There are songs about life. There are A LOT of songs about love and relationships. If you stop and think about it, there are even songs about money in one form or another. I have yet to hear about a song about saving for retirement (though where you get your music can help you save) or investing in exchange trade funds (ETFs) though. Good luck on trying to make that one top the Billboard charts. You would have to be a musical genius in order to make that one a hit. Can you even imagine singing to a song on the radio about how your stock pays you dividends?
Music is food for the soul. It plays on our emotions. We feel the music. There are certain songs that we can really move to or may accurately describe the way you’re feeling at the moment. What girl hasn’t cried during a song about breakup? Then there’s that popular song that eventually became annoying. You just can’t get the tune out of your head because it’s overplayed on the radio.
And you know ALL the words to it.
Why would songwriters, singers and musicians write about money? Money plays with our emotions as well. So why wouldn’t music about money play with our emotions even more. It’s obvious that money is motivation. It’s the reason why some of us work in boring jobs or jobs we hate. If it’s a job we love, then that’s an added bonus. To artists, money may be the inspiration to write a song. Writing a hit song about money problems may be the next big hit that’ll sell albums. (Do people still even purchase CDs anymore?). The music industry is one of the toughest businesses around, with everyone wanting a piece of the artist’s financial pie — and that doesn’t even take into account the fighting between band mates on how to divide the money that’s left over[1]
Below is a list of songs about money. I’ve added my witty comments to each one in parentheses:
(Yes, I do know most of the words to most of these songs.)
Image via Wikipedia.com
If I had a Million Dollars by The Barenaked Ladies (This was written back when a million dollars was actually a lot of money.)
Bills, Bills, Bills By Destiny’s Child (I love how the guy is the one mooching off the girl, rather than the other way around.)
She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer (Damn right I do and I work hard to save it, so you better treat me right.)
Gold Digger by Kanye West (This is the rebuttal to the Destiny’s Child song. Mooching can go either way.)
Material Girl by Madonna (Yes we are definitely living in a material world, but I am NOT a material girl.)
Money Talks by AC/DC (It definitely does talk so you better listen to what it has to say.)
Money (That’s What I Want) by Barrett Strong (A song that’s honest and to the point. He wants a lot of money. That’s what I want too. Who wouldn’t want a lot of money?)
Mo’Money Mo’Problems by Notorious B.I.G feat. Mase and Puff Daddy (Mo’ Money may cause Mo’ Problems, but it can also cause Mo’ Freedom, Mo’ Independence and Mo’ Money to pay off that Mo’gage.)
What’s your favourite “money song”? Can you think of any to add to the list?
[1] Berman, Steve. Ledgerlink’s Top 15 Songs About Money. 2013
A little old school, but this makes me think of “Another Saturday Night” by Sam Cooke. Not totally about money, but it’s in the chorus, and I used to hear it on an “oldies” station when I was a kid.
It is indeed old school. I had to look it up on You Tube. I’m more familiar with one of his other song: “Twistin’ the Night Away.” I used to listen to a lot of the oldies stations cause of my dad.
I like “she got her own” by Neyo & Jamie Fox and Fabolous. I like ladies who are independent not the gold digger kind.
I think most guys would agree with you on that one. 🙂 I like that song “Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child.
The end of the song YOLO by The Lonely Island has some great money advice. Just ignore the line in the beginning telling you to bury your money in the back yard.
I had to play the video a couple of times to realize that Andy Sandberg was in the video. When they rap, the remind me of Eminem. Lol. But yes, I agree with there being some great money advice in the end. 🙂
What? You’re not a material girl lol.. good for you. You are right there are songs for just about anything and money is no exception.
Haha. I never really was. 😛
LOL, yes, Material Girl was “my song” back in the day. SO glad I’m over that now. 🙂
I loved Madonna’s stuff more in the 80s compared to the music she put out recently. Material Girl is such a catchy song. 🙂
I agree with Laurie!! Material Girl was my song too! Ah..thanks for the light reading and awesome memories about that music video. Haha! I went through a material girl phase and now I’m WELL past that!
Glad you liked it and glad you are well past your material girl phase too. 🙂
I love “Money Talks” and “Mo Money Mo Problems”…awesome songs, love me some Puff Daddy (or whatever his name is these days) Don’t forget “All About the Benjamins” also by Puffy/BIG or 50 cent “I get Money”
Not sure, but I think he’s P.Diddy or maybe he’s using his real name, Sean Coombs? I have no idea. I can’t keep up. Whenever I hear Money Talks on the radio, I sing along to it. Yes, “All About the Benjamins” is a good one, although I’m from Canada, so it would be more like it’s “All About the Lizzies” (Queen Elizabeth is one of the people on one of our bills). Haha.
You know the only thing worse than having a song stuck in your head? Not remembering the words!
I love “If I Had a Million Dollars” by BNL. “But not a real green dress that’s cruel”
Another song for your list is Billionaire by Bruno Mars. Is one of two songs of his I actually like.
Lol. Another line from that song: “I would buy you some art, a Picasso or maybe a Garfunkel.” I guess being a millionaire is not enough for Bruno Mars. It’s funny because that’s actually one of his songs I don’t like.
This might be a popular one but the Billionaire song by Bruno Mars. lol!
It is definitely a popular one. I can’t believe I forgot to put “Royals” by Lorde. That’s my absolute fave money song!
Hey Karen and thanks for a fun post.
Maybe I’m a tad older than y’all, but I can’t believe no one has mentioned the Pink Floyd tune “Money”!!! It’s an anthem!
Peace out! 🙂
Lyle
Funny enough, my common law partner mentioned that song. He knows more of the songs from the 60s and 70s than I do. Glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂