Affluenza – English Lyrics

• By: THEORY

Lyrics & Translation

Explore social commentary and relatable themes with THEORY's 'Affluenza.' This song offers a critical look at the impact of wealth and materialism, inviting listeners to reflect on societal values and the pursuit of happiness beyond material possessions. Discover how the band blends pop/rock to deliver a powerful message about economic disparity and personal resilience.

[English]

When at school they made fun of my clothes

Out of match shirt slacks, yet my mom made those.

Rich kids smile and ear to ear.

Catch them saying, "Smells like broken here."

I'm getting paid by the song to flex.

When you ain't got four zeros at the end of your checks.

My dad worked hard for a roof overhead.

He never got us gifts, he gave us love instead.

Never spoiled, yeah, I grew up right.

I always dreamed of a better life.

Ethan Couch killing people with his Benz. Yeah.

He got stricken with the affluenza.

SoundCloud rapper all silver and gold.

But he ain't got enough to buy his soul.

Get them Yeezys and Jordans for cash.

Ain't got a dollar to wipe his ass.

We're just buying things we can't afford.

Barely getting by, should we thank the Lord for

all the things that we don't have?

We're all so broke, yeah, face the facts.

Clip on coupons for a family of four.

Minimum wage don't cut it anymore.

Single parents shopping clearance for a brand name.

So you can fit in and pretend you're doing okay.

Never growing up poor makes you strong.

Things are just things, you won't miss them when they're gone.

Worn out boots are up against the sharp edge of a knife.

But tell me, ain't that the life?

We're just buying things we can't afford.

Barely getting by, should we thank the Lord for

all the things that we don't have?

We're all so broke, yeah, face the facts.

We're all about that.

We're all about that.

At 14, there was nothing I could face.

When the worst thing in life was a brain freeze.

Look, Mom, no hands on my Dan speed.

Ghost riding down the street by the Mickey D's.

I'm waving at planes like you see me.

Tell them wild stories like you ever believe me.

Could never pay a cop enough just to chase me.

Yeah, we never had a penny when you raised me.

We're all about that.

We're all about that.

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

We're all about that.

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

We're all about that.

We're just buying things we can't afford.

Barely getting by, should we thank the Lord for

all the things that we don't have?

We're all so broke, yeah, face the facts.

Buying things and need to flex.

All that sh*t on luxury, don't love to flex.

All the things that we don't have?

We're all so broke, yeah, face the facts.

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

Ain't that the life?

We're all about that.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
affluenza /əˈfluːɛnzə/ C1	noun - a psychological condition or a social disease resulting from the desire to be excessively wealthy or the stress of trying to keep up with the Joneses
flex /flɛks/ B2	verb - to show off or boast about something
spoiled /spɔɪld/ B1	adjective - overindulged or pampered, often to a detrimental extent
minimum /ˈmɪnɪməm/ A2	adjective - the least or smallest amount required
clearance /ˈklɪərəns/ B1	noun - the removal of goods from a store at reduced prices
broke /broʊk/ A2	adjective - having little or no money
coupon /ˈkuːpɒn/ A1	noun - a ticket or document that can be exchanged for a financial discount
wage /weɪdʒ/ A2	noun - a fixed regular payment earned for work
pretend /prɪˈtɛnd/ A2	verb - to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when it is not
luxury /ˈlʌkʃəri/ B1	noun - a state of great comfort or extravagant living
brand /brænd/ A2	noun - a specific product or service identified by a name or symbol
sharp /ʃɑːrp/ A1	adjective - having a thin cutting edge or a point
knife /naɪf/ A1	noun - a cutting tool with a sharp blade
boot /buːt/ A1	noun - a type of footwear covering the foot and ankle
edge /ɛdʒ/ A1	noun - the line where an object or area begins or ends
soul /soʊl/ A2	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a person

Key Grammar Structures

• Rich kids smile and ear to ear.

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression

  ➔ The phrase 'ear to ear' is an idiom meaning a very wide smile. It's not literal; it describes the *extent* of the smile.

• Ethan Couch killing people with his Benz. Yeah.

  ➔ Gerund as Subject Complement

  ➔ The word 'killing' functions as a gerund, acting as a noun and describing what Ethan Couch was doing. It's part of a reduced relative clause.

• Never growing up poor makes you strong.

  ➔ Gerund Phrase as Subject

  ➔ The entire phrase 'Never growing up poor' acts as the subject of the sentence. 'Growing up poor' is a gerund phrase.

• Could never pay a cop enough just to chase me.

  ➔ Modal Verb + Infinitive

  ➔ The structure 'Could pay' uses the modal verb 'could' to express possibility, followed by the base form of the verb 'pay' (infinitive).

• We're all about that.

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase as Adverbial Modifier

  ➔ The phrase 'about that' functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a general attitude or agreement. It modifies the verb 'are'.