If you’ve spent any time bingeing the legal drama that turned Meghan Markle and Gabriel Macht into household names, you know the feeling. That funky, slightly frantic bassline kicks in. A raspy voice starts mumbling about money and pie. You probably don’t know half the words, but you’re already nodding along. The Suits TV show theme song is one of those rare TV intros that shouldn't work—but somehow, it’s iconic.
It’s called "Greenback Boogie." It was performed by a band named Ima Robot. Honestly, before the show premiered in 2011, almost nobody had heard of them outside of a few indie circles in Los Angeles. But once USA Network paired their track with slow-mo shots of Harvey Specter and Mike Ross walking through Manhattan, everything changed.
The Mystery of the Lyrics (Wait, Did He Say Bean Pie?)
Let’s be real. Most of us have spent years humming along to this song without actually knowing what the hell Alex Ebert is singing. For a long time, fans on Reddit and old-school forums argued over whether the line was "I'll even eat a bean pie" or "living in a beehive of your mind."
It turns out, the "bean pie" crowd was right.
The official lyrics are: "I'll even eat a bean pie, I don't mind. Me and Missy is so early busy busy makin' money."
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It’s weird. It’s funky. It’s kind of nonsensical if you’re looking for a deep legal metaphor. But that’s the charm. The suits tv show theme song wasn't written for the show; it was a B-side from Ima Robot’s 2010 album, Another Man's Treasure. The show’s creators didn't want a generic orchestral score. They wanted something that felt like a "boogie"—a celebration of the hustle, the greed, and the high-stakes world of corporate law.
Why "Greenback Boogie" Actually Fits the Show
You might wonder why a song about "greenbacks" (slang for U.S. dollar bills) and dancing fits a show about lawyers in $5,000 suits. On the surface, it feels a bit too "indie rock" for the glass-walled offices of Pearson Hardman.
But look closer at the lyrics:
- "See the money wanna stay for your meal"
- "Get another piece of pie for your wife"
- "Everybody wanna know how it feel"
The song is basically a critique of capitalism and the "boogie" people do to get ahead. It’s about the relentless pursuit of more. That’s the entire engine of the show. Harvey Specter isn't just winning cases; he’s winning the game of life. Mike Ross isn't just a fraud; he’s a guy trying to get his "piece of the pie" after being shut out. The song captures that gritty, ambitious energy perfectly.
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Who Exactly Is Ima Robot?
The band behind the track is actually more influential than people realize. Lead singer Alex Ebert eventually went on to form Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Yeah, the "Home" guys.
Ima Robot formed back in 1998. They were part of that early 2000s Los Angeles scene that mixed punk, electronic, and funk. Before "Greenback Boogie" became the suits tv show theme song, the band had a few minor hits, but they never really hit the mainstream.
It’s funny how a single licensing deal can change a band's legacy. For millions of people, Ima Robot isn't a "dance-punk band from LA." They are the "Suits band."
The Evolution of the Opening Credits
One thing most fans don't notice is that the theme song stayed the same for all nine seasons, but the visuals changed.
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In the early years, the intro focused heavily on Harvey and Mike. It was all about the duo. As the show evolved into an ensemble drama, the visuals shifted. By the time we got to Season 8—the "post-Mike and Rachel" era—the intro had to be totally revamped to include stars like Katherine Heigl and Dulé Hill.
Yet, they never touched the song. They knew better. If you changed that bassline, fans would have rioted.
Common Misconceptions About the Theme
I’ve seen a lot of weird theories about this song over the years. Let’s clear some up:
- It wasn't written for the show. As mentioned, it existed before Suits was even a pilot.
- The version in the show is edited. The full song is over five minutes long and includes some lyrics that are definitely not "cable TV friendly."
- It’s not Curtis Mayfield. I’ve heard people swear it’s a 70s soul track. It’s not. It’s a modern indie song designed to sound like it has that vintage grit.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're a die-hard fan looking to deep dive into the music of the show, here's what you should do next:
- Listen to the full version: Go find the 5-minute version of "Greenback Boogie" on Spotify or YouTube. It has a much darker, weirder vibe than the 30-second TV clip.
- Check out the rest of the soundtrack: Suits is famous for its "Harvey Specter" playlist. Music supervisor Christopher Tyng did an incredible job picking soulful, bluesy tracks that define the show's aesthetic.
- Watch the Season 8 intro again: Notice how the rhythm of the song is edited differently to match the new cast's walking speed. It's a subtle masterclass in TV editing.
The suits tv show theme song is more than just background noise. It’s the heartbeat of a show that defined an era of "blue-sky" television. Whether you love the "bean pie" line or still think it’s about a beehive, you can’t deny that it’s impossible to skip.