Song of the Day 8/29: Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing”
Whatever else he does, Donald Trump remains committed to the Art of the Grift. Amid his soporific campaigning and military cemetery lawbreaking, he found time to peddle a new line of so-called digital trading cards. This is as close as one can come to paying money for nothing, but Trump fans can be counted on to fork it over. He’s not getting his chicks for free, however. Last time I checked he was paying more than $100,000 apiece for them.
I’m not sure this is Dire Straits’ signature song – “Sultans of Swing” might still hold that distinction – but it was MTV’s theme song during the video music channel’s Golden Age, mainly because it was the first hit that was actually about MTV, and had a video with what were then groundbreaking computer animation. Mark Knopfler didn’t write the lyrics so much as transcribe a conversation between two workers at an electronics store who were watching Def Leppard on the store’s wall of televisions tuned to MTV.
Sting’s guest appearance on the tune was a serendipitous coincidence. Knopfler, who was recording his “Brothers in Arms” album on Montserrat, speculated that it would be great if he could get Sting to add background vocals, and was told that Sting just happened to be on the island at the time. “I want my MTV” was the slogan the company used in its commercials at the time, as they were trying to convince cable companies to add their channel to their packages. That the line’s melody was the same as the Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” added a sly wink to the proceedings.
The song still gets played on classic rock radio, but only in its chopped-down single version, so it had been years since I heard this full-length LP edit. It starts with a long fade-in that builds to a frenzied drum-and-synth climax, erupting into Knopfler’s killer guitar riff (the tone was achieved with a half-open wah wah pedal), and fades out with three minutes of a long solo. It also eliminates the song’s second verse, which tends to shock young listeners by talking about “that little faggot” who’s a millionaire.
i still vote for Romeo & Juliet
Seconded
No. 8 in the UK, did not chart in the US. Did you know that was Roy Bittan on the keys on that one?
“Money for Nothing” was their only US No. 1. They never had a No. 1 in the UK.
‘Twistin’ By The Pool’
RE the NFT, is there really no bottom to the MAGAts gullibility?
Apparently not. If you buy enough of them he sends you a piece of the suit he wore to debate Biden. The lure is that they’re collectible, so they’re valuable collectors’ items!
It’s really hard to make the case that Americans are overtaxed.
Wonder how much a MAGAt would have to ante up for a snipping from his diaper. I mean, don’t porn stars sell used undergarments?
Have been waiting for “Presidential Depends” for years, DNA “Infused” slightly extra.
You got it! I recently saw an interview on TV of a guy complaining
he had no money to get through the month. He had multiple tattoos. They’re expensive, right?
If the economy is so bad and no one can afford groceries how can they afford this worthless junk?
That album (Making Movies) starts out great but fizzles out IMO
The best example of “our taxes are too low” are the Trump boat rallys. One happening tomorrow in Dewy.
Right. You have a boat, motherfucker. What’s your complaint again?