Cigars in song

Along with their influence on artists, film-makers and writers, cigars have naturally enchanted musicians too. A combination of muse and metaphor, whether a pastime cherished, or an icon of success, the humble cigar has made its way into the lyrics of songs by some of the world’s best-loved performers. 
 

The role of cigar as metaphor for big business and capitalism, especially in the music industry, is drilled home by avant-garde rockers Pink Floyd in their 1975 hit ‘Have a Cigar’, and referenced by System of a Down in their 2005 anthem ‘Cigaro’. Tori Amos adopts a different metaphor in her 1991 classic ‘Leather’, using a cigar-smoking angel to represent the patriarchy. 
 

Cigars are often used to represent success too, a big expansive cigar a sign of prosperity. Elton John referenced a ‘time of wine and cheap cigars’ to show his comparative success in ‘Look Ma, No Hands’. The popular expression ‘close but no cigar’ takes this angle too, you’ll hear it pop up in lyrics from time to time, and Weird Al Yankovic even used it as a title in one of his parody songs. 
 

These numbers are a far cry from more sincere songs of adoration, such as country and western singer Brad Paisley’s ‘The Cigar Song’, which is based on a humorous anecdote about a man who insures his cigars, burns them, then tries to claim on the insurance. Jethro Tull have a similar ode with their song ‘a small cigar’, which ponders the ability.