Background:
Dire Straits was a band that was started by two brothers in London. They drew from the sounds of jazz, folk, and blues. They drew most of their sound from beat music with the words and emotions of Rock n' Roll. They won countless awards including Grammies, MTV Music Video Awards, and Brit Awards. This band was very popular in the 80's and early '90s.
In 1985 they released a song titled Money For Nothing. The lyrics were controversial at the time of the song release.
What do the lyrics say?
It was written from the perspective of a working class man, who is watching music videos and is commenting on what he sees. He is saying that the artist in the music video is not working, and he gets paid to do nothing. He also says that the artist does not have to work for anything, everything is just handed to him.
Questions:
-When you first heard the song did you initially get this message from it?
- Why do you think this was such a controversial song for the time period? Would it be considered controversial today?
Dire Straits was a band that was started by two brothers in London. They drew from the sounds of jazz, folk, and blues. They drew most of their sound from beat music with the words and emotions of Rock n' Roll. They won countless awards including Grammies, MTV Music Video Awards, and Brit Awards. This band was very popular in the 80's and early '90s.
In 1985 they released a song titled Money For Nothing. The lyrics were controversial at the time of the song release.
What do the lyrics say?
It was written from the perspective of a working class man, who is watching music videos and is commenting on what he sees. He is saying that the artist in the music video is not working, and he gets paid to do nothing. He also says that the artist does not have to work for anything, everything is just handed to him.
Dire Straits – Money For Nothing Lyrics
(I want my MTV)
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 workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free.
Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb.
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
The little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot, he's a millionaire
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some fun
And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises?
You bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee
Oh that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free.
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
Listen here
Now that ain't workin' that's the way to do it
You play the guitar on the M.T.V.
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free
(Get your) Money for nothin' and chicks for free
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free (I want my, I want my MTV)
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free
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 workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free.
Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb.
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
The little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot, he's a millionaire
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some fun
And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises?
You bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee
Oh that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free.
We gotta install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators we gotta move these color T.V.'s.
Listen here
Now that ain't workin' that's the way to do it
You play the guitar on the M.T.V.
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free
(Get your) Money for nothin' and chicks for free
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free (I want my, I want my MTV)
Money for nothin' and the chicks for free
Questions:
-When you first heard the song did you initially get this message from it?
- Why do you think this was such a controversial song for the time period? Would it be considered controversial today?
When I first hearing the song I did not get the message that they are saying that they didn't have to work for anything. Normally when I listen to music I listen for the beat rather than the words.
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