The Long Grift
Encyclopedia
"The Long Grift" is a song from the off-Broadway musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
and its subsequent film adaptation
. It was composed by Stephen Trask
and performed by John Cameron Mitchell
as the character Hedwig
.
In the film version, the song was cut (except for the part where Tommy is working on the line "Look what you've done." In the stage version, the song is sung by Hedwig's husband Yitzhak, when Hedwig becomes overwhelmed with emotion and is unable to perform the song. The lyrics accuse Hedwig's former lover (Tommy Gnosis) of grifting her, singing: "I didn't want to know that your cool, seductive serenade // Is a tool of your trade, you gigolo
." Hedwig concludes by deprecating the entirety of their love, singing "The love that had me in your grip // was just a long, long grift."
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (musical)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The text is by John Cameron Mitchell, and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. The musical premiered in 1998 and has been performed throughout the world in hundreds...
and its subsequent film adaptation
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (film)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a 2001 American musical comedy-drama film based on the stage musical of the same title about a fictional rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The film was adapted and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who also portrayed the title role...
. It was composed by Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask is an American musician and composer, who graduated from Wesleyan University.He was the music director and house band member at the New York club Squeezebox, where he performed with stars such as Debbie Harry, Lene Lovich and Joey Ramone.Trask composed the music and lyrics for the...
and performed by John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.- Early life:...
as the character Hedwig
Hedwig
Hedwig is a German female given name. The name originates from Old High German Hadwig, Haduwig . Hedy is an Anglicised diminutive of the name...
.
In the film version, the song was cut (except for the part where Tommy is working on the line "Look what you've done." In the stage version, the song is sung by Hedwig's husband Yitzhak, when Hedwig becomes overwhelmed with emotion and is unable to perform the song. The lyrics accuse Hedwig's former lover (Tommy Gnosis) of grifting her, singing: "I didn't want to know that your cool, seductive serenade // Is a tool of your trade, you gigolo
Male prostitution
Male prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual acts for money. Compared to female sex workers, male sex workers have been far less studied by researchers, and while studies suggest that there are differences between the ways these two groups look at their work, more research is needed.Male...
." Hedwig concludes by deprecating the entirety of their love, singing "The love that had me in your grip // was just a long, long grift."