Rundgren is well known among his fans as being an electronic music revolutionary. His skilled production techniques, matched by his belief that he has ability to play just about any instrument at a mastery level, has allowed him to release some of the most honest and personal music of his time. Many of his solo albums, including Something/Anything?]' were made completely by himself. That is, he played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, did all of the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
Website: http://www.tr-i.com/
Core discography:
With Nazz:
1968 - Nazz
1969 - Nazz Nazz
1970 - Nazz III
Solo:
1970 - Runt
1971 - Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren
1972 - Something/Anything?
1973 - A Wizard, a True Star
1974 - Todd
1975 - Initiation
1976 - Faithful
1978 - Hermit of Mink Hollow
1978 - Back to the Bars (live)
1981 - Healing
1983 - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
1985 - A Cappella
1989 - Nearly Human
1991 - 2nd Wind
1993 - No World Order
1995 - The Individualist
1997 - With a Twist
1998 - Up Against It
2000 - One Long Year
2003 - Can't Stop Running (live box set)
2004 - Liars
2008 - Arena
2011 - Todd Rundgren's Johnson
2011 - (re)Production
2013 - State
2015 - Global
2015 - Runddans (collaboration with Emil Nikolaisen and Hans-Peter Lindstrøm)
2017 - White Knight
With Utopia:
1974 - Todd Rundgren's Utopia
1975 - Another Live
1976 (released 2001) - Disco Jets
1977 - Ra
1977 - Oops! Wrong Planet
1980 - Adventures in Utopia
1980 - Deface the Music
1982 - Swing to the Right
1982 - Utopia
1984 - Oblivion
1985 - P.O.V.
2003 - Last of the New Wave Riders (live box set)
Overture
Todd Rundgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Todd Rundgren's "Overture: My Roots" is an ode to materialism and the power of money. The lyrics indicate that the best things in life may be free, but they are worthless unless one has money to back them up. The song seems to be influenced by the greed and materialism of the 1960s and 70s, a time when a new generation was striving for wealth and luxury. In this song, Rundgren highlights some of the ways in which money is important for a person's survival in a capitalist society.
The first verse speaks to the idea that while love and other intangible things may bring happiness, they don't pay the bills. The singer declares that he wants money, expressing a desire that is both practical and aspirational. The second verse highlights the limitations of money, acknowledging that there are some things that it cannot buy, but the singer still wants money regardless. The repetitive nature of the lyrics emphasizes the obsession with wealth and materialism. In the end, the chorus repeats, with the singer demanding that he wants a lot of money to be free.
Overall, "Overture: My Roots" by Todd Rundgren serves as a commentary on the materialistic nature of modern society, where money is often the only means of gaining power and influence.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
Although the best things in life are free, they are not always easy to obtain.
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
The joy of free things, like birds chirping and bees buzzing, can be appreciated by nature but not necessarily by humans.
Now give me money
The singer is now shifting to emphasize the importance of money.
That's what I want
The artist wants money above all other things.
That's what I want, yeah
The artist is emphasizing their desire for money.
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
The singer is acknowledging the pleasure that love brings them.
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
The singer is acknowledging that love does not put food on the table.
Money don't get everything it's true
Money cannot buy all things.
What it don't get, I can't use
Anything that money cannot buy is of no use to the artist.
Now give me money
The artist is still emphasizing the importance of money.
That's what I want
The singer's priority remains the acquisition of money.
That's what I want, wah
The artist is repeating their desire for money.
Well now give me money
The singer is becoming more insistent on receiving money.
A lot of money
The singer doesn't just want a little bit of money, they want a lot.
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
The singer associates having a lot of money with their own sense of personal freedom.
Oh I want money
The artist is reinforcing their desire for money.
That's what I want
The artist is again emphasizing that money is what they want.
That's what I want, well
The singer is being more assertive and determined in wanting money.
Now give me money
The singer is still insistent on receiving money.
A lot of money
The artist reiterates that they want a significant amount of money.
Wow, yeah, you need money
The artist is suggesting that everyone needs money.
Now, give me money
The artist is once again stating their request for money.
That's what I want, yeah
The singer is expressing their desire for money one more time.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr., BERRY JR GORDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind