Money (That's What I Want)

Today's song is "Money (That's What I Want)". I'm pretty sure we've all heard one version of this song or another, since it's been covered by a huge list of artists. (I'm most familiar with the version by The Flying Lizards because that's the one from The Wedding Singer.) The original song (written by Barry Gordy and Janie Bradford and sung by Barrett Strong) was listed as #288 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

According to the song's page on BeatlesEBooks.com, "Money" was the perfect song for The Beatles to sing, because John wanted money. Like, really wanted money. I mean, who doesn't? But... really. Below is a quote from Dave Rybaczewski, explaining John's avarice:

John Lennon always had a passion for money.  This fact was no secret.  There are many quotes he had made saying that money was a big reason he got into the music business.  When the Beatles first arrived in America on February 7th, 1964, and they were asked at the press conference if they could sing something, Lennon quipped, “No, we need money first.”  Even in his final years, John heard that Paul had built up a 25 million dollar fortune and, being the competitor that he was, set off to do the same with the help of Yoko’s business acumen.

The song in question may not have been written by Lennon, but no other song could have been more suitable for the Beatles to include in their catalog, especially recognizing the fact the Lennon himself sang it.  Unmistakably, John’s love for music truly was the biggest force that ignited within him the desire for a career in music, but, as he stated to New Musical Express in 1963, his “professional ambition” was to “be rich and famous.”  Money really was what he wanted. 

He certainly achieved his goal. :P That's not to say he didn't have other goals--world peace was one of them--but making money was probably his easiest achievement. I like this song, but I think I enjoy other versions a bit more. It almost sounds less polished than other tunes they have to offer. The 2009 remastered version actually sounds a lot better than the original.

Well, that's it for With The Beatles... Stand by for an album summary. :)

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Heard It Tally: 1

Songs Completed: 28