Money Honey
Ry Cooder Lyrics
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(E) I let it rang for a long, long spell
(D) Went to the window, peeped through the blind
(E) Asked him to tell me what was on his mind
He said, (A)
"Well, your rent is gonna cost you more
(E) 'cos you had a party on the second floor
(D) I don't care about parties, don't care about spliffs
(E) But you're gonna have to pay me for your nasty tricks"
Ry Cooder's "Money Honey" tells the story of a tenant who receives a visit from their landlord, who informs them that their rent will increase due to throwing a party on the second floor. The song criticizes the notion that money is the only thing that matters and that everything has a price, including one's privacy and freedom. The landlord is portrayed as a greedy and unsympathetic figure who only cares about getting more money from his tenants.
The lyrics suggest a larger social commentary on the materialism and commodification of everything, including basic human needs like shelter. The landlord's intrusion into the tenant's private space not only disrupts their daily life but also forces them to pay a higher price for enjoying their own home. The song highlights the power dynamics between landlords and tenants and how money drives these relationships, with the tenant having little agency in the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the landlord rang my frontdoor bell
My landlord came to my home and rang the doorbell.
I let it rang for a long, long spell
I waited for a long time before answering the door.
Went to the window, peeped through the blind
I went to the window and looked through the blinds.
Asked him to tell me what was on his mind
I asked him to tell me the reason for his visit.
He said,
The landlord responded,
'Money Honey'
he demanded that I pay my rent.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jesse Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind