Money For Nothing

"Money for Nothing" is a song by British group Dire Straits, which first appeared on their 1985 album Brothers in Arms and subsequently became an international hit when released as a single. It peaked at number one for three weeks in the U.S., becoming their most successful single. In the band's native UK, the song peaked at number 4. According to the Money For Nothing Songfacts, this song is about rock star excess and the easy life it brings compared with real work. Mark Knopfler wrote it after overhearing delivery men in a New York department store complain about their jobs while watching MTV. He wrote the song in the store sitting at a kitchen display they had set up. Many of the lyrics were things they actually said. The song was notable for its controversial lyrics, groundbreaking music video and a cameo appearance by Sting singing the song's iconic falsetto introduction and backing chorus, a borrowing of the cable network's slogan "I want my MTV".This chorus mirrors The Police intro to "don't stand so close to me". The video was also the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network started on August 1, 1987.

[Intro] I want my... I want my MTV I want my... I want my MTV I want my... I want my MTV I want my... I want my MTV [Instrumental break 1:13-2:04] [Verse 1] Now look at them yo-yo's, that's the way you do it You play the guitar on the MTV That ain't workin', that's the way you do it Money for nothin,' and your chicks for free Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb Maybe get a blister on your little finger Maybe get a blister on your thumb [Chorus] We got to install microwave ovens Custom kitchen deliveries We got to move these refrigerators We got to move these color TVs [Verse 2] See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup? Yeah buddy, that's his own hair That little faggot got his own jet airplane That little faggot, he's a millionaire [Chorus] We got to install microwave ovens Custom kitchen deliveries We got to move these refrigerators We got to move these color TVs Hoover mover Uh [Chorus] Gotta install microwave ovens Custom kitchen deliveries He's gotta move these refrigerators Got to move these color TVs Looky here, look out [Verse 3] I shoulda learned to play the guitar I shoulda learned to play them drums Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera Man, we could have some And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises? He's bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee Oh, that ain't workin', that's the way you do it Get your money for nothin', get your chicks for free [Chorus] We got to install microwave ovens Custom kitchen deliveries We got to move these refrigerators We got to move these color TVs [Verse 4] Listen here Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it You play the guitar on the MTV That ain't workin' That's the way you do it Money for nothin', and your chicks for free [Bridge] Money for nothin', chicks for free (Get your) Money for nothin', chicks for free Money for nothin', chicks for free Money for nothin', chicks for free Money for nothin', chicks for free Money for nothin', chicks for free Ow, Money for nothin', yeah And the chicks for free What's that? Get your money for nothin', chicks for free Look at that, look at that Get your money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Bozos Chicks for free (I want my MTV) Money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Chicks for free (I want my MTV) (Get your) Money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Chicks for free (I want my MTV) Ah, money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Chicks for free (I want my MTV) Easy, easy money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Easy, easy, chicks for free (I want my MTV) Easy, easy money for nothin' (I want my, I want my) Chicks for free (I want my MTV) That ain't workin' [Instrumental break 6:52-8:01] [Outro] Money for nothin', chicks for free Money for nothin', chicks for free