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