Meaning and Lyrics of Greenback Boogie by Ima Robot

Song Lyrics meaning of Greenback Boogie by Ima Robot

About Ima Robot

Ima Robot is an eclectic indie rock band formed in Los Angeles in the late 1990s. The group was originally fronted by Alex Ebert, who later gained fame as the lead singer of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Known for their quirky blend of electronic, punk, and dance-rock, Ima Robot burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2003. Their sound was a peculiar mix of new wave nostalgia and futuristic synth-pop, earning them comparisons to acts like Devo and The Talking Heads.

The band’s breakthrough came with their second album, “Monument to the Masses” (2006), which featured more polished production and catchy singles like “Creeps Me Out.” However, it was their 2010 release “Another Man’s Treasure” that brought them wider recognition, particularly with the track “Greenback Boogie.”

“Greenback Boogie” gained significant exposure as the theme song for the popular USA Network legal drama “Suits”. The song’s infectious groove and sardonic lyrics about money and power perfectly captured the show’s slick, corporate atmosphere.

While Ima Robot has been less active in recent years due to members’ involvement in other projects, their influence on the indie rock scene of the 2000s remains noteworthy, bridging the gap between dance-punk and electro-pop with their distinctively offbeat style.

Meaning of Greenback Boogie by Ima Robot

“Greenback Boogie” by Ima Robot paints a vivid picture of the pursuit of money, success, and material wealth. The lyrics of the song delve into the idea that everyone desires a taste of luxury and comfort in life, whether it’s through decadent meals, expensive pies, or the finer things that money can buy.

In the verses, the singer talks about working hard for a living, with lines like “So working on a little job in the night, It’s forty dollars an hour when I see the light,” reflecting the grind of everyday work to earn a living. There’s a sense of rebellion against conformity and a yearning for freedom and individuality, symbolized by the desire to be free and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

The chorus, with its intense energy and catchiness, seems to celebrate a sense of achievement and self-assurance. It’s a call to action, a declaration of confidence and defiance against societal norms. The repeated mention of the “greenback boogie” and “m***********g boogie” conveys a sense of swagger and rebelliousness.

The bridge of the song introduces a contrasting message, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from generosity and giving rather than hoarding wealth. The mention of “It’s called the greenback boogie, What people don’t say, I say, It’s better when you give it away” brings a shift in perspective, hinting at the idea that real paradise lies in sharing and giving back.

The outro reflects a cycle of seeking wealth and then potentially realizing that true happiness may not necessarily come from material possessions. The repetition of “C’mon back to paradise” suggests a continuous journey towards finding fulfillment beyond money and consumerism.

Overall, “Greenback Boogie” can be interpreted as a reflection on the pursuit of wealth and success, the conflict between materialism and inner fulfillment, and the realization that true happiness may lie in simpler joys and generosity.

Lyrics of Greenback Boogie by Ima Robot

Verse 1
See the money, wanna stay for your meal
Get another piece of pie for your wife
Everybody wanna know how it feel
Everybody wanna see what it's like
Well, baby wanna be a queen? Well, alright
We all deserve the finer things in this life

Verse 2
So working on a little job in the night
It's forty dollars an hour when I see the light
The boss is sayin' I look tired, I don't mind
He'll be working in a small box 'til he die
Well, me, I gotta be free all my life
I want a little cream cheese in my pie

Chorus
Alright, yeah!
All get back, if you don't dance
The greenback boogie
m***********g boogie

Verse 3
Now I'm putting on a big wig, walkin' hard
Hanging with them big pigs, all them dogs
Got me a couple ideas straight from God
I want a bean pie, order me a bean pie
Living in a beehive, I don't mind
Me and Missy, it's so early, busy, busy making money

Chorus
Alright
All step back, I'm 'bout to dance
The greenback boogie
The greenback boogie

Bridge
Boogie now for me, hey!
Say, it's far better
When you give it away
It's called the greenback boogie
What people don't say, I say
It's better
When you give it away
It's called the greenback boogie
Don't give it all away now, I say
It's better (C'mon back to paradise)
When you give it away (C'mon back to paradise)
It's called the greenback boogie (C'mon back to paradise)
Don't give it all away now, I say (C'mon back to, c'mon back to)

Verse 4
See the money, wanna stay for your meal
They'll say it's gonna put some love in your life
Don't you really wanna know how it feel?
Everybody wanna see what it's like
Babe, you wanna be inside, it ain't lies
We all know there's better things in this life

Chorus
All step back, I'm about to dance
On the greenback boogie
m***********g boogie
Boogie-oogie-oogie
Greenback boogie

Outro
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to, c'mon back to)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to, c'mon back to)
It's the greenback boogie (C'mon back to paradise)
It's the greenback boogie (C'mon back to paradise)
Don't give it all away now (C'mon back to paradise)
Don't give it all away now, I say (C'mon back to, c'mon back to)
It's better (C'mon back to paradise)
When you greenback boogie (C'mon back to paradise)
Well, don't give it all away (C'mon back to paradise)
Well, don't give it all away, I say (C'mon back to, c'mon back to)
It's better (C'mon back to paradise)
It's the greenback boogie (C'mon back to paradise)
Don't give it all away (C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to, c'mon back to)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to paradise)
(C'mon back to, c'mon back to)

Discography Ima Robot

Another Man's Treasure

Release: 2010-10-19
Label: Werewolf Heart Records
1. One Man’s Trash
2. Ruthless
3. Rough Night
4. Life Is Short
5. Sail With Me
6. Pass it On
7. Shine Shine
8. Swell
Tracklist Collapse

Monument To The Masses

Release: 2006-01-01
Label: Werewolf Heart Records
1. Disconnect
2. Creeps Me Out
3. Cool Cool Universe
4. The Beat
5. Eskimo Ride
6. Chip Off The Block
7. Happy Annie
8. Pouring Pain
9. Stick It To The Man
10. What Comes Tomorrow
11. Lovers In Captivity
12. Dangerous Life
Tracklist Collapse

Ima Robot

Release: 2003-01-01
Label: Virgin Records
l
1. Dynomite
2. Song #1
3. Alive
4. Scream
5. A Is For Action
6. Dirty Life
7. Let’s Talk Turkey
8. Philosophofee
9. 12=3 (Here Come The Doctors)
10. Here Comes The Bombs
11. What Are We Made From
Tracklist Collapse
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