Songs About Money

"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. So are you looking for some songs penned by some of the best musicians ever, which echo your thoughts?

Famous Songs about Money

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, quite simply, '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 what comes to your mind. Undoubtedly, it is 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. 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 in 1976 from the album 'Arrival'. It is a very simple enough song where a girl expresses her desire to marry a very rich man so that she will never have to face financial worries and will get to live the good life for the rest of her life. Now with lyrics like these, you tell me if the songs of ABBA could ever be outdated?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 unfair. The song was composed and released with the 95% supertax in the background which the Beatles had to pay to the government, as decided by the ruling Labor Party at the time. The opening line says 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 the right amount 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..."

Wouldn't you love it if I ended this article with a song which talks about how the singer doesn't care about money and it is not the most important thing in the world? Well, being a Beatles fan and this is the second entry from the Beatles in this article! '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!

I think I've covered all the songs about the emotions that money inspires in my list: greed, opportunity, desire, possessiveness and arrogance. I hope you like it!