​[Intro]
(Elegant acoustic piano chords and a walking Minimoog bass build into a sophisticated 113BPM urban jazz funk groove.)
​[Verse 1]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS)
Concrete canyons rise so high
Hungry looks in every eye
Searching for a fountain stone
Trying to call my soul my own
Urban rhythm, understand
​[Instrumental Break]
(Quick syncopated horn hits and a snappy Clavinet riff.)
​[Verse 2: Call & Response Section]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS and MELODIC MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
(CALL) I see the shiny cars so grand and tall
(GROUP RESPONSE) THEY’RE STANDING TALL, BEFORE THE MIGHTY FALL
(CALL) But behind those rings, the writing’s on the wall
(GROUP RESPONSE) IT’S ON THE WALL, REVEALED TO ONE AND ALL
(CALL) Hunger for the power is a price to pay
(GROUP RESPONSE) YOU’VE GOT TO PAY, IN EVERY SINGLE WAY
(CALL) Don't let the rhythm slip away
(GROUP RESPONSE) DON’T SLIP AWAY, IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY
(CALL) Listen to the melody, listen to the sound
(GROUP RESPONSE) IT’S ALL AROUND, WITHIN THIS URBAN GROUND
​[Pre-Chorus]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
Game of give and take, struggle every day
Hard and dusty way, price we have to pay
Don’t let the spirit die
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD) Reach for the sky!
​[Chorus 1]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GREEN STUFF, NEVER ENOUGH
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GETTING RICH, LIFE’S A STITCH
​[Verse 3]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS)
Brother selling all his dreams
Vanished in the dusty schemes
Left with just an empty stare
Pressure hanging in the air
I won’t let my life pass by
​[Verse 4]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS)
Lesson in the funky beat
Soul of everyone you meet
Better watch your heart and soul
Paper takes a heavy toll
I keep my vision steady true
​[Bridge 1: Extended Long Melodic Jazz Funk Instrumental]
(An expansive instrumental showcase. An elegant acoustic piano solo flows over a driving bassline, followed by a warm Fender Rhodes section with phaser. The horn section interjects with complex, jazzy arrangements as the percussion intensifies.)
​[Chorus 2]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GREEN STUFF, NEVER ENOUGH
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GETTING RICH, LIFE’S A STITCH
​[Verse 5: Call & Response Section]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS and MELODIC MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
(CALL) Some people do the right or do the wrong
(GROUP RESPONSE) RIGHT OR WRONG, WE’VE KNOWN IT ALL ALONG
(CALL) Greed is like a fever fast and strong
(GROUP RESPONSE) FAST AND STRONG, SING THE FREEDOM SONG
(CALL) I’m gonna keep my spirit clean
(GROUP RESPONSE) KEEP IT CLEAN, YOU KNOW JUST WHAT I MEAN
(CALL) Won't let the chase turn me to a machine
(GROUP RESPONSE) A MACHINE, RUSTY AND UNSEEN
(CALL) Truth is in the music, let it shine through
(GROUP RESPONSE) SHINE THROUGH, IN EVERYTHING YOU DO
​[Verse 6]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS)
City starts to brightly glow
Secret that the world won't know
Wealth is in the love we share
Scattered almost everywhere
Paper has no power now
​[Bridge 2: Funky Low Voice Harmony]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
GET THE MONEY, KEEP YOUR MIND
DON’T LEAVE YOUR HEART BEHIND
PAPER FLOWING, WINDS ARE BLOWING
EVERYBODY’S GOT TO KEEP ON GOING
​[Verse 7]
(EARTHY BARITONE LEAD MALE VOCALS)
New day dawning, spirit free
Looking at what's meant to be
No more chasing, no more fear
Now the message is so clear
Walking on a higher ground
​[Instrumental Break]
(Driving bass groove with rhythmic hand claps and a shimmering Yamaha CP-80 flourish.)
​[Chorus 3: Grand Finale]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GREEN STUFF, NEVER ENOUGH
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) GETTING RICH, LIFE’S A STITCH
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PAPER
(GROUP RESPONSE) KEEP THE FAITH, KEEP IT TOUGH
​[Outro]
(MELODIC DEEP MALE HARMONY CHORUS)
(CALL) All about that paper! (GROUP RESPONSE) THAT PAPER!
(CALL) Don't let it change you! (GROUP RESPONSE) NO, NO!
(CALL) Stay smooth, keep the groove!
(Final melodic piano flourish and a solid, resonant bass hit.)