Puth initially signed with the record label eleveneleven after performing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, while songwriting and producing for other artists. With primary intent on a solo career, Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group eventually sought the artist and released his debut single, "Marvin Gaye" (featuring Meghan Trainor), in 2015. His next single and first feature, "See You Again", which he co-wrote, co-produced, and performed with Atlantic label-mate Wiz Khalifa for the Furious 7 soundtrack as a tribute to actor Paul Walker. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 12 non-consecutive weeks. After the success of "See You Again", he gained worldwide recognition for multiple subsequent releases, including his next single, "One Call Away". The single reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Puth's debut studio album, Nine Track Mind, was released in January 2016 to moderate commercial success. The album was preceded by the singles "One Call Away" and "We Don't Talk Anymore" (featuring Selena Gomez), which peaked at number 12 and number 9 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2017, he released two songs, "Attention" and "How Long", with the former peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Both were included on his second studio album, Voicenotes (2018), with ameliorated critical reception and a peak of number 4 on the Billboard 200. In 2019, Puth released the singles "I Warned Myself", "Mother" and "Cheating on You". The following year, Puth released singles "Girlfriend" and "Hard on Yourself". After deciding not to put these songs on his next album and scrapping what other songs he had written for it in early 2020, Puth released "Light Switch" in January 2022 as the lead single of his upcoming third studio album Charlie, which is scheduled for a 2022 release. "Light Switch" peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "That's Hilarious", was released in April 2022.
The Curse of Wealth
Charlie Puth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
counting all their dimes
walking around living one big lie
I bet they all go far
driving those rented cars
going around in circles hoping that you'll see them
you say you're something special
But it's time to move on,
and get on with your life
Everybody (everybody)
You got, you got to love yourself
It's not all about the wealth
(oooh yeah it's not all about the wealth)
And everybody,
you can't put your life up on the shelf
Theres nothing else
I hear them talking everyday
The purchases they made
Hiding their faces with those fake designer shades
They say their doing well,
but they should take a look at themselves
Theres gotta be something in their life they know thats missing
Bridge
X2
The Curse of Wealth by Charlie Puth is a song that addresses the obsession with money that many people have, and the impact it has on their lives. Puth sings about seeing people constantly counting their money and living a lie, pretending to be something they're not. He points out the irony of their rented cars and their futile efforts to gain recognition from others by going around in circles, hoping to be noticed. Puth acknowledges that people believe that they are something special and quintessential, but urges them to move on and to focus on the things that truly matter in life.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of self-love and how it's not all about wealth. Puth urges his listeners to not put their lives on the shelf and to recognize that there's nothing else more important than self-love. He notes that people are hiding behind their fake designer shades and trying to convince themselves and others that they're doing well, but in reality, they're missing something in their lives.
Overall, the song is a reminder to prioritize the things that truly matter in life, such as self-love and genuine human connection, rather than material possessions and the pursuit of wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the people all the time
The singer frequently observes people in society
counting all their dimes
These people are preoccupied with money and wealth
walking around living one big lie
This obsession with wealth causes people to live dishonest lives
I bet they all go far
These people may achieve success and material possessions
driving those rented cars
Their wealth may be temporary and superficial
going around in circles hoping that you'll see them
They seek validation from others based on their wealth and status
You say you're quintessential,
The singer addresses someone directly, who claims to be indispensable
you say you're something special
This person believes they deserve special treatment and recognition
But it's time to move on,
The artist believes it is time for this person to change their attitude
and get on with your life
They should focus on what truly matters in life, beyond wealth and status
Everybody (everybody)
The song's message is for everyone to hear
You got, you got to love yourself
The key to happiness is self-love and acceptance, not material possessions
It's not all about the wealth
True fulfillment is not found in wealth alone
(oooh yeah it's not all about the wealth)
The singer reinforces this message and expresses it emotionally
And everybody,
The song addresses all people
you can't put your life up on the shelf
People should not waste their lives pursuing wealth and neglecting other aspects
Theres nothing else
True happiness and purpose in life comes from finding fulfillment in non-material aspects
I hear them talking everyday
The singer frequently hears people discussing their material possessions and wealth
The purchases they made
People are overly concerned with what they can buy with their wealth
Hiding their faces with those fake designer shades
People hide their insecurities and true selves behind expensive fashion items
They say their doing well,
People tend to boast about their wealth and status
but they should take a look at themselves
The artist challenges people to reflect on their lives and priorities
Theres gotta be something in their life they know thats missing
Despite their wealth and success, people may not feel truly fulfilled and happy
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jeanette chasseur
I miss this kind of music from Charlie. He was much more authentic back then. Of course he is still a great singer, but it feels like he has become one of the everybody people he was singing about back then.
idonotmakevidsyet
Only OG people remember the video of him playing this on his piano with a crappy camera.
b b
最高〜知ってる方聞いたことなくて、もっと広まって欲しい限り。