Mr. Briefcase
Lee Ritenour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sold his soul to reach his goal
Working his way up the ladder
Success is the ends and his lies are the means
Business cards, big cigars
Smiles conceal a rotten deal
Money can talk and he knows it
Oh – It's a rat race, Mr. Briefcase
Can you keep pace, Mr. Briefcase?
What do you keep in that bag of tricks?
Is there anything at all in that briefcase?
If I sign my name must I play the game?
A deal's a deal when it's signed and sealed
No time to feel sorry for losers
A cat gets the mouse and the dog eats the dog – Oh
Oh – It's a rat race, Mr. Briefcase
Can you keep pace, Mr. Briefcase?
What do you keep in that bag of tricks?
Is there anything at all in that briefcase?
Businessman, shake my hand
Tell me lies, but hide your eyes
Hang on real tight to your briefcase
If you should lose it, you'll have to stand naked like me
It's a rat race, Mr. Briefcase
Can you keep pace, Mr. Briefcase?
What do you keep in that bag of tricks?
Is there anything at all?
Oh – It's a rat race, Mr. Briefcase
Can you keep pace, Mr. Briefcase?
What do you keep in that bag of tricks?
Is there anything at all?
Is there anything at all?
Is there anything at all in that briefcase?
The lyrics to Lee Ritenour's "Mr. Briefcase" depict the story of a successful businessman who has achieved his goals through dishonest means. The verses describe how the businessman has sold his soul to reach his position, lying his way up the ladder and conducting shady deals with a big smile on his face. Ritenour emphasizes the idea that the business world can be a "rat race", where those who can't keep up will be left behind.
The chorus poses three questions to "Mr. Briefcase," asking whether he can keep up, what he keeps in his "bag of tricks," and if there is anything at all in his briefcase. These questions can be interpreted to question the businessman's morals, ethics, and motivation behind his actions. In the last verse, Ritenour compares himself to the businessman and warns him that he could end up like him, losing everything he has worked for and ending up naked.
Overall, "Mr. Briefcase" is a commentary on the dark side of the corporate world, where success often comes at a steep price and moral compromise is a common occurrence.
Line by Line Meaning
Businessman, green sedan
A businessman on his way to work in a green sedan.
Sold his soul to reach his goal
He has compromised his values and principles to achieve success.
Working his way up the ladder
He has been steadily climbing the corporate ladder.
Success is the ends and his lies are the means
Success is his ultimate goal, for which he uses deceitful tactics.
Business cards, big cigars
He has all the trappings of a successful businessman: fancy business cards and expensive cigars.
Smiles conceal a rotten deal
He puts on a friendly facade, but his deals are unethical and corrupt.
Money can talk and he knows it
He understands the power of money and how it can influence people and situations.
One piece of paper can make you or break you apart
A single document can either make or break a deal or even a career.
If I sign my name must I play the game?
He wonders if he has to play dirty to make it in the business world.
A deal's a deal when it's signed and sealed
Once a deal is signed and sealed, it is legally binding.
No time to feel sorry for losers
He has no sympathy for those who do not excel in the cutthroat business world.
A cat gets the mouse and the dog eats the dog – Oh
The business world is like a jungle, where the stronger prey on the weaker.
Businessman, shake my hand
The businessman greets someone, possibly a potential business partner.
Tell me lies, but hide your eyes
He expects the businessman to lie to him, and doesn't want him to reveal his true intentions.
Hang on real tight to your briefcase
The briefcase represents the businessman's power and success that he doesn't want to lose.
If you should lose it, you'll have to stand naked like me
If the businessman loses his power and success, he will be left with nothing, just like the person speaking.
It's a rat race, Mr. Briefcase
The business world is a competitive and cutthroat environment.
Can you keep pace, Mr. Briefcase?
The person speaking questions the businessman's ability to succeed in the competitive business world.
What do you keep in that bag of tricks?
The briefcase is seen as a toolbox of sorts, containing whatever the businessman needs to succeed.
Is there anything at all in that briefcase?
The artist questions the actual value of what the businessman carries in his briefcase.
Writer(s): ERIC TAGG
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.