Selling out is easy to do,
It’s not so hard to find a buyer for you.
When money talks, you’re under its spell,
Ah, but what do you have when there’s nothing left to sell?Selling out
(I’d rather call it compromise)
Is easy to do
(Sometimes you have to close your eyes)
It’s not so hard
(Being rich is no disgrace)
To find a buyer for you.
(Put on your shoes and join the race)
When money talks,
(It has a very soothing voice)
You’re under its spell,
(It’s up to you to make the choice)
Ah, but what do you have when there’s nothing left to sell?
(before you know it there’ll be nothing left to sell!)You can’t always break the rules, people who try are fools,
When you get older, maybe then you will see.
I’ve always found ideals, don’t take the place of meals,
That’s how it is and how it will always be!It’s so nice to have integrity, I’ll tell you why,
If you really have integrity, it means your price is very high.
So remember when you start to preach, and moralize,
That we all are in the game and brother its name is compromise!
—Tom Lehrer, “Selling Out”, The Remains of Tom Lehrer