Money (Pink Floyd song)
"Money" is a 1973 progressive rock song by Pink Floyd from The Dark Side of the Moon, written by Roger Waters. Noted for its 7/4 groove, money-themed sound effects, and enduring chart and cultural impact.
Money is a song by the English band Pink Floyd from their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Written by bassist and co‑lead singer Roger Waters, the track became one of the album's most recognizable pieces and a frequent feature in the group's live shows. It appears as the first track on the album's second side on the original vinyl original LP sequence.
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Overview and significance
Built around a memorable bass riff and a loop of money‑related sounds, the song mixes rock instrumentation with studio effects to underline its theme of greed and materialism. As a single it was the only track from the album to reach the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100, helping introduce Pink Floyd's work to a broader pop audience.
Composition and distinctive features
Musically, "Money" is famous for its unusual meter: most verses ride a 7/4 time groove before shifting into a straight 4/4 feel for the guitar solo. The contrast between the rigid counting of the verses and the freer solo section contributes to the song's tension and release. Instrumentation includes a prominent bass line, drums, electric guitar solos and a saxophone solo that became a signature part of the arrangement.
Recording and studio techniques
Engineers used tape loops of coins, cash registers and paper rustling as the rhythmic intro and thematic motif, spliced into place to form a repeating groove. The band and production team recorded at EMI studios, using overdubs and analog effects to blend the natural and artificial sounds into a compact rock arrangement.
Lyrics, themes and legacy
Waters' lyrics offer a satirical take on wealth, consumption and human self‑interest rather than celebrating material success. The song's clever production, rhythmic novelty and critical perspective have kept it in radio rotation and on classic rock playlists for decades. It remains one of Pink Floyd's best known songs and a notable example of how progressive rock could engage mainstream listeners.
Key features
- Genre roots: progressive rock.
- Album placement: opening track of side two on The Dark Side of the Moon.
- Writer: Roger Waters.
- Commercial note: entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 20.
- Meter: prominent 7/4 verse shifting to 4/4 for solo sections.
Questions and answers
Q: Who wrote the song "Money" by Pink Floyd?
A: The song was written by their bassist/co-lead singer Roger Waters.
Q: Which Pink Floyd album features the song "Money"?
A: The song was featured on their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.
Q: What is unique about the time signature of "Money"?
A: The song has an unusual 7/4–4/4 time signature.
Q: What type of rock is Pink Floyd considered to be?
A: Pink Floyd is considered to be an English progressive rock band.
Q: What is the significance of "Money" being the first song on the second side of the original album?
A: It indicates that the album was produced on vinyl, which had two sides and limited space for songs.
Q: What is the name of the chart that "Money" entered into the top 20 of?
A: "Money" entered the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Q: What is the unique sound incorporated into "Money" at the beginning of the song?
A: The sound of money-related objects is incorporated into the beginning of the song.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Money (Pink Floyd song) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/66023
Sources
- rollingstone.com : "Dark Side at 30: Roger Waters"