Released: 2017
Chris Stapleton’s “Millionaire” is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of love, appreciation, and the real value of life. At its heart, the song celebrates love as the ultimate wealth, arguing passionately that emotional bonds trump material possessions every time. Let’s peel back the layers and dive into the underlying meanings of this soulful anthem.
The opening lines, “They say love is more precious than gold / It can’t be bought and it can’t be sold”, set the scene. Here, Stapleton is stressing the invaluable nature of love, a commodity so rare and pure that no amount of gold could ever purchase it. When he says, “I got love, enough to spare / That made me a millionaire”, he’s not talking dollars and cents. He’s richer in the emotional sense, basking in the wealth of love that’s far more satisfying than any material riches.
The imagery of his partner, “a woman with eyes that shine / Down deep as a millennia-old diamond mine,” reinforces the theme. Stapleton doesn’t merely see his partner as a person but as a treasure, illuminating the darkness, more valuable than the rarest of gems. This comparison elevates their shared love, making it something beyond the mundane, into the extraordinary.
The verse about riding “around this old town in my beat up car / With the windows down” gives a glimpse into Stapleton’s perception of luxury. It’s not about having the fanciest car but the freedom and joy derived from simple pleasures. The reactions of onlookers, who see them as embodiments of “luxury, sweet luxury,” highlight a common misconception in society—that visible wealth is the key to happiness. Here, Stapleton cleverly subverts this, suggesting that true luxury comes from the heart, not the wallet.
Finally, the lines “When my pockets are empty and my cupboard is bare / I still feel like a millionaire”, hammer home the central message. Despite financial difficulties, the wealth Stapleton derives from love makes him feel like the richest man in the world. It’s a poignant reminder that at the end of the day, it’s who we have in our lives, not what we have that counts.
In “Millionaire”, Chris Stapleton doesn’t just sing a song; he delivers a sermon on the true value of love over material wealth. He speaks to the heart with a voice that’s as authentic as the message he’s conveying, reminding us all that in the game of life, love is the real jackpot.
