Lester Atlas, a crude, very rich corporate raider, traps Norman in the Caribbean dream by offering to buy the hotel for him, and then welshing on the deal when Norman can no long back out. He is a despicable but somehow lovable rogue, who in his own mind is a magnanimous, misunderstood benefactor of humanity. What other people call corporate raiding, he explains, telling the truth in business matters. Why Jimmy decided to give him a song with a tango rhythm and a klezmer trill I don't know, but it works. 



I'm just an old truth teller 

I'm your candid friend 

I'm not some daydream seller 

I do not pretend 

I've a sense of survival 

And screwing my rivals 

That's labeled me crossed and uncouth 

But I can't help it I just tell the truth 

He can't help it, he just tells the truth 



I'm just an old truth teller 

Brutally direct 

I see it eye for eye 

I'm rarely incorrect 

Why call me a sharp trader 

A corporate raider 

I'm a role model for today's youth 

It's so simple, I just tell the truth 

He can't help it, he just tells the truth 



Bridge: 



Why was I born to be right all the time 

In deal after deal after deal 

Foiling those sharks that are circling my penthouse 

Hoping to make a meal 



No good deed goes unpunished 

Nothing goes as planed 

My ingrate family left me 

I don't understand 



Where's your wife? 

In Alaska 

Any sons? 

In Nebraska 

And my daughter milks cows in Duluth 

I can't help it, I just tell the truth 

Ohh he can't help it, he just sells it 

he can't help, he just tells it 

I can't help, I just tell the truth