Behind the Music: "White-Collar Crime" Song Lyrics

Attendees at the 32nd Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference enjoyed a unique experience this week: the rugged, bluesy sound of a conference theme song focused on the fraud they fight day in and day out. “White-Collar Crime” was originally written by songwriter and musician Mike Lawrence and performed by the ACFE’s founder and Chairman Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA. In the 1970s, Dr. Wells and Lawrence were in a local Austin band called The Lorenzo Dunford Band. Outside of music, Lawrence was special counsel to the ACFE and served as an advisory member of the Board of Regents, as well as a faculty member.

Lee Roy Parnell, an American country and blues artist, singer and guitarist and a member of the Texas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, produced a version exclusively for the ACFE and played throughout the event. To add to the song that is available for download, we wanted to provide attendees with the lyrics that encapsulate so much of what fraud fighters are up against. Below are the lyrics in written form, and you can also enjoy a designed PDF, and print, post or share them with colleagues and friends!

White-Collar Crime

They say lyin’ to the man is part of the plan
And the only victim is the corporation.
It’s all a big game and I’m not to blame
’Cause in the end I’ll pay it back the same.

It’s clean and it’s smart.
It’s state of the art.
I think I’ll try it one more time.
White-collar crime
White-collar crime

I don’t use a gun ’cause it’s just as much fun.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
When you sign on the line
What’s yours will be mine.
You get the point of white-collar crime.
White-collar crime

It’s clean and it’s smart.
It’s state of the art.
I think I’ll try it one more time.
White-collar crime
White-collar crime

It’s clean and it’s smart.
It’s state of the art.
I think I’ll try it one more time.
White-collar crime
White-collar crime

It’s not really theft
’Cause there’ll be plenty left
For others like me to enjoy.
There’s a lot to be bought;
A lifestyle to be sought
And little chance that we’ll ever get caught.
Yeah, we’ll never get caught.

It’s clean and it’s smart.
It’s state of the art.
I think I’ll try it one more time.
White-collar crime