The story behind this song is that Mark Knopfler (singer, guitarist) was in a department store/mall or whatever in the appliance department. There was the usual array of TVs that were tuned to MTV. Some of the guys making the comments about how if only they learned to play guitar, they could be on MTV also, instead of having to install microwave ovens, or color TVs. The implication was that the life of a rock star was easy (Money for Nothing and etc). Mark Knopfler took out a notebook and wrote down some of the things the guys were saying and made them into the lyrics of this song. So the whole thing is meant to be ironic. The video for the song was also one of the finest of the 1980s and kind of illustrates the story in a cartoon-like fashion. Dire Straits were already big when this album came out, but it this album was a huge success for them.
Mr. Karl did a good job of explaining, the guys Mr. Mark overheard worked at this Store delivering appliances & T.V.. The Workers are assuming being in a good Band is little to no work at all, and being a hit Band, the girls come to U.. For this Song; Money and Fame are synonymous.. Great Song & Video (Official Video).. 1988 I think.. ♠W.G.
The song is much cooler if you watch the official video. It was so 80s and super early MTV. It’s the MTV us Gen Xers grew up with. Sting from The Police is singing in this too.
Sting is the higher voice. At the end, the melody Sting sings, "I want my MTV" with, is The Police's song, "Don't Stand So Close to Me." Y'all should follow up with that one!
I'm Gay and I Hate when they do that! I even called my Local Classic Rock Station to not do it! ..... The Song is from the point of view of the Ignorant Workers!
The song is written from the viewpoint of installers working at an appliance store. These guys are hard workin guys and looking at the people on MTV and wishing they had learned to play guitar.
@@ilikejohnhurt that's correct. That's how Knopler justifies his use of a certain F word in the second verse (which has been edited out here) - because he's recounting actual events
The lyrics that you didn't hear was edited out due to the "faggot" reference, but was sung in the original; pertaining primarily to the glam rock age of heavy metal videos.
The lyrics that you saw that weren't sung on this "censored" version, is sung on the original version. It was edited out to be more "sensitive". Ironically, I've seen those words sung or on screen, as you just saw, MORE NOW, when everyone is so concerned about being "correct". Anyway, it's a head bobbing tune. That guitar riffs is epic. Peace!
It’s censored and it’s wrong. Censorship is wrong. I don’t care what they said. It meant something different to Brits anyway. I wish we would stop changing history.
The perspective was supposed to be from someone unsophisticated and judgmental, so the character's 'lines' need to sound unsophisticated and judgmental. Wanting to take those elements out of this song, is like wanting the things Freddie Mercury had to deal with around being gay, removed from the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Doing so is to lie in a way that makes us look better than we were/are.
@@Huddle_House56 Man, you said it. Furthermore, censorship is selective nowadays - heavily biased in favor of those that this song is referring to. I'm not saying it's okay, but it's just a song lyric from the 80's.
This was pathetic because of the censored version of the song. Dire Straits kept the word “f**got” in the lyrics because that was the word used by the appliance movers used when they commented on the band they saw on MTV. This version betrays the masterpiece original long version. I can’t believe we live in a world where we can’t have an adult understand of it not being appropriate to use the word “f**got” without butchering a song. This version of the song was crap. Here is the original. th-cam.com/video/wTP2RUD_cL0/w-d-xo.html
Isn't just the original single/video version? I'm sure they've self-censored a bunch of times on live versions as well. Besides, it's really the full intro that you miss out on with this version.
@@Xenon0000000000001 I saw them play this song live around 5 or 6 times and not once did Mark ever say f*ggot when they played this,so you're exactly correct. Also,somewhat ironically I guess,the MTV video switches it to "some little queenie". It cracks me up when I see people act like censorship and canceling (though it wasn't called that then) are new things. They aren't. FFS,religions have been doing that shit forever.
@@CjJohns1776 Millennial? I was 22 when this song (and the EDITED VIDEO) came out. They 1000% censored things back then. Shit,when I was in middle school and a show called SOAP premiered many affiliates around the country,including our local ABC station,WMAR in Baltimore,refused to carry it because Billy Crystal's character was gay. Tipper Gore and the Christian Conservatives and their stupid ass PMRC movement that got warning labels stuck on albums (which only BOOSTED their sales,so yeah,job well done). Nixon's "Moral Majority". Wanna go further? How about not showing Elvis from the waist down on TV in the 50's? The Ed Sullivan show not letting the Stones sing "Let's spend the NIGHT together" and having them change it to "time" instead? Or telling The Doors not to sing "Girl,we couldn't get much higher"? Which Morrison,of course,totally ignored. I could give hundred more examples,but you've already proven that you don't have the first damned clue what you're talking about. Educate yourself.
The censorship of art is unacceptable, nobody would tolerate changing or removing a piece of a painting or sculpture. Individuals who gleefully censor music and video content under the guise of being for the protection of the public are deeply flawed individuals.
Sting was in Monserrat and visited the studio where Dire Straits were recording their album. he heard the track and knew it was going to be a big hit. Mark Knopfler invited Sting to add something to the track, so he added an Intro and Coda vocal line. "I want my... I want my... I want my MTV!" which follows the same melody as "Don't stand so... don't stand so... don't stand so close to me!" There's an irony in the song being 'Money for nothing', Sting got a co-credit for simply reusing one of his own tunes.
Others here have told the story of how this song was written. You need to see the video. The video was an award winning video on its own. Very creative!
The video is what really sold this song, the 8-bit digital working class stiffs were installing microwave ovens and custom kitchen deliverararies! In case no one else pointed it out, Sting and the rest of the band The Police were in a prominent ads for MTV back in the day in which they bellowed, "I WANT MY MTV!" The melody he used for this song is from "Don't Stand So Close To Me." Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I love this song and video! Fun fact: that’s Sting singing the intro and in the song with Mark Knopfler (lead singer)! This song was a classic eighties hit and was at the peak of the MTV craze! MTV used the “I Want My MTV” in its promotions!! ❤️❤️
I have to say I love your show your reactions are honest and humble and you both compliment one another! This is such a refreshing and relaxing way to forget the past 2 years in our world! Happy 2022 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
The song is about one of the band members experience in a department store. He heard the delivery guys watching MTV while doing their work, making comments about the musicians and singers playing on the MTV video.
So Far Away From Me is a good one.Explanation for the song lyrics to those who dont know 👉The lyrics were from the POV of two working-class men who watched videos and gave their commentaries. Knopfler got the idea while he was at an appliance store in New York City. They had a bunch of TVs displayed on a wall and tuned in to one channel - MTV. As he stood there and watched, another man dressed in work clothes stood beside him and started commenting on what they saw. Knopfler immediately grabbed a pen and paper to write some of the things he said and used them for the song. Knopfler told Bill Flanagan in 1984: “The lead character in “Money for Nothing” is a guy who works in the hardware department in a television/custom kitchen/refrigerator/microwave appliance store. He’s singing the song. I wrote the song when I was actually in the store. I borrowed a bit of paper and started to write the song down in the store. I wanted to use a lot of the language that the real guy actually used when I heard him, because it was more real…”
The British MTV music video of this done was the first video played in Great Britain. The song you played was hacked up. The song was inspired from one of the band members in a department store was listening to the workers basically saying that to the video that was playing and they wrote the song from the workers point. You need to watch the animated version.
Watch the video and you will get it. Mark overheard some delivery guys watching the TVs in the shop and complaining that it was an easy way to earn a livelihood.
You need the video to understand that the workers were watching the tv’s in the stores playing MTV and they were jealous of the rockstars getting rich living the good life
If you see the official video you can understand the lyrics better. You actually see each character play out their parts and it becomes clearer. They actually have some moving men watching the band on TV and from their viewpoint they (the band) are making money for nothing while the movers are doing hard work is how it starts and goes from there. At one point you hear the movers sing "I should have learned to play the guitar, I should have learned to play them drums".
The lyrics were inspired by a conversation between appliance workers at an electronics store... watching MTV videos on the store TV's and thinking they could be rich & famous if only that had become musicians and got on MTV, then they could get money & chicks... The co-vocals were done by Sting (former singer of The Police, and later solo artist) who sang "I want my MTV". Dire Straits were a pop rock band - a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Mark Knopfler (who is now a solo artist now)
Sting in the intro and backups also in outro...love this video...I can tell you the meaning if need be. He is coming from an appliance guy watching super stars on stage with money and groupies lol...get a few blisters from playing guitar lol
Asia, I saw the puzzled look on your face when the lyrics of the 2nd verse was on the screen, but not in the audio. This is the censored version of the song. The original version included the 2nd verse, but political correctness invaded the world and that verse is seldom heard anywhere because of the word "f*ggot".
Unfortunately you chose a very poorly done lyric video to react to. The creator of the video used a bad radio edit. The original recorded version is much longer; it has an extended, slow build-up intro, the second verse isn't silent, and there's a great guitar solo outro. Sorry, but what you heard is not the real song. Please listen to the full original audio version. Now, for the meaning of the lyrics. MTV originally broadcasted only music videos 24/7. The songwriter, Mark Knopfler, was in the TV department at an appliance store and overheard two of the store's delivery drivers conversing as they watched MTV playing on the TVs. They were envious of the musicians they saw getting "money for nothing" just for playing music, while they were getting low pay for doing "real work" delivering appliances. The guy you hear singing "I want my MTV" is Sting, the lead singer of the band "The Police". He sings that line using the melody from his band's song, "Don't Stand So Close to Me", which was a big hit that everyone knew. This is an iconic 80s Rock song.
MTV only showed music videos when it began. One of their promotions urged people to tell their cable companies "I want my MTV." The guy singing that part is Sting from The Police.
Oh my gosh this song takes me back. Me and my sisters would stay up late watching MTV for hours. Back when MTV played nothing but videos not the crap they show now 😊✌️🤘
the lyrics are from the POV of an hourly worker in an electronics/appliance store (a la Best Buy) watching MTV (old MTV music videos) and thinking how good those rock stars have life.
The appliance store was CRAZY EDDIES and they were throughout the NYC Metro area. Mark was in the CRAZY EDDIE store in the village (Manh) and he listened to this discussion between 2 employees as they worked. The multiple TV's on display had this NEW station called MTV (when it actually had music videos on it) and these workers were commenting on the videos on at the time. The Stores saying was that EDDIES Prices were INSANE.
“I want my MTV” - this phrase was an ad program that MTV was running at the time where musicians would appear on screen next to the logo and say “I want my MTV”. I think this was an early campaign to get MTV on to more cable broadcasters.
You should really see the Video! It's fun and makes more sense! Back in the day everyone wasn't politically correct, and he was overhearing two guys talking about the videos on the TV, for a while some people complained and it couldn't be played on the radio in some places, but it's played again, and the original video is still up!
Oh...you have to watch the official video when listening to this for the first time. I can understand your confusion. This song and video were epic during the time MTV was popular. As others have commented, the song is told from the perspective of appliance installers. The workers are looking at the musicians on MTV and perceiving their life as easy "Money for nothing..."
This song was the maHOOsive single on their third fourth album. Check out Dire Straits, Communique, Making Movies. This album was released in 1986 from memory. The band first got big in the late 70s.
Yall should watch the video, it all makes sense then. One of the best video's that came out of MTV. They even used the " I want my MTV ' part as a commercial. Enjoy
Remember this song was written in the early 80's whden MTV actually plated videos. He was saying, look at those yo yo's on MTV playing the guitar. They are getting their money for nothing as opposed to the common laborer that has to work hard for just a few bucks.
My dad used to play these guys when I was a kid he always switched the lyric "chick's for free" to "chickens for free" and at one point almost convinced me it was written by an employee at one of the local appliance stores in our town 😂 good memories man!
The backround vocals were actually sung by Sting in the recording = that's him singing "I want my MTV" and doing the wolf howl, he sings the very first line in the song and you hear him throughout the song = AND it is based on a real incident that was experienced by Mark Knofler in the Appliance Dept of a large Deptartment Store in New York as he was listening to the rantings of the Department manager to his sales personal while MTV was playing on a bank of Televisions
Dire Straits were not formed in Newcastle. Mark Knopfler and his brother David came from Newcastle but formed the band with John Illsley and Pick Withers in Deptford London.
@@13chigrl Same thing. sensibility - synonyms: sensitivity · sensitiveness · finer feelings · delicacy · subtlety · taste · [More] (sensibilities) a quality of delicate sensitivity that makes one liable to be offended or shocked. "the scale of the poverty revealed by the survey shocked people's sensibilities"
The lyrics were written by Mark Knopfler the main guitarist and singer.He was in an appliance store in New York shopping when he heard an employee who was watching one of the TVs on the wall. It was showing a group on MTV. The employee started to complain that those guys on TV don't really work! Mark heard the complaints and wrote the hit song Money for Nothing.
Read Karl Haakonsen's comment below. His description is what is known to be the origination of the song. The band was talking about people who make fun of rock stars, thinking they don't really work hard for their fortune and fame.
Knopfler and Sting wrote the song while in a store in New York. This is stuff the delivery guys were saying while watching MTV. They were talking about musicians making money for nothing while they were busting their asses moving refrigerators. And their chicks were free. Good work if you can get it.
That was written about a Maintenance Man that came to fix their Fridge. Those were the actual words the guy was saying while he was working. They had “M-TV” on He is talking about Rockers just play music, & get the “Chicks” (think groupies) for free. You can fact check me on this!!
Such a groove! Mark Knopfler is a remarkable songwriter/singer/guitarist. Backing vocals by Sting. They removed the "f" word but artists (and reactors) use the "F" word and get posted.
Need to check out Tunnel of Love my fav, Telegraph Road, Private Investigations, Romeo and Juliet, Brothers in Arms off this Album of Money for nothing, def have to see the video versions.
You still need to go hear every cut on their first album! It wasn't their biggest, but arguably their best! 'Wild West End' is my song off that album. 😁
Back in the day(1985 when this song came out), there was this channel called MTV that was extremely popular. Probably, no one born after 1997 knows what the hell MTV is now. lol.
The censorship was wrong. Growing up in the '70s we used the word "faggot" not as a form of discrimination against a group of people. It was our way of saying cuss words without saying cuss words. Fifty years later I would just say "Screw you bitch" instead of "Screw you faggot". Now I'm not saying that calling someone a bitch or faggot is right. It's just me thinking back to my youth and asking myself what I meant when I said it. It wasn't homophobic for me but I'm sure someone took it that way. People and times change.
My take on it is that he's singing about workers thinking of musicians like they aren't working but only getting money for free, maybe with some blisters on their fingers from playing the guitar. While they are moving refrigerators and color tv's.
Hi Guys , the group always claimed the song said get your cheques for free and the part that was censored was taking the piss out of musicians i.e themselves !! : ) A major hit from a absolutely major group : )
make me pround that i come the the United Kingdom... we have produced some of the best music in the World and we have certainly influenced it as dire Straits Displays so well in this totally awsome 80's tune...
The video shows what it was all about. Dire Straits were a huge hit with the early launch of MTV. This video you watched was obviously edited cause of the words used in that "quiet" passage. Great band. I saw them live a couple of times back in the 80's. Cheers.
The song was about appliance delivery and installers who wished they had learned to play guitars or drums so they wouldn't have to be installing appliances and could be playing on MTV instead and getting money for nothing and chicks for free. You also really missed out by not playing the official video.
The story behind this song is that Mark Knopfler (singer, guitarist) was in a department store/mall or whatever in the appliance department. There was the usual array of TVs that were tuned to MTV. Some of the guys making the comments about how if only they learned to play guitar, they could be on MTV also, instead of having to install microwave ovens, or color TVs. The implication was that the life of a rock star was easy (Money for Nothing and etc). Mark Knopfler took out a notebook and wrote down some of the things the guys were saying and made them into the lyrics of this song. So the whole thing is meant to be ironic. The video for the song was also one of the finest of the 1980s and kind of illustrates the story in a cartoon-like fashion.
Dire Straits were already big when this album came out, but it this album was a huge success for them.
@karlhaakonsen That explanation is exactly as I heard the story of how the song came about.
Mr. Karl did a good job of explaining, the guys Mr. Mark overheard worked at this Store delivering appliances & T.V.. The Workers are assuming being
in a good Band is little to no work at all, and being a hit Band, the girls come to U.. For this Song; Money and Fame are synonymous..
Great Song & Video (Official Video).. 1988 I think.. ♠W.G.
I had heard they were actual movers talking about him thinking he could hear them moving stuff into his new place.
Watch the music video
@@PatrickWalen Yes, Mr. Patrick, I agree.. ♠W.G.
The song is much cooler if you watch the official video. It was so 80s and super early MTV. It’s the MTV us Gen Xers grew up with. Sting from The Police is singing in this too.
I thought, and still maintain, that this video SHOULD have been MTV's first video.
Right! I was so disappointed that they weren’t watching the video
Sting is the higher voice. At the end, the melody Sting sings, "I want my MTV" with, is The Police's song, "Don't Stand So Close to Me." Y'all should follow up with that one!
@@ffjsb it was first video on MTV Europe
@@ffjsb But she is, ffjsb...
Can’t believe they have censored this song…..what is this World coming to 😔
Only this version is censored the official music video isn’t.
I'm Gay and I Hate when they do that! I even called my Local Classic Rock Station to not do it! ..... The Song is from the point of view of the Ignorant Workers!
It was censored when it first came out. Censorship has always existed.
@@bartstarr100 Erm……no it wasn’t
@@jamesalexander5623 no one cares who you have sex with
The song is written from the viewpoint of installers working at an appliance store. These guys are hard workin guys and looking at the people on MTV and wishing they had learned to play guitar.
Exactly right...
Wasn’t based on an actual conversation Mark Knopfler overheard?
@@ilikejohnhurt that's correct. That's how Knopler justifies his use of a certain F word in the second verse (which has been edited out here) - because he's recounting actual events
@@davejones1583 Ridiculous censorship 🤬 In the UK,that word has never really been used in that particular way anyway,it's actually a food item.
@@ilikejohnhurt Yes
The lyrics that you didn't hear was edited out due to the "faggot" reference, but was sung in the original; pertaining primarily to the glam rock age of heavy metal videos.
The lyrics that you saw that weren't sung on this "censored" version, is sung on the original version. It was edited out to be more "sensitive". Ironically, I've seen those words sung or on screen, as you just saw, MORE NOW, when everyone is so concerned about being "correct". Anyway, it's a head bobbing tune. That guitar riffs is epic. Peace!
It’s censored and it’s wrong. Censorship is wrong. I don’t care what they said. It meant something different to Brits anyway. I wish we would stop changing history.
The perspective was supposed to be from someone unsophisticated and judgmental, so the character's 'lines' need to sound unsophisticated and judgmental. Wanting to take those elements out of this song, is like wanting the things Freddie Mercury had to deal with around being gay, removed from the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Doing so is to lie in a way that makes us look better than we were/are.
@@Huddle_House56 My point exactly, and this Woke nonsense will never end unless people speak out and air their concerns.
@@Huddle_House56 Man, you said it. Furthermore, censorship is selective nowadays - heavily biased in favor of those that this song is referring to. I'm not saying it's okay, but it's just a song lyric from the 80's.
@Mike Rauch Anything for you to be a victim, right?
This was pathetic because of the censored version of the song. Dire Straits kept the word “f**got” in the lyrics because that was the word used by the appliance movers used when they commented on the band they saw on MTV.
This version betrays the masterpiece original long version.
I can’t believe we live in a world where we can’t have an adult understand of it not being appropriate to use the word “f**got” without butchering a song.
This version of the song was crap.
Here is the original. th-cam.com/video/wTP2RUD_cL0/w-d-xo.html
Isn't just the original single/video version? I'm sure they've self-censored a bunch of times on live versions as well. Besides, it's really the full intro that you miss out on with this version.
@@Xenon0000000000001
I saw them play this song live around 5 or 6 times and not once did Mark ever say f*ggot when they played this,so you're exactly correct. Also,somewhat ironically I guess,the MTV video switches it to "some little queenie". It cracks me up when I see people act like censorship and canceling (though it wasn't called that then) are new things. They aren't. FFS,religions have been doing that shit forever.
@@wreckingKREW1 they didn't start doing this crap till 2000 or later. FKG MILLENIAL P.C. SHIT
@@CjJohns1776
Millennial? I was 22 when this song (and the EDITED VIDEO) came out. They 1000% censored things back then.
Shit,when I was in middle school and a show called SOAP premiered many affiliates around the country,including our local ABC station,WMAR in Baltimore,refused to carry it because Billy Crystal's character was gay. Tipper Gore and the Christian Conservatives and their stupid ass PMRC movement that got warning labels stuck on albums (which only BOOSTED their sales,so yeah,job well done). Nixon's "Moral Majority".
Wanna go further? How about not showing Elvis from the waist down on TV in the 50's? The Ed Sullivan show not letting the Stones sing "Let's spend the NIGHT together" and having them change it to "time" instead? Or telling The Doors not to sing "Girl,we couldn't get much higher"? Which Morrison,of course,totally ignored.
I could give hundred more examples,but you've already proven that you don't have the first damned clue what you're talking about. Educate yourself.
The censorship of art is unacceptable, nobody would tolerate changing or removing a piece of a painting or sculpture. Individuals who gleefully censor music and video content under the guise of being for the protection of the public are deeply flawed individuals.
The "I want My MTV" part of this song was sung by Sting from The Police who guested on this song.
Sting was in Monserrat and visited the studio where Dire Straits were recording their album. he heard the track and knew it was going to be a big hit. Mark Knopfler invited Sting to add something to the track, so he added an Intro and Coda vocal line. "I want my... I want my... I want my MTV!" which follows the same melody as "Don't stand so... don't stand so... don't stand so close to me!" There's an irony in the song being 'Money for nothing', Sting got a co-credit for simply reusing one of his own tunes.
Others here have told the story of how this song was written. You need to see the video. The video was an award winning video on its own. Very creative!
This was the first video played for the launch of MTV Europe. True 80’s classic & you should go for the MTV video version (not edited or censored).
Wrong the first video ever on mtv was the song 'video killed the radio star'
Read my comment again please. I said it was the first video on the launch of MTV EUROPE, not MTV…
This is their perspective as to how regular working people view them on MTV....Huge hit back in the day
Back when MTV was actually a music channel
The video is what really sold this song, the 8-bit digital working class stiffs were installing microwave ovens and custom kitchen deliverararies!
In case no one else pointed it out, Sting and the rest of the band The Police were in a prominent ads for MTV back in the day in which they bellowed, "I WANT MY MTV!" The melody he used for this song is from "Don't Stand So Close To Me." Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I love this song and video! Fun fact: that’s Sting singing the intro and in the song with Mark Knopfler (lead singer)! This song was a classic eighties hit and was at the peak of the MTV craze! MTV used the “I Want My MTV” in its promotions!! ❤️❤️
Happy early New Year, loves ❤️ this band has always been in my playlist, I was born in the 70’s 🤗
I have to say I love your show your reactions are honest and humble and you both compliment one another! This is such a refreshing and relaxing way to forget the past 2 years in our world! Happy 2022 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
The lead singer of The Police, Sting, sang backup on this song.
You guys are missing parts of the song but you really really need to see the video
Man, they censored the best verse of a great song.
The song is about one of the band members experience in a department store. He heard the delivery guys watching MTV while doing their work, making comments about the musicians and singers playing on the MTV video.
This is definitely one of those songs you have to watch the video with it! It's really great!
So Far Away From Me is a good one.Explanation for the song lyrics to those who dont know 👉The lyrics were from the POV of two working-class men who watched videos and gave their commentaries. Knopfler got the idea while he was at an appliance store in New York City. They had a bunch of TVs displayed on a wall and tuned in to one channel - MTV. As he stood there and watched, another man dressed in work clothes stood beside him and started commenting on what they saw. Knopfler immediately grabbed a pen and paper to write some of the things he said and used them for the song.
Knopfler told Bill Flanagan in 1984: “The lead character in “Money for Nothing” is a guy who works in the hardware department in a television/custom kitchen/refrigerator/microwave appliance store. He’s singing the song. I wrote the song when I was actually in the store. I borrowed a bit of paper and started to write the song down in the store. I wanted to use a lot of the language that the real guy actually used when I heard him, because it was more real…”
This was the “friendly version “ .. But the lyrics was up there for the other version… The song is a working man’s view of the rockstar lifestyle
The British MTV music video of this done was the first video played in Great Britain. The song you played was hacked up. The song was inspired from one of the band members in a department store was listening to the workers basically saying that to the video that was playing and they wrote the song from the workers point. You need to watch the animated version.
Watch the video and you will get it. Mark overheard some delivery guys watching the TVs in the shop and complaining that it was an easy way to earn a livelihood.
The lyrics that you saw that weren't sung on this "censored" version, is sung on the original version
MTV `s first "protest " song and the directors of MTV loved it so much that it was one of the most played videoes at the beginning
You need the video to understand that the workers were watching the tv’s in the stores playing MTV and they were jealous of the rockstars getting rich living the good life
Back in the day when MTV actually showed videos....back to back. The next best incarnation since the early days of SNL.
If you see the official video you can understand the lyrics better. You actually see each character play out their parts and it becomes clearer. They actually have some moving men watching the band on TV and from their viewpoint they (the band) are making money for nothing while the movers are doing hard work is how it starts and goes from there. At one point you hear the movers sing "I should have learned to play the guitar, I should have learned to play them drums".
The lyrics were inspired by a conversation between appliance workers at an electronics store... watching MTV videos on the store TV's and thinking they could be rich & famous if only that had become musicians and got on MTV, then they could get money & chicks...
The co-vocals were done by Sting (former singer of The Police, and later solo artist) who sang "I want my MTV".
Dire Straits were a pop rock band - a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Mark Knopfler (who is now a solo artist now)
Happy new year to the both of you and all frequenters of your channel looking forward to a whole new year of reactions - because you never left
Sting in the intro and backups also in outro...love this video...I can tell you the meaning if need be. He is coming from an appliance guy watching super stars on stage with money and groupies lol...get a few blisters from playing guitar lol
Asia, I saw the puzzled look on your face when the lyrics of the 2nd verse was on the screen, but not in the audio. This is the censored version of the song. The original version included the 2nd verse, but political correctness invaded the world and that verse is seldom heard anywhere because of the word "f*ggot".
That's bull shit!
Unfortunately you chose a very poorly done lyric video to react to. The creator of the video used a bad radio edit. The original recorded version is much longer; it has an extended, slow build-up intro, the second verse isn't silent, and there's a great guitar solo outro. Sorry, but what you heard is not the real song. Please listen to the full original audio version.
Now, for the meaning of the lyrics. MTV originally broadcasted only music videos 24/7. The songwriter, Mark Knopfler, was in the TV department at an appliance store and overheard two of the store's delivery drivers conversing as they watched MTV playing on the TVs. They were envious of the musicians they saw getting "money for nothing" just for playing music, while they were getting low pay for doing "real work" delivering appliances. The guy you hear singing "I want my MTV" is Sting, the lead singer of the band "The Police". He sings that line using the melody from his band's song, "Don't Stand So Close to Me", which was a big hit that everyone knew. This is an iconic 80s Rock song.
MTV only showed music videos when it began. One of their promotions urged people to tell their cable companies "I want my MTV." The guy singing that part is Sting from The Police.
Oh my gosh this song takes me back. Me and my sisters would stay up late watching MTV for hours. Back when MTV played nothing but videos not the crap they show now 😊✌️🤘
Well said Misty
the lyrics are from the POV of an hourly worker in an electronics/appliance store (a la Best Buy) watching MTV (old MTV music videos) and thinking how good those rock stars have life.
The appliance store was CRAZY EDDIES and they were throughout the NYC Metro area. Mark was in the CRAZY EDDIE store in the village (Manh) and he listened to this discussion between 2 employees as they worked. The multiple TV's on display had this NEW station called MTV (when it actually had music videos on it) and these workers were commenting on the videos on at the time. The Stores saying was that EDDIES Prices were INSANE.
“I want my MTV” - this phrase was an ad program that MTV was running at the time where musicians would appear on screen next to the logo and say “I want my MTV”. I think this was an early campaign to get MTV on to more cable broadcasters.
He’s talking about them working , by moving refrigerators and tvs . But watching mtv and seeing guys playing guitars and the groupees
You guys could also do the video that came out with this, it was almost literally THE first animated music video back in the day
Check out Dire Straits' song "Industrial Disease" from 1979, also a classic, which addresses pollution caused by over-industrialization.
You should really see the Video! It's fun and makes more sense!
Back in the day everyone wasn't politically correct, and he was overhearing two guys talking about the videos on the TV, for a while some people complained and it couldn't be played on the radio in some places, but it's played again, and the original video is still up!
Oh...you have to watch the official video when listening to this for the first time. I can understand your confusion. This song and video were epic during the time MTV was popular. As others have commented, the song is told from the perspective of appliance installers. The workers are looking at the musicians on MTV and perceiving their life as easy "Money for nothing..."
bj finally back from work. this is a good one
thanks ASIA AND BJ, ,31 DEC US MY BIRTHDAY AND YOUR 3 REACTIONS WERE FIRST ON MY PLAYLIST TODAY
This song was the maHOOsive single on their third fourth album. Check out Dire Straits, Communique, Making Movies. This album was released in 1986 from memory. The band first got big in the late 70s.
Yall should watch the video, it all makes sense then. One of the best video's that came out of MTV. They even used the " I want my MTV ' part as a commercial. Enjoy
Remember this song was written in the early 80's whden MTV actually plated videos. He was saying, look at those yo yo's on MTV playing the guitar. They are getting their money for nothing as opposed to the common laborer that has to work hard for just a few bucks.
My dad used to play these guys when I was a kid he always switched the lyric "chick's for free" to "chickens for free" and at one point almost convinced me it was written by an employee at one of the local appliance stores in our town 😂 good memories man!
STING IS THE BACKGROUND SINGER !!!
He is also a credited writer along with Knopfler
@@glennelfmann3143 they wrote the whole song together and S I recall STING was more popular than DIRE STRATS
Mark Knopfler the lead vocal and guitarist took this from an appliance store sales person he heard and the T.V. s were on MTV in the store.
I know sometime you can't watch the official video with youtube rules, but seeing the visual is better
Song was written for MTV! You really need to see the MTV Video while listening to the song.
The backround vocals were actually sung by Sting in the recording = that's him singing "I want my MTV" and doing the wolf howl, he sings the very first line in the song and you hear him throughout the song = AND it is based on a real incident that was experienced by Mark Knofler in the Appliance Dept of a large Deptartment Store in New York as he was listening to the rantings of the Department manager to his sales personal while MTV was playing on a bank of Televisions
Dire Straits were not formed in Newcastle. Mark Knopfler and his brother David came from Newcastle but formed the band with John Illsley and Pick Withers in Deptford London.
That's Sting from The Police singing "I want my MTV." The song is about everyday working stiffs envying the easy and lucrative life of a rock star.
The version on Live Aid is the bomb!!!! Stings vocals are top drawer.
The song has clearly been edited for modern "sensibilities".
Should be “sensitivities” 😂
@@13chigrl Same thing.
sensibility -
synonyms:
sensitivity · sensitiveness · finer feelings · delicacy · subtlety · taste · [More]
(sensibilities)
a quality of delicate sensitivity that makes one liable to be offended or shocked.
"the scale of the poverty revealed by the survey shocked people's sensibilities"
@@politenessman3901 really didn’t need the lesson, but.... thanks.
The lyrics were written by Mark Knopfler the main guitarist and singer.He was in an appliance store in New York shopping when he heard an employee who was watching one of the TVs on the wall.
It was showing a group on MTV. The employee started to complain that those guys on TV don't really work! Mark heard the complaints and wrote the hit song Money for Nothing.
Watch the official video for this song...it's a must
thumbs up for Asia's smile, BJ your a lucky lucky man!!
Read Karl Haakonsen's comment below. His description is what is known to be the origination of the song. The band was talking about people who make fun of rock stars, thinking they don't really work hard for their fortune and fame.
Mark and Sting, a perfect combination. Awsome.🎸🎸🎸❤️❤️
Awesome guitar riff on the intro, MTV days, good review yeah 🤘😆👍🎤🎸🥁
I shoulda learned how to play the guitar senseless song withva tough groove thanx
You should watch the official video, that was half of it….. Happy New Years u2!!
Hi . Please react to Dire straits" On every street" live it's an amazing song
Great song dope reaction i was jamming along to the music
I WANT MY MTV was one of the biggest slogans of the 80s - PEACE LOVE n HIPPYNESS ✌☮
Knopfler and Sting wrote the song while in a store in New York. This is stuff the delivery guys were saying while watching MTV. They were talking about musicians making money for nothing while they were busting their asses moving refrigerators. And their chicks were free. Good work if you can get it.
That was written about a Maintenance Man that came to fix their Fridge. Those were the actual words the guy was saying while he was working. They had “M-TV” on He is talking about Rockers just play music, & get the “Chicks” (think groupies) for free. You can fact check me on this!!
Such a groove! Mark Knopfler is a remarkable songwriter/singer/guitarist. Backing vocals by Sting. They removed the "f" word but artists (and reactors) use the "F" word and get posted.
Hey , You two , I wish you a good 2022 for you and your family . Bye
Sting wanted his MTV to the tune of his then hit "Don't Stand So Close To Me!"
You guys too cool. Openness and honesty.
I can't believe they deleted those lyrics
Y’all are great. I watch y’all all the time. Thanks for the reactions. 🙌🏼👍🏼😊
Has anyone mentioned that it's Sting (from The Police) singing the high harmony on this?
You didn't hear the entire song due to censorship. It's 2021. Someone might get their feelz hurt and be scarred for life.
Need to check out Tunnel of Love my fav, Telegraph Road, Private Investigations, Romeo and Juliet, Brothers in Arms off this Album of Money for nothing, def have to see the video versions.
You still need to go hear every cut on their first album! It wasn't their biggest, but arguably their best! 'Wild West End' is my song off that album. 😁
Back in the day(1985 when this song came out), there was this channel called MTV that was extremely popular. Probably, no one born after 1997 knows what the hell MTV is now. lol.
The censorship was wrong. Growing up in the '70s we used the word "faggot" not as a form of discrimination against a group of people. It was our way of saying cuss words without saying cuss words. Fifty years later I would just say "Screw you bitch" instead of "Screw you faggot". Now I'm not saying that calling someone a bitch or faggot is right. It's just me thinking back to my youth and asking myself what I meant when I said it. It wasn't homophobic for me but I'm sure someone took it that way. People and times change.
My take on it is that he's singing about workers thinking of musicians like they aren't working but only getting money for free, maybe with some blisters on their fingers from playing the guitar. While they are moving refrigerators and color tv's.
I highly recommend checking out the extended/long version with the killer intro.
Love that song!
Good job you guys awsome tune you 2 are awsome
Happy New Year!
Hi Guys , the group always claimed the song said get your cheques for free and the part that was censored was taking the piss out of musicians i.e themselves !! : ) A major hit from a absolutely major group : )
make me pround that i come the the United Kingdom... we have produced some of the best music in the World and we have certainly influenced it as dire Straits Displays so well in this totally awsome 80's tune...
Check out the official music video, was a pretty funny story in itself. Love the song. They got Sting singing backup on the track as well!
☆LONG LIVE THE 80'S☆
The video shows what it was all about. Dire Straits were a huge hit with the early launch of MTV. This video you watched was obviously edited cause of the words used in that "quiet" passage. Great band. I saw them live a couple of times back in the 80's. Cheers.
That was in the olden times, when MTV actually played Music Videos.
It was MTV'S first ever music video 🎸🥁🎤📺
The song was about appliance delivery and installers who wished they had learned to play guitars or drums so they wouldn't have to be installing appliances and could be playing on MTV instead and getting money for nothing and chicks for free. You also really missed out by not playing the official video.
This was one of the songs that made the band huge!
The original MTV video makes it make sense.