Anthony Newley Follow

I Wanna Be Rich

Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

Look at me--just take a look at me--
A minute ago, I didn't know
Me elbow from me...
Ask just simply anyone--go and ask anyone--
They'll tell you I was greener than the grass.

Ooh, what I mess I was!
Yes, I'll confess I was!
Like a burbling bloody baby at the font!
You don't know the half of it--
But now I just laugh at it!
'Cause now I know exactly what I want.

I wanna be rich, have money to burn.
A thousand a week, say, would do me a turn.
I'd keep it in oncers in case of a slump.
I'd have stacks and stacks and the Income Tax
Could take a running jump.

I've have all me suits made a dozen a time.
I'd buy all the best shares, provided they climb
Give me half a chance, a small advance,
Me fingers itch to make me dirty rotten filthy stinking rich!

Here, Evie, hang on!

Took a look at me--a quick butcher's hook at me--
Now, a minute ago I didn't know a cockle from a whelk.
Can you imagine it? I mean, just imagine it!
Fancy not knowing a cockle from a whelk!

Oh, what a nitt I was! Yes, I'll admit I was!
Like a sloppy, floppy puppy with a ball.
And then, without reason or rhyme--
I was chatting this bird at the time--
I heard a sort of voice within me call.

I wanna be rich and have a big house,
With hundreds of acres and pheasants and grouse.
An American car as long as the street;
And the local birds'll be lost for words--
It'll knock them off their feet.
(Women drivers!)

I wanna be famous and be in the news,
Go out with a film star whenever I choose.
Gimme half a chance to lead a dance
With some rich bitch
And I'll be dirty rotten filthy stinking rich!

Here, Eve, hang on! Evie, wait for us! Eve...Evie!

I wanna be rich and mix with the nobs
And sit in the best seats with all of the snobs.
I may go to Ascot to take in the scene.
In me grey top hat and me spats and that,
I'd be comp'ny for the Queen.

I wanna go trav'ling to Cannes and Capri--
The French Riv-i-er-i-a is my cup of tea.
Gimme half a chance in the South of France
To make my pitch

And I'll be dirty rotten filthy stinking--
I can hear the lolly clinking--
Lots of birds; lots of drinking--
I can guess what you're all thinking--
Dirty rotten filthy stinking rich!