The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The best things in life are free
But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
Ooh babe yeah that's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
But what it don't get baby I can't use
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
All I need, that's what I want, yeah
Your lovin' gives me a thrill
But your lovin' don't pay my bills
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
Oh that's what I want
(Money)
I Want you baby it hurts me so
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Never let you go
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Give me everything you got
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Yeah
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(ooh)
That's what I want
Yeah money
(Money, That's what I want)
Gimme your money baby
(That's what I want)
I wanna be free baby, yeah
(That's what I want)
(That's what I want)
That's what I want yeah yeah yeah
(That's what I want)
Money baby
(Money that's what I want)
I want your money baby
(That's what I want)
I need your money baby
(That's what I want)
Give me your money money money baby
(That's what I want)
Ooh yeah yeah that's what I want.
But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
Ooh babe yeah that's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
But what it don't get baby I can't use
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
All I need, that's what I want, yeah
Your lovin' gives me a thrill
But your lovin' don't pay my bills
Money, that's what I want, that's what I want
Oh that's what I want
(Money)
I Want you baby it hurts me so
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Never let you go
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Give me everything you got
(That's what I want)
(Money)
Yeah
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(ooh)
That's what I want
Yeah money
(Money, That's what I want)
Gimme your money baby
(That's what I want)
I wanna be free baby, yeah
(That's what I want)
(That's what I want)
That's what I want yeah yeah yeah
(That's what I want)
Money baby
(Money that's what I want)
I want your money baby
(That's what I want)
I need your money baby
(That's what I want)
Give me your money money money baby
(That's what I want)
Ooh yeah yeah that's what I want.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Money (That's What I Want) Lyrics as written by Berry Gordy Jr. Janie Bradford
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Word Collections Publishing, Unison Rights S.L., Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, CTM Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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