Everyone looks forward to the day after Thanksgiving because it’s the first day of the holiday shopping season. Also known as Black Friday. Folks head out at the wee hours of the morning to be one of the first to grab the hottest deals and to, most of all, spend money.
In the first installment of “The Playlists”, a new feature here on Intellectual Soul in which I’ll list the best songs the revolve around a given theme, here are my favorite money songs as well as a little history on the song itself. Enjoy.
The O’Jays – For the Love of Money
The track was written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Anthony Jackson; and recorded by Philadelphia soul group The O’Jays for the album Ship Ahoy. The song’s title comes from a well-known Bible verse, 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (King James Version).
Eric B. & Rakim – Paid in Full
This track was released on the album of the same name July 7, 1987 on 4th and B’way records. Paid in full is considered the benchmark of golden aged hip hop whils Rakim’s use of internal rhymes set a higher standard of lyricism in the genre and served as a template for future rappers.
Whitney Houston – God Bless the Child (cover)
The original of this song is written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1939, first recorded on May 9, 1941 under the Okeh label. n her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues, Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song, in which her mother said the line “God bless the child that’s got his own.” The anger over the incident led her to turn that line into a starting point for a song, which she worked out in conjunction with Herzog.
Notorious B.I.G – Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems
This track was recorded in 1996 and released after Smalls untimely death in 1997. Inspiration for the song comes from the idea that the more successful you are, the more problems that come your way. The track was also nominated for a (posthumous) Grammy in 1998. Puff Daddy and Mase collaborated on the song and made a video featuring old clips of the Notorious B.I.G.
Kanye West – Gold Digger
“Gold Digger” contains a sample of “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles, a bouncy beat formed from hand claps and vocal samples from Jamie Foxx. West’s lyrical narrative within the track depicts the disastrous life of a man married to a woman who manipulates him for financial gain. However, another story arises within the third verse, which illustrates a once destitute black male who earns a fortune and decides to leave a loyal, unselfish girlfriend for a white girl.
Gwen Stefani featuring Eve – Rich Girl
This track is produced by Dr. Dre and is a cover version of Louchie Lou & Michie One 1994 single from their album ‘I’ll Be Free’. Louchie Lou & Michie One’s version of Rich Girl was in turn an adaptation of the Fiddler on the Roof song “If I Were a Rich Man”. Stefani relates to the song stating it discusses her dreams of fame and riches from the perspective of “when she was just an Orange County girl”.
Michael Jackson – Money
This track is found on Jackson’s HIStory album, which was released in 1997. Although the symbolism of the track has often been in question, with most thinking this track revolves around the fact that his molestation accusers where in it for the money, the lyrics dont leave a lot to be figured out. “If you show me the cash, Then I will take it. If you tell me to cry, Then I will fake it. If you give me a hand, Then I will shake it. You do anything for money…”
Lauryn Hill – Lost Ones
This track is lifted from her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which dropped on August 25, 1998 on Columbia Records and samples “Super Hoe” from Boogie Down Produtions. With lyrics like, “Now now how come your talk turn cold, Gained the whole world for the price of your soul. Tryin’ to grab hold of what you can’t control, Now you’re all floss, what a sight to behold. Wisdom is better than silver and gold…,” we see Lauryn feeding us lyrically the understanding that money can buy some things, but what you give up to get it is lost forever.
Billie Holiday – Pennies from Heaven
Pennies from Heaven was written by Authur Johnston with words by Johnny Burke. It was recorded by Holiday in 1936 after being introduced by Bing Crosby in a film of the same name. This recording was done in late 1936, also with Jonah Jones trumpet and Ben Webster on tenorsax. Next to Teddy in the rhythm group were Allan Reuss guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums.
