"Billionaire" is the debut single by American recording artist Travie McCoy, featuring guest vocals from Bruno Mars. It is the lead single from McCoy's debut studio album, Lazarus. The song was produced by The Smeezingtons, which consists of Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. Lyrically, McCoy imagines what would happen if he became a billionaire, referencing all the good he would do to others with the money along with his desire to be on the cover of Forbes magazine, "smiling next to Oprah and The Queen". As of July 2011, the song has sold 3 million digital downloads, making it Mars' third single to do so.
Bruno Mars came up with the lyrical concept for "Billionaire" during a trip to London in which he was given £240 ($350) by his record label to spend for 11 days. He found the amount of money to be insufficient, and explained "We were like, 'Is this the biggest mistake we've ever made? We thought we were broke in California; what are we going to do here?' So we've got no money, and I'm walking the streets and came up with, 'I wanna be a billionaire, so freakin' bad.'" With the song, McCoy intended to avoid "superficial" lyrics in the wake of an economic recession, and added "There’s something to sing about here; if I was in the position to have a ridiculous amount of money, would I be selfish or selfless?’ I just took that concept and ran with it."
I can see it
It's funny man
Cause it's like it's not going nowhere
And you gon' see it wherever there's struggle
[Once in a while I do look at you]
I see my pain in your eyes man
[To see that twinkle in your eyes]
So I know you're feelin' me
It's that twinkle man
That sign of struggle
I've seen it
In me
Cause everyday I can't help but see it
People ain't satisfied
And you're hatin' your 9 to 5
and Everybody wanna live another life
But ain't no length you go or mountain you climb
Not to better your days
All That would do is leave room for people to say
"I guess you're livin' better now
Share a little bit of that cheddar now"
Cause I remember days back when
A brother was hustlin' and robbin' too
I done tossed the baretta now
On a whole nother level now
Still I can't enjoy my fame
Unless my people doin' the same
And gettin' money too
[Once in awhile I couldn't look at you]
Oh once in awhile
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you don't ever wanna struggle no more
[Once in awhile I couldn't look at you]
Once in awhile
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more
Cause every time you ask me, I'm grindin'
It shouldn't have to be that way
You shouldn't have to pay my way
I shouldn't have to want for a brighter day
Got a little little problem on the way
Bounty hunters checkin' state to state
Child support lady on your case
Not to mention tickets you ain't never paid
Oh what must I do
that's what you'll be askin'
God please hold it down for me
Don't let Satan get the hold of me
I'm tryin' to tell you it can happen to me too
But it happened a lot worse to my brother
Muhammad thank God he recovered
[Once in awhile I choose look at you]
Once in awhile
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you never wanna struggle no more
[Once in awhile I choose look at you]
Look in your eyes
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more
[Once in awhile I choose look at you]
'Cause I see your pain now
'Cause I see your pain now
I can feel you strain now
And I can see you cryin'
And inside you're dyin'
We're no longer the same now
But you got to make change now
[Once in awhile I do look at you]
Once in awhile
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you don't ever struggle no more
[Once in awhile I do look at you]
Once in awhile
[and see the twinkle in your eyes]
And I can see that you don't ever wanna cry no more
Don't wanna cry no more
And I can see
That you don't ever want to struggle no more