About the song
In the realm of rock music, few bands have achieved the enduring legacy and cultural impact of Pink Floyd. Their music, a sonic tapestry of psychedelic experimentation, progressive rock grandeur, and poignant lyricism, has resonated with generations of listeners worldwide. Among their extensive discography, the 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon stands as a towering masterpiece, a concept album that delves into the profound complexities of human existence. One of the album’s most iconic tracks, “Money”, is a scathing indictment of the corrupting influence of wealth and materialism, a song that remains as relevant and thought-provoking today as it was upon its release.
“Money” opens with a cacophony of sounds, a jarring blend of cash registers, ringing coins, and spoken phrases that evoke the relentless pursuit of material gain. This sonic assault sets the stage for the song’s biting lyrics, penned by Pink Floyd’s bassist and vocalist Roger Waters. Waters’s words paint a vivid picture of a society obsessed with money, where individuals are driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth and status. The opening lines, “Money, get away, you get a good job with good pay and you’re okay,” capture the allure of financial success, the belief that money can solve all of life’s problems and bring happiness.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the dark side of materialism, exposing the emptiness and disillusionment that often accompany the pursuit of wealth. “Think I’ll buy me a football team,” Waters sings, highlighting the absurdity of using money to acquire possessions and experiences that ultimately fail to bring true fulfillment. The chorus, “Money, it’s a hit, don’t give me that do goody good bullshit,” is a scathing rejection of the moralistic platitudes often used to justify the accumulation of wealth.
“Money”‘s musical accompaniment perfectly complements the song’s lyrical themes. The driving bassline and rhythmic guitar riffs create a sense of urgency and restlessness, mirroring the relentless pursuit of wealth that characterizes modern society. The saxophone solos, performed by David Gilmour, add a layer of emotional depth and longing, hinting at the underlying emptiness that often lies beneath the surface of material success.
The song’s iconic cash register solo, performed by Alan Parsons, is one of the most recognizable moments in rock music history. The solo’s repetitive, mechanical nature underscores the dehumanizing effects of materialism, reducing individuals to mere cogs in the machine of consumerism. The solo’s abrupt ending, followed by a moment of silence, serves as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of wealth and the ultimate futility of the pursuit of material gain.
“Money” concludes with a reprise of the opening cacophony of sounds, leaving the listener with a sense of unease and lingering questions about the true value of wealth and happiness. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its power to resonate with listeners across generations and cultures, serving as a timeless reminder of the dangers of unchecked materialism and the importance of pursuing a life of meaning and purpose beyond the accumulation of material possessions.
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Lyric
Money, get awayGet a good job with more pay and you’re okayMoney, it’s a gasGrab that cash with both hands and make a stashNew car, caviar, four-star daydreamThink I’ll buy me a football teamMoney, get backI’m alright, Jack, keep your hands off of my stackMoney, it’s a hitDon’t give me that do-goody-good bullshitI’m in the high-fidelity first class traveling setAnd I think I need a Lear jetMoney, it’s a crimeShare it fairly, but don’t take a slice of my pieMoney, so they sayIs the root of all evil todayBut if you ask for a rise it’s no surpriseThat they’re giving none awayAway, away, awayAway, away, awayI was in the rightYes, absolutely in the rightI certainly was in the rightI was definitely in the right, geezer was cruising for a bruisingWhy does anyone do anything?YeahWhy does anyone do anything?I don’t know, I was really drunk at the timeI was just telling him it was in, he couldn’t get into number twoHe was asking why it wasn’t coming up on fader elevenSo after our yelling and screamingI’m telling him why it wasn’t coming on fader eleven