Money for Nothing

Dire Straits

About Money for Nothing

"Money for Nothing" is a single by British rock band Dire Straits, taken from their 1985 studio album Brothers in Arms. The song's lyrics are written from the point of view of two working-class men watching music videos and commenting on what they see. The song features a guest appearance by Sting singing background vocals, providing both the signature falsetto introduction and backing chorus of "I want my MTV." The groundbreaking video was the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network launched on 1 August 1987. It was Dire Straits' most commercially successful single, peaking at number 1 for three weeks in the United States, number 1 for three weeks on the US Top Rock Tracks chart and number 4 in the band's native UK. "Money for Nothing" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1986 at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards and the video won Video of the Year at the 3rd MTV Video Music Awards. 


Year:
1985
8:25
228 
#1

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Now look at them yo-yo's that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and 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 TV's

See the little faggot with the earring and the make-up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's millionaire

We gotta install microwawve ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these color TV'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 ?
Bangin' on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free

We gotta install ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these color TV's, Lord

Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' get your chicks for free
Money for nothin' get chicks for free

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Dire Straits

Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by former journalist and teacher Mark Knopfler, initially composed of Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). more »

8 fans

Written by: Mark Knopfler, Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Money for Nothing" was released in 1985 as the lead single from Dire Straits' fifth album "Brothers in Arms."
Song Achievement
The song became Dire Straits' most commercially successful single, reaching number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the UK Singles Chart in Britain.
Music Video Notablity
The pivotal music video of "Money for Nothing" was one of the first to be aired on MTV Europe and largely contributed to the success of the song.
Collaboration
The song features background vocals by Sting, the lead vocalist and bassist for The Police. His famous line, "I want my MTV," is sung to the melody of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" by The Police.
Controversial lyrics
Some lyrics of the song have attracted controversy and accusations of homophobia, which led to altered or censored versions of the song being released in some markets.
Song Inspiration
The lyrics of "Money for Nothing" were reportedly inspired by a conversation Dire Straits' lead vocalist Mark Knopfler overheard in an appliance store, where blue-collar workers were commenting on music videos playing on the store's televisions.
Grammy Award
"Money for Nothing" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1986.
Animation in Music Video
The music video for "Money for Nothing" was one of the earliest examples of computationally animated human characters, a technique that later became common in the music and film industries.
Songwriting Credit
Due to Sting's significant input to the song, particularly the "I want my MTV" hook, he was given a songwriting credit, resulting in royalties from the song's earnings.
Lifespan of the song
Despite the controversy surrounding the song's lyrics, "Money for Nothing" has remained popular, being covered by numerous artists and featuring in various television shows and films.

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    Money for Nothing

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1985

    Billboard #1


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