You know that feeling when you're three episodes deep into a Suits marathon on Netflix, and you start humming along to that groovy, bass-heavy intro? Of course you do. But then the lyrics kick in, and suddenly you’re just making rhythmic "mumble-growl" noises because, honestly, the words to the theme song for Suits are some of the most misunderstood lyrics in television history.
It’s called "Greenback Boogie."
The track is by a group called Imaad Wasif and the Bean Pie, though most people just credit it to Imaad Wasif, a prolific singer-songwriter who has worked with everyone from Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Lykke Li. It’s got that greasy, 70s-inspired funk-rock vibe that feels like a crisp Tom Ford suit looks. But for years, fans have been debating what he’s actually saying. Is it about a bean pie? Is it about stepmothers?
Let’s get into the weeds of these lyrics because they actually tell you everything you need to know about Harvey Specter’s world before a single line of dialogue is even spoken.
The mystery of the "Bean Pie" and those opening lines
If you look up the lyrics on most amateur sites, you’ll see a mess. Some people swear the opening line is "See the money wanna stay," while others hear "See the money wanna play." The official lyrics for the words to the theme song for Suits actually start with: "See the money wanna stay, for your check-out time."
It sets the tone immediately.
Money isn’t just a tool in this show; it’s a character. It’s the "Greenback." But then things get weird. The song mentions a "stepmother" and "bean pie." Why? Wasif isn’t just throwing words together. The "bean pie" is a cultural staple, often associated with the Nation of Islam in American urban environments, but here it serves as a metaphor for the "hustle." It’s about the struggle of the streets versus the high-rise offices of Pearson Hardman.
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Think about Mike Ross. He starts the series running weed to pay for his grandmother’s care. He’s the "bean pie" trying to become a "greenback."
Most people get the chorus wrong, too. You’ve probably shouted "Greenback Boogie!" at your TV, but the full line is actually: "Gonna step on the break, over stepmother’s brake, and the greenback boogie." Or is it? Even the official liner notes have been debated by audiophiles. Some argue it’s "Step on the bridge," implying a crossing over from one life to another. It’s that ambiguity that makes it work. It feels illicit. It feels like a secret.
Why the song actually fits Harvey and Mike's dynamic
The song wasn't written specifically for the show—it was released on Wasif's 2008 album—but the producers of Suits (originally titled A Legal Mind) struck gold with it.
Music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, the genius who basically defined the sound of the 2000s through The O.C. and Grey’s Anatomy, picked it. She knew the show needed something that didn't sound like a typical procedural. It couldn't be orchestral. It couldn't be boring. It needed swagger.
The "boogie" in the title refers to a dance, sure, but in this context, it’s the "hustle." The "greenback" is the old-school slang for a dollar bill. When you look at the words to the theme song for Suits in their entirety, the song describes a world of quick moves and high stakes.
"I'll even eat a bean pie, I don't mind."
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That line is pure Mike Ross. It’s the "I’ll do whatever it takes to survive" mentality. Meanwhile, the slick, distorted guitar riff represents Harvey. It’s polished but has a dangerous edge.
Breaking down the full lyrics (The parts you don't hear on TV)
The TV edit is short. It’s only about 30 seconds. But the full song is a nearly five-minute journey into psychedelic funk. If you’ve only heard the snippet, you’re missing the darker undercurrents of the track.
The full version includes lines like:
"Don't let 'em give you the short end of the stick / You gotta make a little move, you gotta make it quick."
That is basically the entire series condensed into two lines. Whether it’s Mike dodging a drug bust in the pilot or Harvey outmaneuvering Louis Litt in a mock trial, the theme is always about speed and leverage. The song warns that if you aren't dancing the "boogie," you’re getting left behind.
Interestingly, there’s a recurring mention of "The world is mine" and "It's a crying shame." This juxtaposition is what makes Suits more than just a legal drama. It’s a tragedy dressed in a three-piece suit. Harvey has everything—the condo, the car, the record collection—but the "crying shame" is the loneliness and the constant fear of being "found out" (in Mike's case, literally).
Misheard lyrics that became fan canon
Because Wasif’s delivery is so stylized and gravelly, the internet has birthed some hilarious variations of the words to the theme song for Suits.
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- The "Step-monkey" theory: For years, a vocal group of fans on Reddit insisted the lyric was "Step on the monkey." It makes zero sense, but if you listen closely to the TV edit, you can kind of hear it.
- The "Mother's Bread" theory: Instead of "Stepmother's brake," many heard "Mother's bread," which fits the money theme.
- The "Pizza Pie" gaffe: I’ve heard people unironically sing "I'll even eat a pizza pie" during the intro. It’s bean pie. Specifically, a navy bean pie.
The fact that we’re still debating these words over a decade after the show premiered says a lot about the track's staying power. It’s an earworm that refuses to be solved.
The impact of "Greenback Boogie" on the show's identity
Would Suits have been as successful with a different song? Honestly, probably not.
Think about other legal dramas of that era. The Good Wife had a very traditional, cinematic score. Boston Legal was quirky. But Suits felt cool. It felt like a heist movie that happened to take place in a law firm. The words to the theme song for Suits gave the show its "New York Cool" credentials, even though the series was mostly filmed in Toronto.
The song creates a specific psychological state. By the time the drums kick in and Wasif starts his growl, you are primed to watch someone win a negotiation through sheer confidence. It’s the ultimate "get hyped" music for corporate ambition.
Actionable ways to enjoy the Suits soundtrack further
If you're obsessed with the vibe of the theme song, don't stop at the intro. The music in Suits is curated with incredible precision. Here is how you can actually dive deeper into that soundscape:
- Listen to the full "Greenback Boogie" on high-quality audio: Forget the compressed YouTube clips. Find the track on a high-bitrate platform like Tidal or Apple Music. You’ll hear layers of percussion and a second guitar track that are completely lost in the TV edit. It changes the experience.
- Explore the "Suits" Spotify playlists: The show is famous for its use of indie soul and blues-rock. Look for artists like Charles Bradley, The Heavy, and Gary Clark Jr. if you like the "Greenback Boogie" sound.
- Check out Imaad Wasif’s other work: If you think he’s just a "one-hit wonder" for a TV theme, you’re wrong. His album Strange Winds is a masterclass in atmospheric rock. It's much moodier than the theme song, but it carries that same "noir" DNA.
- Watch for the "musical callbacks": Throughout the nine seasons, pay attention to when the theme is stripped down or played on a piano during emotional beats. It’s a great way to see how a simple melody can be transformed into a narrative tool.
The words to the theme song for Suits might be hard to decipher at first, but once you know them, you can’t unhear them. They aren't just lyrics; they're the blueprint for the entire show. Next time the episode starts, you can finally stop mumbling and actually sing along—just make sure you get the "bean pie" part right.