The band is a strong satire of the 70s and 80s heavy metal genre and scene, and their music reflects that, with blaring guitars, high vocals, and ridiculous lyrical themes, all of which take the stereotypes of the genre and exaggerate them to comedic extremes.
The first album of the band was a collection of songs made for the film, many of which were featured in the film itself. Their second album (Break Like The Wind) followed many years later, but was greeted with less enthusiasm, partially because people simply weren't interested in the band beyond their characters in the film, and partially because the heavy metal scene had already been killed by grunge by the time of the album's release. A third album, Back from the Dead, was released in 2009.
All three members of the band have continued to pursue their separate careers in film and television.
The first album (This is Spinal Tap) has a pure black cover, in reference to the movie, in which their latest album is forced to have a pure black cover ("none more black"). However, in the movie, the album is called "Smell the Glove," not "This is Spinal Tap."
Spın̈al Tap are played by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. The three also play a folk group called The Folksmen in the film A Mighty Wind.
Spın̈al Tap have appeared in The Simpsons when Homer takes Bart and Milhouse to one of their gigs.
They recently made a 'comeback' appearance at LiveEarth at Wembley in 2007, and appeared on the Main Stage at Glastonbury 2009.
Gimme Some Money
Spinal Tap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know what I want
You know what I need
Or maybe you don't
Do I have to come right flat out and tell you everything?
Gimme some money, gimme some money
I'm nobody's clown
I'm treating you cool
I'm putting you down
But baby I don't intend to leave empty handed
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Oh yeah! Go Nigel, Go!
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Don't get me wrong (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
Try getting me right (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
Your face is okay
But your purse is too tight (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
I'm looking for pound notes, loose change, bad checks, anything
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
Gimme some money, gimme some money
The lyrics to Spinal Tap's "Gimme Some Money" can be seen as a statement on the pursuit of success in the music industry. The singer is frustrated with those around them who are not offering support or financial backing, despite knowing what the singer needs to succeed. The song is essentially a plea for recognition and financial support from those who have the resources to help the singer achieve success.
The opening lines of the song, "Stop wasting my time / You know what I want / You know what I need / Or maybe you don't" set the tone for a frustration and impatience with those around the singer who are not providing the support or resources necessary. The singer seems to be asserting their own worth and skill, stating "I'm nobody's fool / I'm nobody's clown / I'm treating you cool / I'm putting you down." However, the singer also acknowledges that they need some form of financial assistance in order to achieve success, singing "But baby I don't intend to leave empty handed / Gimme some money, gimme some money."
The chorus of the song repeats this plea for financial support, as the singer demands "Gimme some money, gimme some money." The song ends with a series of repetitions of this same demand, indicating the singer's desperation for financial support.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop wasting my time
I need you to get to the point and tell me what I want to hear
You know what I want
I expect you to understand my needs and give me what I desire
You know what I need
I have certain requirements that you should be aware of and provide for
Or maybe you don't
Perhaps you're not as smart as I thought and need me to spell it out for you
Do I have to come right flat out and tell you everything?
Why can't you read between the lines and give me what I'm asking for without me stating it directly?
Gimme some money, gimme some money
I want you to give me a valuable compensation for my time and effort
I'm nobody's fool
I am not easily deceived by others
I'm nobody's clown
I am not someone who can be made fun of or taken lightly
I'm treating you cool
I am being polite and respectful towards you
I'm putting you down
I am making a low-key negative comment about your behavior or actions
But baby I don't intend to leave empty handed
However, I am not doing this out of kindness, I expect to receive something in return
Oh yeah! Go Nigel, Go!
Expression of energetic support for the band member Nigel during a musical interlude
Don't get me wrong (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
I don't want you to misunderstand me and think that I'm asking for something for nothing
Try getting me right (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
Try to understand my point of view and give me what I'm asking for
Your face is okay
I have no problem with your physical appearance
But your purse is too tight (Gimme some money, gimme some money)
But I have a problem with your reluctance to spend and feeling stingy, and therefore I want you to give me some money
I'm looking for pound notes, loose change, bad checks, anything
I am not too fussy about the type of compensation, and will accept whatever financial reward you are willing to offer
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GUEST, HARRY SHEARER, MICHAEL MC KEAN, ROB REINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eve SL
Deja de perder mi tiempo
Tu sabes lo que quiero
Sabes lo que necesito
O tal vez no
¿Tengo que ir directo y contarles todo?
Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero
No soy tonto de nadie
No soy el payaso de nadie
Te estoy tratando bien
Te estoy menospreciando
Pero cariño, no tengo la intención de irme con las manos vacías
Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero
¡Oh sí! ¡Vamos, Nigel, vamos!
Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero
Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero
No me malinterpretes (Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero)
Intenta hacerlo bien (dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero)
Tu cara esta bien
Pero tu bolso está demasiado apretado (Dame algo de dinero, dame algo de dinero)
TVC 15
You should watch "Documentary Now" :
- Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee - it's the spoof of "History of the Eagles"
- Final Transmission - the spoof of Talking Heads' famous concert film "Stop Making Sense"
- Original Cast Album: Co-Op - parody of the documentary Original Cast Album: Company
Each episode is about 25 min, so if you have a time give it a try :)
Garry Harville
This band influenced my life in a very profound way. I was going to become a musician but became a plumber instead.
Tanya Jackson
Bet your taps go up to eleven!
Alan Horowitz
🤣
Red Lady
I got a job in a shoe shop
Prefer Not to tell
Good choice. Plumbers get a solid 4000€ a month for a 40 hour-a-week job in my country.
Great Guns
@WytZox1 My uncle was a plumber and that was his company's "unofficial" motto.
marrrtin
My problem with Spinal Tap is that their music is far better than it deserves to be. Even with the tongue-in-cheek lyrics
Bob
@Jeremy Shirland Oh, I know, but that was exaggerated, they did takes back then, 2 3 track machines. The funny thing about this one is the whole thing is exaggerated.
Jeremy Shirland
@Bob That’s the funny part. That stuff happened all the time on those early recordings. Lol
Bob
@Jeremy Shirland Most of it is spot on except for a few REALLY bad notes that are way exaggerated, I'm 69 and a bassist and guitarist who started in 1967. Something like that may have been left on the B side of a single but not on the hit side.