Like Kelis' previous hit "Trick Me", it was released across the world, but not in the U.S. The track is built over an electro-space-funky R&B beat, devired from a sample of Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's 1985 song "La Di Da Di".
It became her third consecutive top three hit in the UK, and it managed to sell a final number 65,000 copies there.
The video, directed by Giuseppe Capotondi, does not feature Kelis or André 3000, and it instead has children playing the roles of young Kelis and André.
Millionaire
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So her got to be witty, witty
She said, him from the country
So him got to be funky, funky
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like a bum
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like the only one
I, I, I, I woke up early this morning
I woke up early this morning
I don't think y'all heard me
I woke up early this morning
I don't think, think y'all heard me
I woke up early this morning, but I still ain't see the sun
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Papa, I'm a millionaire, but Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
Papa, I'm a millionaire, but I ain't moving in the right direction
Something ain't right, I know
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich oh
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich, mmmm
Where there is cheese there are rats
Where ever there are rats there are cats
Where ever there are cats there are dogs
If you got the dogs, you got bitches
Bitches always out to put their paws on your riches
If you got riches, you got glitches
If you got glitches in your life computer, turn it off
And then reboot it, now you back on
Can't just put the cap on the old bottle
Once you pop it, that will spoil it
Go on and drink it and enjoy it, uh
Mama, I'm a millionaire
What's a girl to do when she just has dimes
No time, just pay-ay-ay-ay
What's a girl to do instead of me
It's you, be true-ue-ue-ue
What's a girl to do in a world of greed
But kneel and pray-ay-ay-ay
What's a girl to do when she's lost her long time friends
That's li-i-i-i-ife
I, I'm feeling sad like a million bucks
I, I, I, I, I, I'm feeling sad like a million
I, I, I'm feeling sad like a million
Sad like a million
I, I, I, I, I, I'm feeling sad
The first verse of the song "Millionaire" by Kelis highlights the different perspectives and expectations that the two lovers have coming from different backgrounds. The woman is from the city and expects her partner to be witty, while the man is from the country and expects his lover to be funky. This reflects the common cultural stereotypes and assumptions that people have about others from different places. However, the song is not necessarily about these differences but rather about the struggle of being a millionaire and still feeling like something is missing.
In the chorus, Kelis sings about feeling like a bum despite her wealth, which indicates that money alone cannot bring happiness. She wakes up early but still does not see the sun, which symbolizes the darkness in her life despite her material success. Kelis acknowledges that material possessions cannot replace affection and love ("Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection"), and she feels like she is not moving in the right direction. The lyrics about becoming rich together emphasize the importance of community and sharing one's success with others.
The second verse of the song talks about the harsh realities of wealth and success. Kelis uses the metaphor of rats and cats to describe how bitches (or gold-diggers) will try to take advantage of rich people, and glitches in one's life might come with material success. However, Kelis advises not to bottle up life's joys but to drink them and enjoy them instead. The last parts of the song talk about feeling sad despite having material success and facing the challenges of greed and losing long-time friends.
Line by Line Meaning
I said, her from the city
So her got to be witty, witty
She said, him from the country
So him got to be funky, funky
People from different places have their own traits; city people are witty and country people are funky.
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like a bum
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like the only one
I, I, I, I woke up early this morning
I don't think y'all heard me
I woke up early this morning
I don't think y'all heard me
I woke up early this morning
I don't think, think y'all heard me
I woke up early this morning, but I still ain't see the sun
Being wealthy doesn't mean happiness; the singer feels lonely and unappreciated despite being a millionaire.
Papa, I'm a millionaire, but Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
Papa, I'm a millionaire, but I ain't moving in the right direction
Something ain't right, I know
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich oh
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich
I ain't rich, til he is rich, and she is rich, then we is rich, mmmm
Money can't buy love or happiness; the singer realizes that she's not content and won't be unless everyone around her is wealthy too.
Where there is cheese there are rats
Where ever there are rats there are cats
Where ever there are cats there are dogs
If you got the dogs, you got bitches
Bitches always out to put their paws on your riches
If you got riches, you got glitches
If you got glitches in your life computer, turn it off
And then reboot it, now you back on
Can't just put the cap on the old bottle
Once you pop it, that will spoil it
Go on and drink it and enjoy it, uh
Mama, I'm a millionaire
People will be attracted to wealth, but it often comes with complications; the artist advises refreshing and enjoying life when it gets complicated, just like fixing a computer.
What's a girl to do when she just has dimes
No time, just pay-ay-ay-ay
What's a girl to do instead of me
It's you, be true-ue-ue-ue
What's a girl to do in a world of greed
But kneel and pray-ay-ay-ay
What's a girl to do when she's lost her long time friends
That's li-i-i-i-ife
Being a young woman can be tough, but one should stay true to oneself and find strength in prayer; losing friends is just a part of life.
I, I'm feeling sad like a million bucks
I, I, I, I, I, I'm feeling sad like a million
I, I, I'm feeling sad like a million
Sad like a million
I, I, I, I, I, I'm feeling sad
Despite being rich, the singer is feeling down and feels this way often.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Douglas Davis, Ricky Walters, Kelis Rogers, Andre Benjamin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@midnightrayne2469
The song, the beat, the lyrics, the adorable kids, the video! I love it all! It’s mesmerizing. The early 2000’s was a beautiful time.
Blessed🥰
@MaisonwwUntilusDavis
It’s not better than all my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
@quesoqueso7598
Depends on what you like more
@PeepersT
These lyrics just hit different during this time we're living through, this song was years ahead of its time. At the time I thought it was a banger and still do, but these lyrics! "I know I ain't rich, 'til he is rich, 'til she rich, and we is rich"? "No time, just pay"? Damn. Criminally underrated.
@vhsuniverse2624
idk if u listen to kelis religiously, but her song called ghetto children is also criminally underrated and timeless. Check it out if you havent
@saritamilla9177
Not really ahead of the time. That sentiment is timeless. Valid from prehistory all the way far into the future.
@vhsuniverse2624
@@saritamilla9177 i think they just mean that it can be enjoyed today as though it was made for today's style. Obviously, some of the foundations to today's music whether one agrees or not, but didnt receive much recognition.
@cali22boi
@@vhsuniverse2624 wasn't that written by Pharrell Williams?
@feeniix6
Kelis is soooo underrated. Its sad.
@reginageorge9125
I don’t feel like real people need the notoriety 🧑🏽🎤🖕🏽👻💩👾😍