‘Money’ and materialism: How Pink Floyd turned greed into a classic

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As someone who has grown up with Pink Floyd’s music echoing through my formative years, I can confidently say that “Money” is more than just a song – it’s an experience. The way Roger Waters masterfully weaves the themes of wealth, greed, and consumerism into the fabric of the track is nothing short of genius. It’s like he took all my adolescent angst about the rat race and turned it into this monumental piece of art.

One of Pink Floyd’s most renowned tracks, titled “Money,” is embedded in their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Oh, what a remarkable piece it is! Composed by bassist Roger Waters, this song is notable for its distinctive 7/4 rhythm and iconic opening soundscapes. These include cash register noises, clinking coins, and ripping paper, which form a recurring auditory theme that embodies the song’s critique of materialism and wealth.

The song “Money” expresses disapproval towards excessive desire for wealth, material possessions, and the corrupting power they can have on people. In stark contrast to the character Gordon Gekko from the movie Wall Street, who asserted that greed is beneficial, appropriate, and functional, this song instead portrays greed as detrimental and contrary to human progress.

In a witty and insightful manner, Waters crafted this song, exposing the paradoxical nature of riches: the temptation it offers versus the isolation it might bring about. Throughout his career, Waters delved into such themes, as evident in his 1992 album titled “Amused to Death“. The lyrics “Money, it’s a gas” portray wealth’s allure, while later sections reveal a more discerning and critical standpoint.

The musical structure is another interesting matter. The song is unique for its 7/4 time signature during the verses, which gives it a slightly off-kilter feel. However, because the band plays tightly and with conviction, the rhythm feels like it has a natural swagger rather than being too perplexing to the listener. So it’s still a danceable song despite not consistently having a “four on the floor beat.” This feel changes to a more traditional 4/4 signature during David Gilmour’s guitar solo, apparently to make it easier to solo over the vamp (the musical term, not a slang term for vampires).

By the way, Roger Waters’ bassline is truly timeless. If you aren’t a fan of that bassline, then I’d say your appreciation for bass might be questionable.

What makes “Money” by Pink Floyd so diverse

The fusion of progressive rock tones, bluesy guitar riffs, and saxophone (performed by session artist Dick Parry) gives “Money” its unique character, which is why listeners often perceive “The Dark Side of the Moon” as an emotional journey. Indeed, this song has left a significant cultural imprint. Notably, “Money” climbed to the 13th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., making it one of only a few Pink Floyd tracks to receive widespread radio play.

Although this song is often considered an anthem against capitalism, ironically, its popularity underscores the marketability of critiques about wealth. Yet, it continues to be a cornerstone in classic rock and commonly referenced in popular culture, with the irony usually taking a backseat. Mostly, people tend to remember the tune and its main message rather than delving deeply into the fact that artists must earn money while simultaneously commenting on society.

David Gilmour’s guitar solo and the song’s live value

The guitar solo in this track is notably impressive, showcasing a blues-infused, emotive style. The application of reverb and sustain adds depth and expansiveness to the sound, earning it much acclaim. This solo is so evocative that it seems almost tangible. It’s also proven to be an effective choice for live performances. Interestingly, David Gilmour has mentioned that he has a substantial amount of new music ready, even though Pink Floyd no longer exists.

In the live performances and tours by both Gilmour and Waters of Pink Floyd, “Money” has consistently been a significant element. This song often incorporates lengthy improvisational segments, particularly during the guitar sections performed by Gilmour. To this day, “Money” stands out as one of Pink Floyd’s most iconic and infectious tracks, showcasing their innovative use of sound effects, unconventional time signatures, and their penchant for social commentary.

This track, frequently emphasized as significant and even pivotal for some, is often considered the standout on the legendary album “_The Dark Side of the Moon_.” This album played a crucial role in cementing Pink Floyd’s status as one of the most influential progressive rock bands ever. Despite not being quite as extended, it carries an epic quality similar to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” but in a more concise format.

Trivia

Waters wrote the lyrics himself, though the end does contain guest voices who improvised lines. Wings’ guitarist Henry McCullough is featured. Interestingly, Paul McCartney was close to being a guest voice in the song’s closing conversational collage, but he didn’t make the cut because he was too performative.

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2024-09-27 01:01