According to the Money For Nothing Songfacts, this song is about rock star excess and the easy life it brings compared with real work. Mark Knopfler wrote it after overhearing delivery men in a New York department store complain about their jobs while watching MTV. He wrote the song in the store sitting at a kitchen display they had set up. Many of the lyrics were things they actually said.
The song was notable for its controversial lyrics, groundbreaking music video and a cameo appearance by Sting singing the song's iconic falsetto introduction and backing chorus, a borrowing of the cable network's slogan "I want my MTV".This chorus mirrors The Police intro to "don't stand so close to me". The video was also the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network started on August 1, 1987.
Money for Nothing
Dire Straits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I want my, I want my MTV)
(I want my, I want my MTV)
(I want my, I want my MTV)
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
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 got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators, we got to move these color TVs
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 a millionaire
We got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators, we gotta move these color TVs
We got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators, we got to move these color TVs
Looky here, look out
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
And he's up there, what's that?
Hawaiian noises?
Bangin' on the bongos 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 got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators, we gotta move these color TVs
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 nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin', chicks for free
Get your money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Ooh, money for nothin', chicks for free
Money for nothin', chicks for free (money, money, money)
Money for nothin', chicks for free
Get your money for nothin', get your chicks for free
Get your money for nothin' and the chicks for free
Get your money for nothin' and the chicks for free
Look at that, look at that
Get your money for nothin' (I want my, I want my)
Chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Money for nothin', chicks for free (I want my, I want my, I want my MTV)
Get your money for nothin' (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Get your money for nothin' (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Easy, easy money for nothin' (I want my, I want my)
Easy, easy chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Easy, easy money for nothin' (I want my, I want my)
Chicks for free (I want my MTV)
That ain't workin'
Money for nothing, chicks for free
Money for nothing, chicks for free
The song "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits is a critique of the music industry and its commodification of art, as well as a commentary on the rise of MTV and the perceived simplicity of rock stardom.
The lyrics begin by referencing the desire for fame and fortune through association with MTV, a channel that was rapidly gaining popularity in the 1980s. The phrase "money for nothing and your chicks for free" suggests that being a rock star on MTV was perceived as an easy way to make a lot of money and attract women with little effort.
The next verse highlights the perceived lack of skill required to be a successful rock star on MTV, as the lyrics mention playing the guitar and potentially getting blisters on one's fingers. This sets up the following lines, which critique the materialism of the music industry and the need for artists to constantly produce and sell new records and products, as well as the glamorization of wealth and excess.
The song also includes controversial language and slurs, including the use of the word "faggot" to refer to a flamboyant artist who is portrayed as being undeserving of success. While some argue that the language is meant to critique homophobia and prejudice within the music industry, others have criticized the use of these slurs and stereotypes.
Overall, "Money for Nothing" is a commentary on the complexities of the music industry and the perception of rock stardom as an easy path to wealth and fame, as well as a commentary on the role of MTV in shaping popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I want my, I want my MTV
The singer wants to have access to MTV.
Now look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it
The singer is observing the people on TV who are successful because of their looks or talent.
You play the guitar on the MTV
Being a guitarist on MTV is a way to earn money without having to work hard.
That ain't workin', that's the way you do it
The artist believes that playing guitar on MTV is not real work.
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
People who play guitar on TV get paid a lot and receive attention from women without having to work hard.
Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb
The singer thinks that the people who play guitar on TV are not stupid and have found a way to become rich easily.
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Playing guitar on TV may cause a small injury.
Maybe get a blister on your thumb
Playing guitar on TV may cause a small injury.
We got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries
The artist is describing another job that requires hard work.
We got to move these refrigerators, we got to move these color TVs
The artist is describing another job that requires hard work.
See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
The singer is using a derogatory term to refer to a man with makeup and an earring.
Yeah, buddy, that's his own hair
The man with the makeup and earring has real hair, not a wig.
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
The man with the makeup and earring is rich and successful.
That little faggot, he's a millionaire
The man with the makeup and earring is very rich.
Looky here, look out
The singer is amazed by the success of the man he just described.
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
The artist regrets not learning how to play the guitar so he could also be rich and famous.
I shoulda learned to play them drums
The artist regrets not learning how to play the drums so he could also be rich and famous.
Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera man
The singer is admiring a woman on TV who is flirting with the cameraman.
We could have some
The singer wishes he could also have a woman like the one on TV.
And he's up there, what's that?
The artist is observing a musician on TV and doesn't understand what he is doing.
Hawaiian noises?
The artist thinks the musician is playing an instrument that sounds like it's from Hawaii.
Bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee
The artist thinks the musician is playing the bongos like a monkey.
Get your money for nothin', get your chicks for free
Playing music on TV is an easy way to get rich and attract women.
Listen here
The artist is trying to get the listener's attention.
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Playing music on TV is an easy way to get rich and attract women.
Easy, easy money for nothin'
Playing music on TV is an easy way to get rich.
Easy, easy chicks for free
Playing music on TV is an easy way to attract women.
That ain't workin'
The artist believes that working hard is not a good way to earn money.
Money for nothing, chicks for free
Playing music on TV is an easy way to get rich and attract women.
Money for nothin', chicks for free
Playing music on TV is an easy way to get rich and attract women.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark Knopfler, Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CollinAbroadcast
How do you turn it up louder
@Puxi
"Look at that little .... " Me favorite lyrix. :D
@flamethrower82
buy a 2000 watt speaker and blast it.
@D.Dragoon
"This volume goes up to 11...." or something like that?
@Yoloslides
Yes
@coolian69
Press the upper volume button
@MarkArandjus
Fun fact: this music video was mentioned in a textbook when I was studying graphic engineering at college, because it's an early use of 3D graphics, especially for characters.
@AccAkut1987
I imagine that perspective shift effect on the TV screens in the video, the live action footage, was just as new?
@paolothorpe1461
@@AccAkut1987whats the perspective shift effect?
@lewis7515
@@AccAkut1987 Squeezing the video footage to make it fill the animated TV's in a similar perspective? No, that part would have been easy.