Nov 282008
“Black Friday” has passed in the in the US, marking beginning of the period of the year in which retailers go “into the black,” or profit. In honor of this day, one which has extra weight in the middle of the largest financial crisis since the great depression, we ask a simple question. We’re talking about “The Benjamins,” “Moolah,” “Deniros,” “Loonies,” “Dead Presidents,” “Sawbucks.” Which is the greatest song about money?
Early vote: “Money Don’t Matter,” by Prince.
“Money Changes Everything” – Cyndi Lauper
Definatly not the coolest money track ever written, but I can still hear the chorus in my mind some 24 years after its release.
“Can’t Buy Me Love” continues to be one of my favorite, early, swingin’ Beatles tracks. The sentiment of the lyrics still ring true for me to boot.
“We Need Some Money,” Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers
I’ve always had a soft spot in my head for Jow Walsh’s ‘Life’s Been Good To Me So Far’.
I now realize how much an understatement the line: ‘I live in Hotels – tear out the walls! I have accountants pay for it all.’ actually is – having read Felder’s description of the road case for his chainsaw…
And the other end of the fiduciary spectrum, the Harlan Howard/Johnny Cash/Ray Charles cut ‘I’m Busted’ lets you chuckle at those less fortunate…I think my first comprehension of the concept of irony was in hearing Brother Ray sing ‘…and I was just thinking of callin’ on you’.
The Kinks’ Moneygoround is pretty good, but specific to the music biz. Money Talks from Preservation 2 is cool.
Hate to be the one to mention the elephant in the room, but can there be a better song about money than Money?
It’s called “money”. It’s about “money”. And even includes the percussive sound of “money.”
Bonus points for including a naughty word and introducing a generation to Pink Floyd and hence marijuana and hence a lifetime of music appreciation which has resulted in this blog.
We owe our entire existence to Pink Floyd’s Money.
Barrett Strong’s song covered by the Beatles is a better song called Money in my book.
“Earn Enough for Us”: It’s about the emotional toll of not having much money, and yet it’s one of the optimistic and heart-warming songs Andy Partridge ever wrote.
Also, the production alone on “For the Love of Money” is still mind-blowing to me.
“Dead End Street” is my favorite Kinks song about money.
Also, Randy Newman’s “Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear.”
Fun fact: I have a Recession Mix playlist on iTunes that contains all these songs.
I’m with BigSteve on that one. The Stones covered it, too. I even liked that version by Flying Lizards. It could be one of those rare songs, like Wild Thing, that no one can screw up.
Money don’t get everything it’s true.
What it don’t get, I can’t use.
Now give me money.
That’s what I want.
That’s what I waaaaaaaaaant.
Oh yeah.
That’s what I want.
Most of Never Mind the Bollocks contains AWESOME songs about money, too. But as my post above should explain, I’m with BigSteve. Give me Barrett Strong’s song. That’s what I want.
“You can dream the American Dream
But you sleep with the lights on
And wake up with a scream
You can hope against hope
That nothing will change
Grab a hold of that fistful of rain.”
“Fistful of Rain” by Warren Zevon…ok it’s no Barrett Strong but it’s a good song about money. The idea is that money is like a “fistful of rain” -as soon as it is in your hands it’s gone.
“Earn Enough For Us” and The Fabs version of “Money” are awesome choices. I would add “Love for Tender” (or Clean Money) to the discussion.
Speaking of EC, has anyone seen his guest appearance on the very funny Colbert christmas special?
Jackson Browne, “The Pretender”
First verse:
I’m going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
I’m going to pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I’ll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I’ll get up and do it again
Amen
Say it again
Amen
andyr: I saw EC on The Colbert Xmas Special. He was awesome to wear all of those ridiculous costumes.
I’m still cracking up about Willie Nelson as the 4th Wiseman that brings the baby Jesus a bag of weed. And then takes it back!
There was a point halfway through this post that I was feeling a little queasy with capitalistic gluttony.
Can we do something on altruistic songs next, or philanthropic songs or songs denouncing greed or something?
Got to match the ying with the yang.
“Love on a Farmboy’s Wages” may be my favorite on this subject.
Good point about “Money” being a song no band can screw up. The Jam never covered that one, did they? I bet they could have challenged that theory.
Artslap,
There is nothing that says these songs have to glorify or celebrate money, just be about money.
So dig out yer Billy Bragg records, comrade..(just kidding)
I also kinda think that best “altruistic” song would have its ass kicked by best song about money.
Like it or not money is a rock and roll subject. Rock and roll started to suck about the time people tried to be altruistic about it.
Next someone will want to have “best song about not having sex”
Funny, northvancoveman, I was just thinking or mr bragg…
‘little wing’ by a certain mr j hendrix was the kinda song I was thinking of. ‘take anything you want from me. anything.’
“Money is only good when it’s all been spent”
Make Me Sad by Vic Goddard and the Subway Sect. A song about The Clash and their pursuit of fame that always struck me as a good way to think about dough.
“For The Love of Money” by The O’Jays (the album version at 7:13) is just the most kick-ass money song EVER. Gamble and Huff produced a masterpiece of Philly soul the captures the ominous evil of the almighty dollar. Nothing tops it, nothing.
I’ve think Severin and, earlier, Oats have nailed the best “cold, hard look” at the topic.
The Pink Floyd song makes me sick in the stomach, but I was surprised to learn about a year ago, while watching a VH1 Behind the Music on Dark Side of the Moon, to learn that the song is in 5/4. I’d never considered that.
Jason & The Scorchers – Money Talks ( If Money Talks I wish it’d speak to me, ‘casue I need a little conversation it’s plain to see)
Ac/Dc – Moneytalks is also a fine song
Gimme Some Money – Spinal Tap
Good Pick with Love On A Farmboy’s Wages
I’ll ad Earn Enough For Us (also XTC)
Not in the top list but almost as direct as Strong’s are the Wonder Stuff’s “It’s Yer Money I’m After Baby” and “Give Give Give Me More More More”.
Next someone will want to have “best song about not having sex”
No Sex by Alex Chilton?
sorry!