Green in all the words, the videos, and the shows. Green in their pockets and green in their songs. They have made it to the top and are literally singing about how great it is to be rich.
“New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I’ll buy me a football team…“
~ Pink Floyd.
Money! A thing most people aspire for. But in these bleak times of economic recession, money has become a need rather than a desire.
Famous Songs
Money ~ Pink Floyd
“Money, get back,
I’m all right Jack,
Keep your hands off my stack…“
If there is any song which has captured this devious little frenemy, it’s this one titled ‘Money’. This song features the album ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, released in 1973. The song begins with the clinking sound of cash registers and prompts you to think of the only thing that comes to your mind: money! The song is one of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits and is etched in music history for its catchy and unusual bass line.
Money for Nothing ~ Dire Straits
“Now look at them yo-yo’s, that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the M.T.V.
That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free“
The song ‘Money for Nothing’ was performed by Dire Straits with Sting on the backing vocals. The song begins with Sting stating that he wants his MTV moment. Dire Straits’ vocalist and guitar player, Mark Knopfler, explains that the song is sung by a hardware department employee and how he feels that the life of a musician on MTV is so awesome (…Money for nothing and chicks for free…) while he has a hard life (…installing microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries…)
Money, Money, Money ~ ABBA
“Money, money, money,
Must be funny,
In the rich man’s world,
Money, money, money,
Always sunny,
In the rich man’s world…”
One of the best things about the Swedish group ABBA is that their songs and lyrics will remain contemporary in every era. Take this song for instance, ‘Money, Money, Money’ was released with the album ‘Arrival’ in 1976. It is a very simple song where a girl expresses her desire to marry a very rich man so that she will never have to face financial problems and will get to live the good life forever. With lyrics like these, how could the songs of ABBA ever be outdated?
Taxman ~ The Beatles
“(if you drive a car) – I’ll tax the street;
(if you try to sit) – I’ll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold) – I’ll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk) – I’ll tax your feet.“
‘Taxman’ was released by The Beatles in the 1966 album ‘Revolver’. It talked about the progressive tax structure in Britain and how The Beatles, especially George Harrison – who wrote this song – disliked it and thought it was unfair. The opening line is it all about the intentions of the government’s taxman: Let me tell you how it will be, there’s one for you nineteen for me…
Money Ain’t a Thang ~ Jermaine Dupri feat. Jay-Z
“In the Ferrari or Jaguar, switchin four lanes,
With the top down screamin out,
Money ain’t a thang,
Bubble hard in the double R flashin the rings,
With the window cracked, holler back,
Money ain’t a thang…“
This is one of the most famous hip hop songs about money. This song was performed by Jermaine Dupri and released in his album ‘Life in 1472’ in 1998. The song features Jay-Z on the vocals as well and talks about the life of someone who’s really rich and to whom money is worthless.
Material Girl ~ Madonna
“They can beg and they can plead,
But they can’t see the light, that’s right,
’cause the boy with the cold hard cash,
Is always mister right, ’cause we are
Living in a material world,
And I am a material girl,
You know that we are living in a material world,
And I am a material girl…“
If only Madonna knew that she’d be called a ‘Material Girl’ for the rest of her life. She’d have probably never recorded it, and the fans would have lost one of the best songs ever made by the Queen of Pop! ‘Material Girl’ is from the album ‘Like a Virgin’, released in 1985. This song talks about the girls who believe that Mr. Right is the one with lots of cash in his pockets.
Can’t Buy Me Love ~ The Beatles
“I don’t care too much for money,
Money can’t buy me love…“
What would this article be if it didn’t end with a song that talks about how the singer doesn’t care about money and doesn’t think it’s the most important thing in the world? ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ was released as a single by the Beatles in 1964. It says that money is all right, but it won’t buy you love. But later Paul McCartney, in an apparently covert reference to prostitution, said that with all the money and fame he had, he could indeed buy love!
