Popular music has always had a special relationship with the world of finance. The success of a hit record is measured in financial terms. And critics of the genre have often argued that pop music’s purveyors are motivated solely by a quest for financial — rather than artistic — success.

Many songwriters have allowed financial matters to seep into their subject matter. For example, singer Jessie J tackles the issue in her current hit “Price Tag,” arguing that making “the world dance” is more important than financial matters.

Here are five songs about money, as selected by Casual Friday. While these tunes may offer what we in the practice-management business call “key takeaways,” we do not recommend that you include them in your office sound-system playlist.

1. “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1959)
Artist: Barrett Strong
Originally a rhythm-and-blues song performed by Barrett Strong, “Money” was the first hit record for the Motown label. It was most famously covered by the Beatles, in 1963, and no fewer than 48 other artists over the years, including the B-52s, Roy Orbison and most recently Bruno Mars, proving the timelessness of the theme. (The original is still by far the best, by the way.)
Sample lyrics: “The best things in life are free
But you can keep ’em for the birds and bees
Now give me money, (that’s what I want) …”
Lesson for advisors: While clients value the deep relationships they have with you, it means nothing if you don’t protect their assets.

2. “Money” (1973)
Artist: Pink Floyd
One of the most popular tracks from the British art rockers’ Dark Side of the Moon album, “Money” was a satire on bourgeois materialism aimed at post-Woodstock idealists (now your “boomer” clients).
Sample lyrics: “Money
Well, get back
I’m all right Jack
Keep your hands off of my stack…”
Lesson for advisors: Your clients’ money is important to them.

3. “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time” (1950)
Artist: Lefty Frizzell
A top-10 country and western hit, Lefty Frizzell’s debut single is an invitation by the narrator to enjoy activities for which his prospective accomplice would be expected to pay.
Sample lyrics: “If you’ve got the money, I’ve got the time
We’ll go honky tonkin’ and we’ll have a time
We’ll make all the night spots, dance, drink beer and wine.
If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time…”
Lesson for advisors: You should educate your clients about fraud prevention.

4. “Money for Nothing” (1985)
Artist: Dire Straits
Frontman Mark Knopfler says he wrote the song from the point of view of a disgruntled custom kitchen installer he heard making harsh comments about the easy life of rock stars compared to his own.
Sample lyrics: “We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries.
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs…”
Lesson for advisors: While some clients enjoy inherited wealth, others earn their money through honest toil.

5. “Mo Money Mo Problems” (1997)
Artist: Notorious B.I.G.
The rapper laments the problem he faces when his less affluent friends learn of his financial success.
Sample lyrics: “I don’t know what they want from me
It’s like the more money we come across
The more problems we see…”
Lesson for advisors: Some of your high net-worth clients may feel burdened by the responsibilities of possessing significant financial assets.

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