Mia Patel
Money for Nothing and Chicks for Free is a line from the 1985 hit song Money for Nothing by the British rock band Dire Straits. The song features an introduction sung by Sting, with the famous line I want my MTV. The song is inspired by Mark Knopfler's recollection of a man complaining about the musicians that emerged in the 1980s. The song's music video was one of the first examples of CGI human characters and won Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV Video Awards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Dire Straits |
| Year of Release | 1985 |
| Genre | Pop rock |
| Songwriters | Mark Knopfler, Sting |
| Song Inspiration | A man complaining about musicians that emerged in the 1980s |
| Notable Performances | Live Aid 1985, Grammy Awards 1986, Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute 1986 |
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What You'll Learn
The song's music video was groundbreaking
The song "Money for Nothing" was released by the British rock band Dire Straits in 1985. It is considered an undeniable rock classic and is the band's most commercially successful single. The music video for the song was groundbreaking, featuring early 3D computer animation illustrating the lyrics. It was one of the first music videos to use computer-animated human characters and was the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network launched on 1 August 1987.
The video was created by animators Ian Pearson and Gavin Blair, who used a Bosch FGS-4000 CGI system and a Quantel Paintbox system. It includes stage footage of Dire Straits performing, with partially rotoscoped animation in bright neon colours. The groundbreaking nature of the music video can be attributed to its innovative use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and its impact on the music industry. This use of CGI was a significant milestone in the history of music videos, as it opened up new possibilities for visual effects and creative expression.
The video's animation style was so influential that it was referenced in an episode of the ReBoot series created by Pearson and Blair's computer animation studio, Mainframe Entertainment (now known as Mainframe Studios). The song's music video was also notable for being one of the first examples of MTV's early hits, with the network using the sound of Sting's initial "MTV" as their production credit title card audio. This further showcases the impact and influence of the "Money for Nothing" music video on the music industry and popular culture.
The groundbreaking music video received widespread recognition and accolades. At the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, it received 11 nominations and won several awards, including Video of the Year, Best Group Video, and Video of the Year at the third annual MTV Video Music Awards. The video's success and impact solidified its place in the history of music videos and cemented its status as a groundbreaking and influential work of art.
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It won Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV VMAs
The song "Money for Nothing" was performed by the British rock band Dire Straits. It was co-written by lead singer Mark Knopfler and Sting, who also performed the song with Dire Straits at the 1985 Live Aid Concert. The song features an introduction by Sting, singing "I want my MTV".
The music video for "Money for Nothing" was one of the first examples of CGI human characters. It won Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, beating out "Take on Me" by A-ha, which won six other awards that night. The video received a total of eleven nominations and two awards. It was the first instance of computer-animated characters on the television network. The video featured the two delivery men and their immediate surroundings in crude CGI, a straightforward interpretation of the song's premise.
The song itself was inspired by Mark Knopfler listening to a man complaining about the musicians that emerged in the 1980s. The man was an employee at an appliance store in New York City, delivering boxes and watching TVs that were all tuned to MTV. The lyrics of the song are from the perspective of two working-class men who watch music videos and give their commentary.
The song was not without controversy, as the lyrics were deemed homophobic. The second verse, not included in the video, features a homophobic slur directed at an MTV star implied to be George Michael. When performed live, Dire Straits would replace some of the words with less vulgar terms.
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The lyrics were inspired by a man complaining about 1980s musicians
"Money for Nothing" is a song by the British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1985. It is the second track on their fifth studio album, Brothers in Arms. The song features Sting, who sings the signature falsetto introduction, background vocals, and a backing chorus. It is considered one of the band's signature songs and has a famous opening guitar riff. The music video for the song was groundbreaking, featuring early 3D computer animation illustrating the lyrics and was one of the first uses of computer-animated human characters.
The lyrics of "Money for Nothing" are written from the perspective of two working-class men watching music videos and commenting on what they see. The song's narrator expresses envy and resentment towards the rock musicians he sees on MTV, who enjoy wealth and adoration with little apparent hardship. This anger and sense of injustice in how wealth is distributed form the basis of a protest song against capitalism.
The lyrics were inspired by Mark Knopfler, who, while in an appliance store in New York City, overheard a man complaining about the musicians that emerged in the 1980s. The man was an employee, dressed in a baseball cap, work boots, and a checked shirt, delivering boxes while standing next to a wall of televisions tuned to MTV. Knopfler borrowed a piece of paper and began writing down the man's words, wanting to capture the authenticity of his language.
In particular, the man's comments included lines such as "What are those, Hawaiian noises?" and "That ain't working," which Knopfler later incorporated into the song. The song also includes the man's observations about the musicians, such as "See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup?" and "Banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee." These lyrics have been criticized as being homophobic, misogynistic, and racist.
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The song's narrator is a labourer
The song "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits is a narrative told from the perspective of a working-class labourer. The narrator is a blue-collar worker, likely employed in a physical trade, and the song offers a glimpse into his daily life and thoughts. The song's lyrics were written by Mark Knopfler, who also performs the vocals and guitar in the band Dire Straits.
The narrator's occupation is suggested in the song's opening lines: "Now look at them yo-yo's, that's the way you do it, you play the guitar on the MTV." The use of "yo-yo" as a slang term for a playful or showy person sets the tone for the narrator's character and suggests a sense of detachment or even disdain for the subjects of his observation—the rock stars he watches on MTV.
The labourer's physical nature of his work is implied throughout the song, with references to "moving colored lights up and down," "hauling gear," and "sweating on a stage." These tasks suggest a roadie or stagehand who sets up and tears down concert equipment, a demanding and often thankless job. The narrator also mentions "that ain't workin'," indicating a contrast between his perception of physical labor and the seemingly glamorous life of a rock star.
The song also provides insight into the narrator's social status and class consciousness. He refers to the rock stars as "them" and himself as "I," creating a clear distinction between his world and theirs. The lyrics "We gotta install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries" further emphasize the narrator's blue-collar background, suggesting he is part of a working-class crew, perhaps in a trade like appliance installation or delivery.
Additionally, the line "Money for nothing and chicks for free" is the laborer's cynical take on the perceived perks of being a rock star. To him, it seems that these musicians are getting all the rewards without the hard work he associates with his own life. This sentiment is reinforced in the bridge, where he sings, "We're just lucky to be here," implying a sense of gratitude for even the most menial of jobs.
Overall, the song's narrator is a relatable character for many working-class listeners, and his observations offer a unique perspective on the dichotomy between the perceived glamour of the rock star life and the gritty reality of blue-collar labor.
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The song's success: it topped several charts
"Money for Nothing" is the most successful single by Dire Straits, topping several charts in the US and becoming a hit in the UK and other countries. It was released on 28 June 1985 as the second single from their fifth studio album, "Brothers in Arms". The song's music video was one of the first to feature computer-animated human characters and was the first song played on MTV Europe when the network launched on 1 August 1987. The video won Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, beating "Take on Me" by a-ha, which was created by the same director.
The song was also a commercial success, peaking at number one for three weeks on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Top Rock Tracks charts, and reaching number four in the band's native UK. It earned Dire Straits a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The song's lyrics are written from the perspective of a labourer, expressing envy at the success of rock musicians. The lead character in the song works in the hardware department of a television and appliance store, and the lyrics reflect the language used by the real-life employee that Mark Knopfler, the songwriter, met in the store.
The song's famous guitar riff is one of the most well-known of all time, and the song is widely considered one of the band's signature songs.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Money for Nothing", which includes the line "and the chicks are free", was released by Dire Straits.
The song is credited to Mark Knopfler and Sting.
Sting performed the song with Dire Straits at Live Aid in 1985.
The song is written from the perspective of a labourer who resents the success of rock musicians.
Yes, the song won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the Grammys in 1986, and Video of the Year and Best Group Video at the MTV VMAs.
