englishHip-Hop, R&B
ATM Lyrics
by J. Cole
Lyricist: J. Cole
21 views • Published on Sep 27, 2026
ATM Lyrics
Life can bring much pain
There are many ways to deal with this pain
Choose wisely
Will I fall? Will I fly?
Heal my soul
Fulfill my high
Cross my heart (Count, count, count, count it)
And hope to die (Count, count, count, count it)
With my slice (Count, count, count, count it)
Of Devil's pie
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
I know that it's difficult
I'm stackin' this paper, it's sort of habitual
I blow the residual
And fuckin' yo bitch like its part of my ritual
Pardon the visual
But money, it give me a hard-on it's typical
I want it in physical
A million dollars, I count up in intervals
Without it I'm miserable
Don't wanna fall off so I'm all in my bag
Thankin' God like it's biblical
I know it's gon' solve every problem I have
I balled on the principal
Remember the teachers was all on my ass
Now look all of them, pitiful
And all of a sudden I'm so good at math
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Can't take it when you die, but you can't live without it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Can't take it when you die
Uno, dos, tres
Big bills, big bills
I fell in love with big wheels and quick thrills
My niggas runnin' tip drills, can't sit still
Don't give a fuck if it kills, it mix well
I'm only countin'
Big bills, big bills
I fell in love with big wheels and quick thrills
My niggas runnin' tip drills, can't sit still
Don't give a fuck if it kills, it mix well
I'm only countin'...
Uno, dos, tres, quatro
Proceed with caution
I heard if you chase it only results in
A hole in your heart
Fuck it, I take the whole cake and I won't leave a portion
It's only an organ
Thank God mama couldn't afford the abortion
The loneliest orphan
I flip my misfortune and grow me a fortune
My Rollie is scorchin'
Them niggas that hated is slowly endorsin'
Now Cole, he important
My niggas beside me like Tommy and Martin
We ball on your court and
Escape with your bitch like we Tonya Harding
She don't need her garments
She horny from all the money we countin'
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Can't take it when you die, but you can't live without it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
Can't take it when you die
Uno dos
Will I fall? Will I fly?
Heal my soul
Fulfill my high
Cross my heart
And hope to die
With my slice of Devil’s pie
Meaning of ATM
“ATM” by J. Cole is a darkly compelling exploration of the corrosive nature of wealth and the cyclical pain that often accompanies its pursuit. The song’s core revolves around a desperate, almost frantic obsession with money—represented by the repeated “count it up,” echoing the mechanical process of an ATM – fueled by a history of hardship and resentment. Cole lays bare the raw emotions of someone who has experienced systemic failure and now seeks solace in material success, but finds only a temporary and ultimately hollow fix. The lyrics detail a transformation: from being targeted and oppressed (“the teachers was all on my ass”) to wielding power and indulging in hedonistic behaviors – “fuckin’ yo bitch like its part of my ritual”– driven by an almost primal need for validation and control.
The “Devil's pie,” a potent metaphor, suggests that the pursuit of wealth is inherently tainted with corruption and self-destructive tendencies; one can ‘hope to die’ while counting it all up. Cole doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth revealed within this cycle: chasing money often leads to a "hole in your heart," mirroring the initial pain he sought to escape. The frenetic repetition of “uno, dos, tres” and the emphasis on “big wheels and quick thrills” highlights the addictive and unsustainable nature of this pursuit. Ultimately, “ATM” isn't simply about acquiring wealth; it’s a brutally honest reflection on the psychological traps within the American dream and J. Cole’s own struggle to reconcile ambition with genuine fulfillment, leaving the listener pondering whether the relentless counting is truly bringing peace or merely deepening the initial wound.
Tags:
j colepainintrospectionhip hopcount it
Related Lyrics
stay here 4 life lyrics A$AP Rocky
english388 views
si antes te hubiera conocido karol g lyrics
english360 views
So Easy To Fall In Love Olivia Dean lyrics
english313 views
The Cure - Olivia Rodrigo
english304 views
Why You Wanna Fight Bruno Mars lyrics
english296 views
Ordinary Alex Warren lyrics
english291 views
