We Won’t Be Happy ’Til We Get It

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a darkly comedic picture of characters driven by pure avarice and a gleeful embrace of villainy. Barnaby details his underhanded scheme to defraud Mary of her inheritance, meticulously outlining his fraudulent practices with a chilling lack of remorse. His satisfaction is tied directly to the acquisition of wealth, regardless of the ethical cost. The repeated phrase, "And I won't be happy 'til I get it," underscores this singular focus on material gain as the sole arbiter of contentment. Gonzorgo’s verse escalates the depravity, revealing a willingness to commit extreme violence for profit. The casual mention of drowning a boy and the desire for cash payment highlight a complete disregard for human life, viewing it merely as a transaction. This shared refrain, "And we won't be happy 'til we get it," binds these disparate characters through their mutual, insatiable greed. It suggests a shared philosophy where happiness is contingent on the successful execution of their criminal enterprises. The chorus from "Both" solidifies their identity as a "gruesome threesome," utterly "rotten to the core." They acknowledge their actions will incite hatred but express a resigned, almost defiant, acceptance of their nature. The lyrics explicitly state, "Makes no difference what the crime," emphasizing that the method is secondary to the outcome: making money. This lack of moral compass is presented not as a struggle, but as an unchangeable fact of their existence, driving their every action. What makes these lyrics so effective is their unflinching portrayal of pure, unadulterated villainy presented with a theatrical, almost cartoonish, glee. The characters don't grapple with morality; they revel in their wickedness. The consistent, driving refrain of "And we won't be happy 'til we get it" serves as the emotional engine, revealing that for these individuals, happiness is not an internal state but an external acquisition, achieved only through the successful completion of their nefarious deeds.