OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
James Brown
James Brown
Vocals
Fred Thomas
Fred Thomas
Bass
Hearlon Martin
Hearlon Martin
Guitar
Jimmy Nolen
Jimmy Nolen
Guitar
John Starks
John Starks
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
James Brown
James Brown
Songwriter
Charles Bobbit
Charles Bobbit
Songwriter
Fred Wesley
Fred Wesley
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
James Brown
James Brown
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Get down
[Chorus]
Paid the cost to be the boss
Paid the cost to be the boss
I paid the cost to be the boss
[Chorus]
Look at me, you know what you see
You see a bad mother
Look at me, you know what you see
You see a bad mother
[Chorus]
Paid the cost to be the boss
Paid the cost to be the boss
[Chorus]
Look at me, you know what you see
You see a bad mother
Huh
Huh
[Bridge]
Told you so
Told you so
Having fun, I got money to burn
Having fun, I got money to burn
Having fun, I got money to burn
Having fun, I got money to burn
[Chorus]
Paid the cost to be the boss
Paid the cost to be the boss
Paid the cost to be the boss
[Verse 2]
Crossed the tracks, uh, turned my back, uh
Crossed the tracks, uh, turned my back, uh
[Chorus]
Paid the cost to be the boss
[Chorus]
I'm a bad mother
Huh
I'm a bad mother
Head for the turn around
Head for the turn around
Told you so
[Outro]
Paid the cost to be the boss
Written by: Charles Bobbit, Fred Wesley, James Brown

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out