Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
Who Needs Money?
Elvis Presley Lyrics
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So that old greenback, I won't be missin'
All the greatest things in life are free
Who needs money? Not me
Cash or credit, it doesn't matter
Long as my bank books keep growin' fatter
Easy street is my favorite avenue
Just pity all those millionaires they never can relax
Because they're always worryin' about their income tax
Why waste time on high financin'?
I'd rather spend it on good romancin'
What if my pockets are empty as can be?
Who needs money? not me
Tell me about it
Some folks save it, some folks lend it
But as for me I wanna spend it
Give me some green and my skies will be blue
Who needs money? I do
Stocks and bonds, they only bore me
Interest holds no interest for me
Who wants to sit in the lap of luxury
Who needs money? Not me
When I go to bed at night instead of counting sheep
I start counting dollar bills and then I fall asleep
Making money never thrills me
It's making love that really kills me
What can I lose with my philosophy
Who needs money? Not me
What do you want?
I want a big yacht I can cruise in
The kind that girls just can't refuse in
All it takes is a million or two
Who needs money? I do
Any time some gal starts flirtin'
Now that I'm broke I know for certain
She really digs my personality
Tell me, who needs money? Not me
Poverty's the only thing that money cannot buy
So rich or poor it pays to have M O N E Y
A gal who's tender, that's what I love
It's legal tender, I want a pile of
Just let my liquid assets overflow
You can't take it with you when you go
So, who needs money?
That lovely, lovely money
Who needs money? Not me
Elvis Presley's "Who Needs Money?" is a playful song about the non-significance of money when compared to love and romance. Money can't buy the greatest things in life, and love is of utmost importance. Elvis has a clear understanding of how to spend his said wealth, which makes him happy. He states "When I go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, I start counting dollar bills and then I fall asleep" to emphasize that money is of no importance to him. He also criticizes millionaires, who are constantly worrying about their income tax and spending more time on high financin than on good romancin.
Elvis's definition of wealth in the song is not limited to just cash, but a lavish lifestyle including yachts, cruises, and good romancing. He believes that money can get you anything but not everything. He has realized that money is merely a means of obtaining things, but true happiness comes from love, friendship, and compassion. He is looking for a girl with personality, not for someone to love him for his money.
In conclusion, the song's message is clearly linked to love and relationships, and it proves that money can't buy happiness, especially considering the singer's wealth. The song emphasizes that the things that genuinely matter - love and romance - are free and priceless.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the right track for lots of kissin'
I'm in a good place in my relationship and enjoying lots of romance
So that old greenback, I won't be missin'
I don't need or care about money, as long as I have love
All the greatest things in life are free
The best things in life are not material possessions, but intangible things like love and happiness
Who needs money? Not me
Money is not important or necessary to me
Cash or credit, it doesn't matter
I don't care about how I pay for things
Long as my bank books keep growin' fatter
As long as I have more money, I'm happy
Easy street is my favorite avenue
I love having lots of money and living an easy life
Who needs money? I do
Money is important to me
Just pity all those millionaires they never can relax
Even rich people have their own problems and worries, like taxes
Because they're always worryin' about their income tax
Rich people are often preoccupied with taxes and other financial concerns
Why waste time on high financin'?
I don't see the point in getting caught up in financial jargon and investments
I'd rather spend it on good romancin'
I prefer to spend my time and money on love and relationships
What if my pockets are empty as can be?
Even if I don't have any money, it doesn't matter to me
Who needs money? not me
Money is not important to me
Tell me about it
I want to hear more about this view on money
Some folks save it, some folks lend it
Some people like to save or lend money
But as for me I wanna spend it
But I prefer to spend my money on things I enjoy
Give me some green and my skies will be blue
Money can make me happy
Who needs money? I do
Money is important to me
Stocks and bonds, they only bore me
Investments don't interest me
Interest holds no interest for me
I don't care about financial interest
Who wants to sit in the lap of luxury
I have no interest in living a luxurious lifestyle
Who needs money? Not me
Money is not important to me
When I go to bed at night instead of counting sheep
Instead of trying to sleep, I think about money
I start counting dollar bills and then I fall asleep
I think about counting money until I fall asleep
Making money never thrills me
I'm not excited by the prospect of making more money
It's making love that really kills me
Love is what makes me happy
What can I lose with my philosophy
I don't see anything wrong with my view on money
Who needs money? Not me
Money is not important to me
What do you want?
What is it that you desire?
I want a big yacht I can cruise in
I want to own a luxurious yacht
The kind that girls just can't refuse in
I want a yacht that will impress women
All it takes is a million or two
Buying a yacht requires a lot of money
Who needs money? I do
Money is important to me
Any time some gal starts flirtin'
Whenever a woman shows interest in me
Now that I'm broke I know for certain
Now that I don't have much money
She really digs my personality
She likes me for who I am, not what I have
Tell me, who needs money? Not me
Money is not important to me
Poverty's the only thing that money cannot buy
Money can't guarantee happiness or fulfillment
So rich or poor it pays to have M O N E Y
Money is important, regardless of how much you have
A gal who's tender, that's what I love
I'm attracted to women who are kind and gentle
It's legal tender, I want a pile of
But I also want lots of money
Just let my liquid assets overflow
I want to have lots of cash on hand
You can't take it with you when you go
Money cannot be taken with you when you die
So, who needs money?
Is money really important?
That lovely, lovely money
Money is appealing and desirable
Who needs money? Not me
Money is not important to me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: RANDY STARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Tracy
Love it! Grew up on Elvis movies! Thank you!
Ikrani
Love this movie. Anyone who ever wrote off Elvis's movies as lame or campy has obviously never seen one.
Ikrani
I wonder why they didn't use this jazzy version for the soundtrack.
maggieshome
Elvis films so much fun just what I need this year
Leslie Smith
Elvis will always be the king of rock and roll and none of the stars that came after him come close to being his replacement.
M.J. Vazquez
I actually think this movie was pretty fun
Jes Tube
It was a pretty decent movie
Katharina Dacek
Спасибо за плейлист! Давно искала
Danny Miller
Fantastic opening scene,,,, I love this prototype Corvette,unfortunately it's not read anymore it's grey and it's in a museum
Aurora Marie Almeara
Fuckin smooth