Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) [Original 7'’ Version]

Song Meaning

This track kicks off with a narrator fed up with "scheming" and "jerks," whose broken-down car signals a desperate need for a change of fortune. The immediate pitch is a transactional partnership: "I've got the brains, you've got the looks." It’s a blunt, almost comically pragmatic offer, aiming squarely at wealth as the ultimate goal. The narrator’s academic credentials from the Sorbonne and mastery of mathematics are presented not as intellectual pursuits, but as tools for a specific, illicit purpose: "I have got the crime." This sets up a core tension between high-minded intellect and low-minded ambition. The central conflict here is the narrator's desire to leverage their considerable intellect for financial gain, even if it means engaging in criminal activity. The lyrics explicitly state, "I can program a computer / Choose the perfect time / If you've got the inclination / I have got the crime." This suggests a willingness to bend or break rules, viewing opportunities as things to be seized or even manufactured. The repeated phrase "Let's make lots of money" acts as a mantra, underscoring the singular focus of this proposed venture. The most striking aspect is the stark contrast between the narrator's sophisticated background and their current, morally ambiguous proposition. They boast of studying at the Sorbonne and holding a doctorate in mathematics, yet their ultimate aim is not academic prestige but illicit profit. This juxtaposition is amplified by the almost childlike simplicity of the chorus, which boils down a complex partnership to a binary of "brains" and "looks" or "brawn." The bridge offers a philosophical twist, suggesting that "if there aren't, you can make them," revealing a proactive, perhaps even ruthless, approach to opportunity. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their audacious honesty and the sharp, almost cynical, portrayal of ambition. The narrator isn't seeking validation or emotional connection; they're seeking a business partner for a potentially illegal enterprise. The final lines, a sudden shift to existential dread about love and death, create a jarring, thought-provoking coda. It’s a stark reminder that even the most pragmatic pursuit of wealth can’t outrun fundamental human anxieties, leaving the listener to ponder the true cost of making "lots of money."