Dire Straits – Money for Nothing Lyrics
I want my, I want my MTV
I want my, I want my MTV
I want my, I want my MTV
I want my, I want my MTV[Drum Solo][Verse 1: Mark Knopfler, Mark Knopfler & Sting]
Hah, now look at them yo-yos, 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 nothing 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
[Chorus: Mark Knopfler & Sting]
We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs
[Verse 2: Mark Knopfler]
See 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 got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs[Interlude: Mark Knopfler]
Hoover, move-ah, huh[Chorus: Sting, Mark Knopfler & Sting]
Got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
He’s gotta move these refrigerators
Got to move these colour TVs
Look-ee here, look at it
[Verse 3: Mark Knopfler, Mark Knopfler & Sting]
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it sticking in the camera, man
Man, we could have some
And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?
He’s banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee
Oh, that ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free
We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs[Interlude]
*dog howling*[Verse 4: Mark Knopfler, Mark Knopfler & Sting]
Listen here, 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 nothing, and your chicks for free
[Refrain: Mark Knopfler & Sting, Sting, Mark Knopfler]
Money for nothing
Chicks for free
Get your money for nothing
And your chicks for free
Oh, heh, money for nothing
Ch-ch, and your chicks for free
Get your money for nothing
And the chicks for free
(Money for nothing) Ooh, money, money for nothing
And the chicks for free
Get your money for nothing
Get your chicks for free
Ow, get your money for nothing (Yeah)
And the chicks for free
Get your money for nothing (What’s that?)
And the chicks for free (Look at that, look at that)
Get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
(Bozos) And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Ah, get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Easy, easy, get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
Easy, easy, and the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Easy, easy, get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
That ain’t working
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro: Sting]
Money for nothing, chicks for free
Money for nothing, chicks for free
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
“Money for Nothing” is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, featured on their album “The Studio Albums 1978 – 1991” and released in 1985. The track is notable for its catchy guitar riff and the collaboration with Sting, who provides the iconic line “I want my MTV.”
Quick summary
The song critiques the music industry and the perception of rock stars, expressing envy and disdain from a working-class perspective towards musicians who seem to earn money effortlessly while enjoying a glamorous lifestyle.
In-depth lyrics analysis
The lyrics of “Money for Nothing” present a vivid narrative from the perspective of working-class men who are watching music videos on MTV. The opening lines introduce the listener to a conversation between these men, who express their frustrations and envy towards rock stars. The phrase “money for nothin’ and chicks for free” encapsulates their belief that musicians lead an easy life, earning money without the hard work that they, as laborers, endure. This sentiment is steeped in irony, as the song critiques the superficiality of fame and the changing landscape of the music industry in the 1980s.
As the song progresses, the narrator’s tone oscillates between sarcasm and genuine frustration. The repeated refrain of “I want my MTV” serves as a cultural touchstone, highlighting the growing influence of music television on popular culture and the way it shapes perceptions of success. The use of Sting’s voice not only adds a layer of collaboration but also emphasizes the song’s commentary on the commercialization of music.
The lyrics further delve into the disconnect between the working-class experience and the glamorous lifestyle of rock stars. Lines that suggest the ease of success in the music world starkly contrast with the hard labor of everyday life. This juxtaposition creates a powerful critique of the music industry, suggesting that the rewards of fame are not reflective of the effort put in.
Moreover, the song’s catchy chorus and distinctive guitar riff contribute to its memorable quality, making the serious undertones of the lyrics all the more impactful. The overall atmosphere of the song is a blend of irony and critique, capturing the frustrations of those who feel overlooked in favor of entertainers who seem to have it all without the same level of struggle. In essence, “Money for Nothing” serves as a social commentary on class disparity, the superficiality of fame, and the evolving nature of music consumption in the 1980s.
