Freddie Roach was born in the Bronx borough of New York City on May 11, 1931. His mother was a church organist, and many of his relatives on his maternal side were also musical. Roach grew up in several cities as a child, living with a variety of relatives. At the age of eight, he was living with his aunt in White Plains, New York when he began playing the pipe organ. Over the next few years, he taught himself how to play the organ and piano, eventually studying at the Newark Conservatory for one term. In his late teens, he began playing professionally, joining Grachan Moncur's group the Strollers. At the age of 20, he joined the Marine Corps and stayed for two years, playing in the band. Following his discharge in 1953, Roach returned to jazz, settling in Canada for a short while before returning to the New York area. He soon hit the road, playing piano and organ with Chris Columbus, Cootie Williams and Lou Donaldson.
By the end of the decade, he had decided to concentrate on organ. He settled in Newark, New Jersey, where he regularly played with his own band and as a solo act. He often jammed at the Club 83 with musicians like Kenny Dorham, Cannonball Adderley and Jackie McLean. But the key musical association for Roach was tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec, who asked the organist to join his band. Roach played on the sessions that became Quebec's Blue Note albums Heavy Soul and It Might as Well Be Spring. His playing on the two records impressed Blue Note president Alfred Lion, who offered Roach his own contract in 1962. That year, Roach recorded his debut set Down to Earth, supported by guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Percy France and drummer Clarence Johnston.
Over the next two years, Roach recorded four more albums for Blue Note. In 1963, he made Mo' Greens Please, which also featured Burrell and Johnston, and Good Move, where he was supported by tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, trumpeter Blue Mitchell and guitarist Eddie Wright. The following year, he cut Brown Sugar with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, Wright and Johnston. In October 1964, he recorded his final Blue Note album, All That's Good, a bizarre variation on his signature soul-jazz that boasted a vocal choir. He left the label the following year, reappearing in 1966 on Prestige. His first album for his new label was The Soul Book, a funkier effort than any of his Blue Note recordings. Two albums, Mocha Motion and My People (Soul People), followed in 1967. None of his Prestige records were particularly successful, and he never recorded again. Over the next three decades, Roach emerged as a cult figure of sorts, appealing to soul-jazz fans who became introduced to the genre through acid jazz. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Money
Freddie Roach Lyrics
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But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want, wah
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Well now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Oh I want money
That's what I want
That's what I want, well
Now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, you need money
Now, give me money
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
The lyrics of "Money" by Freddie Roach express the desire for money and how it can solve all problems. The song starts with "The best things in life are free, but you can keep them for the birds and bees." The opening lyrics suggest that while the best things in life might be free, the singer is not interested in them. Instead, they want money, which they believe can get them anything they want. The singer then goes on to say, "You're lovin' gives me a thrill, but you're lovin' don't pay my bills." This implies that love is not enough, and that the singer needs money to survive or live well.
The lyrics of "Money" are a reflection of the materialistic culture present in modern society. The song suggests that money is the ultimate goal and that it is the only thing that can make a person truly happy. The singer believes that with money, they can get anything they want, be it freedom, security, or happiness. However, the lyrics also acknowledge that money is not everything and that there are things that it cannot buy.
Overall, "Money" by Freddie Roach is a song that expresses the desire for money and the belief that it is the key to happiness. The lyrics illustrate the materialistic culture present in modern society, placing greater value on material possessions than anything else.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
While some aspects of life are priceless, they aren't valuable enough to sustain me monetarily.
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Anything intangible and priceless can be left for the birds and wildlife to enjoy.
Now give me money
I require money to meet my needs and wants.
That's what I want
Money is my prime objective and what I strive for.
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Your love interests and excites me.
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
However, your love cannot help me financially.
Money don't get everything it's true
Money cannot puchase everything and that's a fact.
What it don't get, I can't use
I cannot utilize any other valuable but nonmonetary asset to suffice for the non-fulfilled monetary needs.
Well now give me money
I assertively demand for money NOW.
A lot of money
A vast amount of money is required for my needs and wants.
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Once my financial needs are met, I will be free from want and distress.
Oh I want money
My compulsion for money is overpowering and dominating.
Now give me money
Urgently, I request and require for money.
Wow, yeah, you need money
It is a fact that everyone, just like me, needs money.
That's what I want, yeah
Monetary possessions are my most coveted and sought-after prize.
That's what I want
I need and want money to the utmost degree.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, CTM Publishing
Written by: Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind