ABC
How To Be A Millionaire Lyrics
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Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
Say mr. whispers! Here come the click of dice
Roulette and blackjacks - gonna build us a paradise
Larger than life and twice as ugly
If we have to live there, you'll have to drug me
Maybe these luxuries can only compensate
So tell me
Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire
Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire!
Millionaire! Billionaire! Trillionaire!
Hardly surprising if you might consider
Loyalties go to the highest of bidders
What's my opinion? I'd give you ten to one
Give me a million, a franchise on fun
But there are millions who often get nowhere
And there's just one secret I think you should share
Maybe these luxuries can only compensate
For all the cards you were dealt at the hands of fate
So tell me
Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire
Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire!
Who wants to be millionaire?
I do! - I don't! - I do!
Who wants to be millionaire?
I do! - I don't!
I've seen the future and I can't afford it
The lyrics to How To Be A Millionaire's song ABC describe the desire to obtain great wealth and the perceived luxuries that money can buy. The first stanza describes the singer seeing a future filled with these luxuries but feeling like they cannot afford it. They ask for the truth about how someone has achieved it and question if it was bought. The next lines describe the sound of a casino with the clicking of dice and offer the idea of building a paradise with the winnings. However, the singer finds the thought of living there unbearable, and they would have to be drugged to do so.
The second stanza suggests that the luxuries may only serve as compensation for the bad hand they were dealt in life. The singer then pleads for someone to tell them how to become a millionaire, repeating the phrase over and over with increasing emphasis. The third stanza suggests that loyalties go to the highest bidder, and the singer would bet 10 to 1 that a million dollars could buy them a franchise on fun. However, the singer acknowledges that there are millions who do not achieve this and asks for the secret to success, ending the song with more repetitions of the phrase "Who wants to be a millionaire?"
Overall, the song ABC underscores the desire for wealth and status in society while acknowledging that it may not always be attainable, especially for the marginalized. The repeated phrase "Tell me how to be a millionaire" emphasizes the obsession with money in our culture, yet the lyrics also hint at the idea that money may not necessarily bring happiness or solve all of life's problems.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the future, I can't afford it
I am aware of the advancements that would make my life better, but I don't have the financial resources to acquire them.
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
Is it true that someone has actually purchased what I couldn't afford?
Say mr. whispers! Here come the click of dice
Opportunities for financial success and risk-taking are now approaching.
Roulette and blackjacks - gonna build us a paradise
If we gamble successfully, we can create a haven where only the rich can enjoy all luxuries.
Larger than life and twice as ugly
The luxurious life that is waiting for us may be grand but is often shallow and unattractive.
If we have to live there, you'll have to drug me
I'd rather be unconscious than be forced to live in a fake, flashy environment.
Maybe these luxuries can only compensate
Perhaps the materialistic things we hope to achieve only serve as temporary distractions that shield us from the reality of our lot in life.
For all the cards you were dealt at the hands of fate
Our lack or abundance of resources and connections were predetermined from birth.
Tell me! tell me! How to be a millionaire
Can you disclose your secrets to acquiring wealth and fortune?
Millionaire! Billionaire! Trillionaire!
The levels of wealth that can be acquired increasingly become extreme and seemingly unattainable.
Hardly surprising if you might consider
It is not surprising that people are willing to do unethical things to climb the social ladder.
Loyalties go to the highest of bidders
People are willing to betray or switch alliances for the individual or group that can offer them the most.
What's my opinion? I'd give you ten to one
My belief is, for a mere million-dollar investment or bet, I can generate an immense amount of joy and fulfillment.
Give me a million, a franchise on fun
Just one million dollars can provide me with a business that can bring people unending happiness.
But there are millions who often get nowhere
Despite the some opportunities for success, a large number of individuals are still left with almost no upward mobility.
And there's just one secret I think you should share
Please, just share whatever information or knowledge you may have that can help me attain financial success.
Who wants to be a millionaire?
Is there anyone like me who aspires to acquire great wealth and fortune?
I do! - I don't! - I do!
I am conflicted in my pursuit of wealth and unsure if the sacrifices are worth the end result.
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@samisatlacc7736
That whole first verse is prophetic:
I've seen the future, huh,
I can't afford it and
Tell you the truth, sir,
someone just bought it
Say Mr. Whispers
here come the click of dice
Roulette and blackjack,
build us a paradise
Larger than life and twice as ugly
If we have to live there, you'll have to drug me
@KcLegendary
Thanks for uploading this classic vid. Masterpiece of 1985. ✊
@karlfedermann6110
Why doesn’t this have more views…this is a GREAT song!!
@markgreene6349
ABC..is touring..2023... going down memory lanelistening to these incredible songs
@user-ef7wk6gb4k
"I've seen the future, huh, I can't afford it..." seems prophetic in 2023...
@FantometteBR
For all the animated videos of the 80s, never mentioning this one is a shame
@DreFromMaine8472
Some lines from this were sampled in the Orbital song "Omen". "I've seen the future, huh, I can't afford it!"
@Chuixupu
I'm so happy to finally find this video online. I've always loved animation, so this was probably my favorite video to watch at the time. Great song too, of course. I feel like it's been forgotten.
@steamphoenix8817
I'm personally glad this music video has been put back on YouTube. They kept taking it down, which sucked.
@torresmata
I was born in 1985. And here I am listening to this amazing song that I recently stumbled across.
For those who he spent their teenage years or 20’s/30’s during this decade, I am jealous and congrats.
@HeartOfAn80sGirl
Born in ‘83 here and yes I am jealous of the folks who got to live their teenaged years during this amazing decade.