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Money, that’s what I want

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org

In my recent review of the Brains, I wrote that the Atlanta band’s hit song, ‘Money Changes Everything,’ is one of my Top 10 or Top 15 rock songs of all time.

Well that might have been a little hyperbolic.

It made me think of all the songs about money. Money alone. I think my ‘money’ song will be strong up against other money songs but when you talk all-time I realized how big a universe that is.  There are tons of money songs alone and some very good ones. Here are just a few:

  • Money for Nothing by Dire Straits.
  • Money by the Flying Lizards (and others, including Beatles.)
  • For the Love of Money by the O’Jays.
  • Money by Pink Floyd.
  • Take the Money and Run by the Steve Miller Band.
  • She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer.

I think my favorite song about money  will remain the Brains (and/or) Cyndi Lauper’s version of Money Changes Everything. But not sure the song ranks in the Top 10 or 15 all time list.  As for the money list  I admire  the Dire Straits tongue in cheek piece. Pink Floyd’s is a classic, and I really like the O’Jays tune.

But sticking with my Brains here.

If you have other suggestions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments

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The Brains — 626, 625

ALBUMS: The Brains (1980), Electronic Eden (1981)

MVC Rating: 4.0/$$$;  EE: 3.5/$$$

Sometimes there’s a musical memory that is stronger than other memories. It starts in your mind but begins infusing the limbic system. It’s a mind out of body memory.

It was a night in Atlanta about 1980, could have been  ’81. I was with my later to be wife Catherine, my brother and his friends. We were walking up to the party central area at that time, Little Five Points. I first heard the synthesizer. As we got closer it got louder.

There was the chorus: Money Changes Everything …

Then whirling looping synthesizer sounds from the leader of the band, Tom Gray. The song is one that could easily end up on my Top 10, maybe Top 15  rock songs of  all time. Later Cyndi Lauper would make it a worldwide hit. But I still like this original.

I’ve got two cut-outs records of the Brains first two albums. They never made it really. In that regard they remind me of the Swimming Pool Q’s.  Great bands, great songs. Both from Atlanta. Both had strong guitar playing and didn’t for the most part let New Wave affectations ruin the effect, or the music. Great bands that deserved wider appreciation.

Back to Little Five Points,  I yelled to Cat. IT’S THE BRAINS.  (For free I might add, playing outdoors.)

And just walking up live at the time they were playing a truly transcendent song, well there is a memory. I still feel it.

Other good songs off of Electronic Eden, ‘One in a  Million’ and “Hypnotized.’ Off  of their self-titled debut, the punkish ‘In the Night’’ and ‘Gold Dust Kids’ and rocking ‘Raeline.’

But I challenge you to listen to ‘Money Changes Everything’ three times. You’ll then know what I mean when I say, ‘Gray matters.’

Here’s video  of Brains leader Tom Gray backed by Q’s singing ‘Money Changes Everything’ Live, followed by video of Cyndi Lauper smash hit cover:

Counting down my 678 vinyl records before I die of brain disease.