Million Dollar Bills

Lorde's song 'Million Dollar Bills' delves into the complex relationship between wealth, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. The opening lines, 'There's nothing I want but money and time, million dollar bills and the tick-tick-tick-tick,' set the stage for a narrative that explores the desire for financial freedom and the constraints of time. The repetition of 'tick-tick-tick-tick' underscores the relentless passage of time, suggesting that even with immense wealth, time remains a limiting factor.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of escaping societal norms and expectations. Lines like 'We could leave the house, leave the party, let the people know, go drown the colours of our minds and watch the cars go' evoke a sense of rebellion and the desire to break free from conventional life. This imagery of leaving behind the mundane to experience something more vivid and alive speaks to the universal longing for freedom and adventure.

However, the song also acknowledges the pain and sacrifices that come with this pursuit. 'There's nothing that's hurt like letting you go, it's like a bird's eyes in the dark-dark-dark-dark' suggests that the quest for freedom and wealth can lead to emotional loss and isolation. The metaphor of a bird's eyes in the dark conveys a sense of disorientation and loneliness, highlighting the emotional cost of chasing material and temporal freedom. Ultimately, 'Million Dollar Bills' is a poignant reflection on the dual nature of wealth and freedom, capturing both their allure and their inherent limitations.