Millionaire (feat. André 3000)

Kelis's song 'Millionaire,' featuring André 3000, delves into the complex relationship between wealth and personal fulfillment. The lyrics juxtapose the material success of being a millionaire with feelings of emptiness and disconnection. Kelis opens the song by highlighting the differences between city and country life, setting the stage for a broader discussion on the superficiality of wealth. Despite her financial success, she feels like a 'bum' and struggles to find genuine happiness, as indicated by her repeated assertion that she woke up early but still hasn't 'seen the Sun.' This metaphor suggests a lack of enlightenment or true satisfaction despite her riches.

The chorus emphasizes the hollowness of material wealth. Kelis sings about being a millionaire but feeling directionless and unfulfilled. The line 'sex and abs don't sale affection' underscores the idea that physical attributes and superficial relationships cannot replace genuine emotional connections. This sentiment is further explored in the verse where she mentions that having riches brings 'glitches,' implying that wealth can complicate life rather than simplify it. The metaphor of 'glitches in your life computer' suggests that even with all the resources, life can still be problematic and require constant 'rebooting' or reevaluation.

André 3000's contribution adds another layer to the song's meaning. He uses a series of metaphors involving animals—rats, cats, dogs, and 'bitches'—to illustrate the predatory nature of people who are attracted to wealth. This imagery paints a picture of a world where trust is scarce, and everyone is out to take advantage of each other. The song concludes with a series of rhetorical questions that reflect the existential dilemmas faced by someone who has achieved material success but lost touch with more meaningful aspects of life, such as time, true relationships, and spiritual peace. Through 'Millionaire,' Kelis and André 3000 offer a poignant critique of the emptiness that can accompany wealth, urging listeners to seek deeper fulfillment beyond material possessions.