Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss
Dave Brubeck & B.B. King Lyrics


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You act like you don't want to listen
When I'm talking to you
You think you outta do baby
Anything you want to do
You must be crazy baby
You just gotta be outta your mind
As long as i'm payin' the bills woman
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

I'll drink if i want to
And play a little poker too
Don't you say nothing to me
As long as I'm taking care of you
As long as I'm workin baby
And payin' all the bills
I don't want no mouth from you
About the way I'm supposed to live
You must be crazy woman
Just gotta be outta your mind
As long as i foot the bills
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

Now that you got me
You act like you ashamed
You don't act like my woman
You just usin' my name
I tell you I'm gonna have all the money
And i don't want no back-talk
Cause if you don't like the way I'm doin'
Just pick up your things and walk
You gotta be crazy baby
You must be outta your mind




As long as I'm payin' the bills woman
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

Overall Meaning

The song "Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss" by Dave Brubeck and B.B. King speaks to the struggles of maintaining power in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer is paying for everything in the relationship, and therefore believes that he should have the final say in how things are run. He is telling his partner that he makes the rules and she should follow them, otherwise she can leave. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels trapped in the relationship because of the money he is obligated to provide.


The repetition of the line "I'm paying the cost to be the boss" emphasizes the frustrations of the singer, who feels that he is always having to pay for everything, and as a result, he should be able to make decisions without question. The lyrics suggest a power struggle within the relationship, where one person is trying to maintain control over the other by using money as leverage. The song ultimately points out the difficulties that arise when money becomes the foundation of a relationship, and the power imbalance that can result.


Line by Line Meaning

You act like you don't want to listen
You're ignoring me


When I'm talking to you
While I'm speaking to you


You think you outta do baby
You believe you should be able to do whatever you want


Anything you want to do
Whatever you desire


You must be crazy baby
You seem insane


You just gotta be outta your mind
You're behaving irrationally


As long as i'm payin' the bills woman
As long as I'm financially supporting you


I'm payin' the cost to be the boss
I'm accepting the responsibilities that come with being in charge


I'll drink if i want to
I'll consume alcohol at my own discretion


And play a little poker too
I'll engage in some card games


Don't you say nothing to me
Don't criticize me or protest my actions


As long as I'm taking care of you
While I'm providing for you


As long as I'm workin baby
While I'm employed


And payin' all the bills
And covering all the expenses


I don't want no mouth from you
I don't want any lip from you


About the way I'm supposed to live
Regarding my lifestyle choices


You must be crazy woman
You must be insane


Just gotta be outta your mind
Your behavior is irrational


As long as i foot the bills
While I'm covering the costs


I'm payin' the cost to be the boss
I'm accepting the responsibilities that come with being in charge


Now that you got me
Now that we're together


You act like you ashamed
You seem embarrassed


You don't act like my woman
You're not behaving like my partner


You just usin' my name
You're only using me for my reputation


I tell you I'm gonna have all the money
I'm telling you I will be the one making all the financial decisions


And i don't want no back-talk
And I won't tolerate any arguments or complaints


Cause if you don't like the way I'm doin'
Because if you are unhappy with how I'm handling things


Just pick up your things and walk
You can leave and take your belongings with you


You gotta be crazy baby
You must be insane


You must be outta your mind
Your behavior is irrational


As long as I'm payin' the bills woman
As long as I'm financially supporting you


I'm payin' the cost to be the boss
I'm accepting the responsibilities that come with being in charge




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: B.B. KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@bravog83221

why doesn't this video have more views?? 2 of my favorites on one track cant be beat. Not to mention the great backing.

@jenniferwilliams7217

Perfect...mmmmmmmmmm

@morkus26

WTF?! Pat Metheny and B.B?? Since when?

@jenniferwilliams7217

Nath Eacon hahaaaa.....no shit...right?

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