Take The Money And Run - A Pecuniary Playlist

Introduction

I hope this is not too tasteless, given the state of things, but I was just thinking about how money, for many, has become the new God or Devil.

W often hear people say "Money Is The Root Of All Evil" but the full statement is "Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil" although in these statements money and power can be interchanged.

Then I thought how many songs mention money in their titles and thought it would be a good prompt for a playlist. So many money songs are depressing, so I have tried to avoid those as I prefer my posts to be on the positive side.

So we will kick off with the song that I stole part of this title from.

Steve Miller Band - "Take The Monet And Run" from "Fly Like An Eagle"

A hit and run robbery story in under three minutes, featuring two teenage (lovers?) bandits pursued by a detective across America.

This was the first song Miller let a rap group sample since he had previously turned down requests to sample his songs. Run-DMC used it in 2001 with Everlast also on vocals. He agreed only after hearing the song and liking what they did with it.

Run-DMC - "Take The Money And Run" from "Crown Royal"

Their version of the song appeared on their final album "Crown Royal" and it is very good, keeping the feel of the original.

Pink Floyd - "Money" from "Dark Side Of The Moon"

Unusually the time signature is 7/4 and this opened side two of “Dark Side of the Moon”. It was released as a single in the USA.

According to Nick Mason the coin and cash register tape-loop that plays throughout the song in synch with the rhythm was contructed thus:

"Roger (Waters) and I constructed the tape loop for ‘Money’ in our home studios and then took it in to Abbey Road. I had drilled holes in old pennies and then threaded them on to strings; they gave one sound on the loop of seven. Roger had recorded coins swirling around in the mixing bowl Judy used for her pottery, the tearing paper effect was created very simply in front of a microphone and the faithful sound library supplied the cash registers. Each sound was first measured out on the tape with a ruler before being cut to the same length and then carefully spliced together"

Barrett Strong - "Money (That's What I Want) - Motown Single

The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford and became the first hit record for the label.

It has been covered by almost everybody, but two that come immediately to mind are The Beatles and The Flying Lizards.

The Wonder Stuff - "It's Yer Money I'm After Baby" from Eight-Legged Groove Machine

I remember when I first came to Newcastle I heard The Wonder Stuff on the radio and went out the next day and bought their debut album on CD. I have about five of their albums and have seen them many times.

Dr Hook - "Millionaire" from "Bankrupt"

While it doesn't explicitly mention money, this is both fun and uplifting. One of my favourite Dr. Hook tunes that is almost a love song.

Some great lines in it as well to make you smile.

ABBA - "Money, Money, Money" from "Arrival"

One that I'd missed but added following a prompt from Michelle.

Wreckless Eric - "Take The Cash (K.A.S.H.) from "Big Smash"

I'll close it with this one. I love how it dates itself with cheque references and it's preference for real money. I suppose that things have changed all that much. I recently had to wait fourteen days for a refund, although when they want money it has to be immediate.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found at least one song that you liked.