One all-time favorite topic when it comes to making catchy songs is money; that’s why we have prepared for you a list of 11 most popular songs about money. Money is most often the topic of rap and hip hop, but it can also be a theme of a great rock song. Some of the most catchy lines and tunes are still a part of big commercials, TV shows or even movie soundtracks.
The inspiration for a big amount of popular songs is often to be found in this theme, and it is one of the most wanted topics in the music industry. In the past, musicians often used love to create inspiring songs, and now times have changed, setting money to be the number one inspiration for new music superstars. Considering that the modern era turns around money and power, it is logical that musicians will sing about it. The music business is growing every day, and there are many producers, record labels, and artists competing for a position on the top lists. Since there is a lot of money involved in the music industry, the artists choose to write songs about it.
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Lyrics are the thing that makes us listen to one song on repeat over and over again. During the past years, musicians have come to the conclusion that money is the all-time favorite topic and that it pays off making songs about it. Songs about money are always at the top of the charts, and they are taking the big crown.
There are many songs about money today, and it is tough to be objective. To create our list, we combined three different lists that were already published by SongFacts, DigitalTrends and TownandCountryMag to make the best list of the 11 most popular songs about money. Then we used public opinion about them, considering the views on YouTube that show the amount of the song popularity. We added 1 point for every million views and ranked them according to their total score.
After you finish reading our list, be sure to check our previous post about the 11 most popular songs about death that might be interesting for you.
We present you the list of the 11 most popular songs about money, and we hope you enjoy it.
11. “Money,” Pink Floyd
Score: 3
One of the all-time best songs by the famous rock band Pink Floyd was released in 1973 on the album The Dark Side of the Moon. Roger Waters wrote the song and it was released as a single, and soon it became the band’s first and biggest hit in the USA, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for this song is all about the ways of spending and making money.
10. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” AC/DC
Score: 7
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ was released in the late 70s, and it was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott. It was the title track on the album that has the same name. When this song was finally released in the USA, in the early 80s, it reached number four on the Top Tracks chart. VH1 ranked it #24 in their 40 Greatest Metal Songs, and it is #31 on their “Best Hard Rock Songs of All Time” list.
9. “Money, Money, Money,” ABBA
Score: 15
Swedish pop group ABBA released “Money, Money, Money“ as a single in 1976, and it is all about a woman who is hard working but poor and wants a man to help her with her finances. They perform this song live in ABBA: The Movie, and it was also the part of musical “Mamma Mia!” where Meryl Streep sang this song in 2008.
8. “Can’t Buy Me Love,” The Beatles
Score:18
Paul McCartney composed “Can’t Buy Me Love,” which was the Beatles’s sixth single. Rolling Stone named it #295 on their list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This song was #1 for five weeks. The Beatles had three songs that achieved this.
7. “Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits
Score: 24
British rock group Dire Straits released “Money for Nothing” in 1985 on their album “Brothers in Arms.” The song speaks of the working class watching MTV videos and commenting on them. The famous artist Sting was featured on the backing vocals singing the legendary line “I want my MTV.”
6. “I Need a Dollar,” Aloe Blacc
Score: 29
The sixth place on our list of 11 most popular song about money goes to “I Need a Dollar” by Panamanian-American singer Aloe Blacc. The song was used as the intro song for the HBO show “How to Make It in America” and announced as a Single of the Week on iTunes.
5. “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich,” Lady Gaga
Score: 31
“Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” is a hit single by one the most famous singers in the world, Lady Gaga. The song was released in 2008 as a part of Gaga’s debut album “The Fame.” A strong dance-pop sound combined with powerful lyrics forms Lady Gaga’s trademark and formula for success.
4. “Paper Planes,” M.I.A.
Score: 71
The second album “Kala” from the artist M.I.A., including the song “Paper Planes,” is all about the money. The song is a downtempo ballad with elements of folk style. M.I.A. pushes her way to the top by writing catchy rap songs with powerful instrumentals.
3. “Gold Digger,” Kanye West with Jamie Foxx
Score: 97
American rapper Kanye West and actor Jamie Foxx recorded this hit single from the album “Registration.” Co-producer Jon Brion used samples of Foxx singing the Ray Charles hit “I Got a Woman” from the soundtrack to the film “Ray,” making this song memorable and popular. Seems that Kanye knows everything about money, that’s the way he takes the third place on our list.
2. “Billionaire,” Travie McCoy with Bruno Mars
Score: 234
Today everybody wants to be a billionaire and so does Travie McCoy. His hit single “Billionaire” featuring Bruno Mars was released on his debut album “Lazarus,” bringing him instant fame. The song shows an average person’s desire to be rich.
1. “Price Tag,” Jessie J.
Score: 468
And the number one on our list of the 11 most popular songs about money is Jessie J with the song “Price Tag.” According to clicks on YouTube, this song is the most popular song about money. The song was released in 2011 and its popularity doesn’t seem to fall.
