The Power of the Pound: An Exploration of Songs About Money

Throughout history, money has been a significant theme in music. From country to rap, pop to rock, and even folk to EDM, countless artists have weaved tales of wealth, poverty, and the pursuit of financial freedom into their melodies. This article dives into the treasury of lyrical content to uncover the most noteworthy songs about money.

The Beatles – Taxman
The Beatles, the iconic British rock band, made a bold statement with ‘Taxman’. Penned by George Harrison and John Lennon, this track voiced their discontent with the UK’s progressive taxes. Despite their incredible success in the ’60s, they found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy, awakening them to the harsh reality of tax obligations.
“‘Taxman’ was when I first realised that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes; it was and still is typical,” Harrison wrote in his autobiography.

Pink Floyd – Money
‘Money’, a track from Pink Floyd’s critically acclaimed 1973 album ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, brilliantly explores the all-encompassing power of money. Roger Waters, the band’s bassist and co-lead vocalist, once confessed that the song ignited his transformation from a socialist to a capitalist.
“Money interested me enormously,” Waters shared. “I remember thinking, ‘Well, this is it and I have to decide whether I’m really a socialist or not.’ I’m still keen on a general welfare society, but I became a capitalist. You have to accept it. I remember coveting a Bentley like crazy. The only way to get something like that was through rock or the football pools. I very much wanted all that material stuff.”

AC/DC – Moneytalks
Australian hard-rock legends AC/DC demonstrated that money truly does talk in their 1990 single ‘Moneytalks’. The track, featuring Brian Johnson’s commanding vocals over an Angus Young’s signature riff, paints a vivid picture of a world where luxury and success are intertwined.

Pet Shop Boys – Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)
The Pet Shop Boys, in their 1985 single ‘Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)’, portray a man attempting to entice another into a financial scheme. The track, featured in their debut album ‘Please’, was later used in a 2021 Super Bowl ad, earning it a No.1 spot on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.

Cyndi Lauper – Money Changes Everything
Cyndi Lauper, the pop icon of the ’80s, covered ‘Money Changes Everything’ for her smash debut album ‘She’s So Unusual’. Originally recorded by cult new wave band The Brains, Lauper’s version tells a tale of a woman who leaves her partner for a richer man.

Dire Straits – Money for Nothing
‘Money for Nothing’ by British rock band Dire Straits offers a satirical take on the music industry. The song revolves around two men commenting on music videos, with the memorable line “Money for nothing and chicks for free” encapsulating the perceived glamour and ease of the rockstar lifestyle.

Hall and Oates – Rich Girl
The 1977 chart-topper ‘Rich Girl’ by Hall and Oates tells a cautionary tale of an affluent woman who relies on her father’s wealth, failing to form genuine relationships or address her problems. The song’s catchy rhythm and poignant message ensured its place in pop history.

The O’Jays – For the Love of Money
‘For the Love of Money’ by The O’Jays is a funk classic that offers a profound observation on the dangerous allure of money. Released in 1973, the song warns listeners about the lengths people will go to obtain wealth.

Ray Charles – Busted
Ray Charles’ rendition of ‘Busted’, originally written by Harlan Howard in 1962, offers a poignant exploration of poverty. The song tells the story of a farmer struggling to provide for his family, painting a vivid image of financial struggle and desperation.

Patti Smith – Free Money
‘Free Money’ by Patti Smith, a track from her 1975 debut album ‘Horses’, was inspired by her mother’s dreams of winning the lottery. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the allure of wealth and the fantasies it can inspire.

Randy Newman – It’s Money That Matters
‘It’s Money That Matters’ is a track from Randy Newman’s 1988 album ‘Land of Dreams’. The song, featuring Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler on guitar, explores the all-encompassing power of wealth and the lengths people will go to attain it.

ABBA – Money, Money, Money
Swedish pop sensation ABBA’s ‘Money, Money, Money’ from their 1976 album ‘Arrival’, explores the desire for financial stability. The song was later used in the ABBA-inspired film ‘Mamma Mia!’, where Donna, played by Meryl Streep, sings it to express her determination to keep her business afloat.
“Money, Money, Money / Must be funny / In the rich man’s world / Money, Money, Money / Always sunny / In the rich man’s world / Aha-ahaaa / All the things I could do / If I had a little money / It’s a rich man’s world.”

Each of these songs offers a unique perspective on the subject of money, exploring its power, allure, and the impact it can have on our lives. Whether it’s a rock anthem, a pop hit, or a rap track, these songs reflect the universal nature of our complex relationship with money.

From the dreams of the jackpot in Patti Smith’s ‘Free Money’ to the struggles of poverty in Ray Charles’ ‘Busted’, money remains a potent theme in music, transcending genres and generations. As these songs show, money can inspire, empower, corrupt, and even break hearts, reflecting the multifaceted role it plays in our lives.

So next time you’re counting your pennies or celebrating a windfall, why not cue up one of these money songs? After all, as the saying goes, “Money makes the world go round,” and these songs certainly keep the turntables spinning.