In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Money Honey
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let it ring for a long, long spell
I went through the window and peeked through the blind,
And asked him to tell me what was on his mind
He said, "Money, honey!
Yes, money, honey!
Mhm, money, honey,
I was cleaned and skinned and so hard-pressed
I called the woman that I love the best
I finally reached my baby 'bout a half past three
She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me"
I said, "Money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me"
She screamed and said, "What's wrong with you?
From this day on, our romance is through"
I said, "Tell me, baby, face to face
A-how could another man take my place?"
She said, "Money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me"
Now, I learned my lesson and now I know
The sun may shine and the wind may blow
Women may come, and the women may go,
But before I say I love 'em so,
I want, money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me
(If you want to get along) Well, make some money
(If you want to get along) Well, I ain't jivin' you, honey
(If you want to get along) You better give up some money
If you want to get along with me
In "Money Honey," Clyde McPhatter tells the story of a man who realizes that having money is the key to a happy relationship, and that love alone is not enough. The song opens with the singer receiving a visit from his landlord, who demands rent money. The man is broke and asks his lover for help, only to be met with resistance. The woman complains about the man's constant financial troubles and decides to break up with him. In the end, the man learns his lesson and decides that money is a necessary component of any successful relationship.
McPhatter's lyrics speak to the way that money can impact romantic relationships, particularly in a capitalist society where financial security is often necessary for stability. The song's upbeat melody and playful lyrics underscore the idea that money and love are deeply intertwined, and that it's impossible to separate one from the other. Through the singer's struggles, McPhatter shows that love alone is not enough to sustain a relationship; financial stability is also needed.
Overall, "Money Honey" is a reflection on the importance of money in romantic relationships. McPhatter's clever and entertaining lyrics remind us that love isn't always enough, and that having a healthy bank balance can make all the difference.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, the landlord rang my front door bell
The landlord knocked on my door to remind me to pay rent.
I let it ring for a long, long spell
I ignored the landlord's knock for a while.
I went through the window and peeked through the blind,
I looked through the window instead of answering the door.
And asked him to tell me what was on his mind
I inquired about what the landlord wanted to say.
He said, "Money, honey! Yes, money, honey! Mhm, money, honey, If you want to stay with me
The landlord demanded me to pay him some money to stay in his house.
I was cleaned and skinned and so hard-pressed
I was broke and had no money left.
I called the woman that I love the best
I contacted the woman I loved the most.
I finally reached my baby 'bout a half past three
I eventually got in touch with her at 3:30 in the morning.
She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me"
She asked me about the reason for my call.
I said, "Money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me"
I asked her for money if she wanted to continue our relationship.
She screamed and said, "What's wrong with you? From this day on, our romance is through"
She got angry and decided to break up with me.
I said, "Tell me, baby, face to face A-how could another man take my place?"
I argued that no other man could replace me in her life.
She said, "Money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me"
She reiterated that I needed to give her money if I wanted our relationship to continue.
Now, I learned my lesson and now I know The sun may shine and the wind may blow Women may come, and the women may go, But before I say I love 'em so,
I learned a lesson that money is important in a relationship and that, before professing my love to anyone, I need to make sure I have enough money.
I want, money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me
I want money if anyone wants to stay with me.
(If you want to get along) Well, make some money (If you want to get along) Well, I ain't jivin' you, honey (If you want to get along) You better give up some money If you want to get along with me
The last lines of the song are a repetition of the same message: that people need to have money to stay with me, and that they should try to make some money if they want to continue the relationship.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jesse Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alkholos
When talking about the late, great Clyde McPhatter always use the term "great." He's forgotten now but his voice was so smooth and versatile. McPhatter was a giant, and deserved a better fate than what he suffered.
@miltonlevant2290
With you tube he has revive to every body
@wellsy1954
Possibly the best voice ever.
@alkholos
@Steven Wells So many great black singers are gone now: Brook Benton, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gay, etc.
@wellsy1954
@Al Kholos It's unbelievable that Clyde could spend 2 yrs in England and no one could make a great record with him. Such a waste of time and talent.
@wellsy1954
@Al Kholos I agree. Some great white ones as well - some are still with us. I'm guessing you are in the U.S.A. I live in Tasmania. I have a blog which may interest you-"From The Archives" found at originalclassicrock.com
@gingerwilliams2125
Young'uns... take notes!!! This is a lesson from a master!!! Don't get much better than this! Ginger Williams, class of June '58... Douglass High School, Baltimore MD
@coffeeicecream1
This song will always be in. "Money Honey". Let's face it, that is most important to 90% of us. Just the way Clyde sang it, is so truthful now in '2014 and way back in "1953". In fact, I change my mind regarding the percentage, it's got to be 95%. Thanks so much.
@connorduke4619
No it's not that depends on soul age. Infant soul = survival, Baby soul = religion, Young soul = money, Mature soul = romance, Old soul = philosophy.
@edgraf9720
When I got home from BBall practice in Pittsburgh our only R &B station with Porky Chedrick was almost signing off (daylight only) but I first heard this and was hooked!!!