, Make Believe, it was revisited multiple times in various forms throughout the following years of the album's production. During sessions at the band's rented office space on Sunset Blvd. in 2003, it was renamed "Kings of Money," before eventually being reworked into the song "Show Me Who You Are," followed by "Happy Robot" (or "Stupid Robot"), and finally "I'm a Robot." "Show Me Who You Are" and "Happy Robot"/"Stupid Robot" would not see release until they were leaked in 2020 through the demo storefront on riverscuomo.com (and released shortly thereafter as part of the bundle Alone IX: The Make Believe Years). "I'm a Robot" would be released on Death to False Metal in 2010, a compilation consisting of previously-unreleased songs from throughout the band's career.

A studio rehearsal of "Prodigy Lover" from July 16, 2002, filmed by Rod Cervera, was included as part of the DVD Video Capture Device. The band was joined by pianist Ryan "Shmedly" Maynes.

Though the song’s meaning has never been confirmed, some fans speculate that the song is about Matt Sharp, as “Prodigy” could refer to the model of Moog synthesizer. Though the song was first practiced a month earlier, the first demo released to fans came only a few days after Sharp filed a lawsuit against the band, claiming that Sharp was owed songwriting credits from the first two Weezer albums.

"Prodigy Lover" has been performed live at least once, on November 3, 2002, at a performance for mostly friends and family of the band at The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California.

As no demos under the title "Kings of Money" exist in fan circulation, it is unknown what differences, if any, exist between it and "Prodigy Lover."

Known recordings

about this table

Performer(s)	Title	Filename	Date of recording	Recording location	Length	Appeared on	Notes
Rivers Cuomo	Prodigy Lover	368 Prodigy Lover.mp3	2002		3:18	Alone VIII: The Maladroit Years
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		February 2002	?
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		March 4, 2002	Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		April 13, 2002	Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA			"Version 3"
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		April 18, 2002	Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA			"Version 4"
Weezer	Prodigy Lover	WEEZER-2002-04-22_Prodigy_Lover_368.mp3	April 22, 2002	Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA	3:14		Released on weezer.com
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		June 23, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		June 26, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		June 27, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		June 28, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		June 30, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Prodigy Lover	weezer-2002-07-02_prodigy_lover_368.mp3	July 2, 2002	Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA	2:56	Released on weezer.com
Weezer	Prodigy Lover		July 16, 2002	The Lodge Recording Studios, Indianapolis, IN	3:03	Video Capture Device	Video of demo session recorded by Rod Cervera. Shmedly on keyboards.
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 1, 2002	S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 2, 2002	S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 3, 2002	The Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA			Live performance. Secret acoustic show.
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 4, 2003	8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA			Acoustic demo; incomplete
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 4, 2003	8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA			Acoustic demo; rejected take
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 4, 2003	8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA			Acoustic demo; rejected take
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 4, 2003	8295 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA			Acoustic demo
Weezer	Kings of Money		November 6, 2003	Swing House Rehearsal & Recording, Los Angeles, CA			Recorded to Marantz CD burner, with Rick Rubin
Weezer			November 19, 2003	Swing House Rehearsal & Recording, Los Angeles, CA			Untitled. Recorded to Marantz CD burner, with Rick Rubin
Weezer	Show Me Who You Are		December 1, 2003—January 30, 2004	Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA			Day-to-day info unknown
Rivers Cuomo	Show Me Who You Are	08 368 Show Me Who You Are (triplet.mp3	April 23, 2004	S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios, Los Angeles, CA	3:22	Alone IX: The Make Believe Years
For subsequent demos, see "Show Me Who You Are," and "I'm a Robot"

Video

16mm sweetness in a studio demo session. Originally slated for the 5th album, "Prodigy Lover" was later left behind as newer songs arose... - Karl Koch, Video Capture Device booklet, 2004

Lyrics

Something is different
Something has changed
You write me your letters
They're not the same

Prodigy lover
Playing the keyboards
Drawing that music from me

Uncomprehending
I'm stupefied
‘Cuz I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide

Over and over
Checking the airwaves
Drawing that music from me

You say OK
We'll both become
The kings of money

Over and over
Checking the airwaves
Drawing that music from me

You say OK
We'll both become
The kings of money

Uncomprehending
I'm stupefied
Cuz' I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide
I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide
I wrote the rulebook
You can't abide

Oh no (I'm stupified)

See Also

• Album 5 demos
• Office demos
• List of Weezer songs
• List of Rivers Cuomo songs