Skip to main content

Money For Nothing

Song by the British rock band Dire Straits. Famous for it's groundbreaking (at the time) music video, which used 3D animation - the first ever in any music video.

The song is about the music industry, and specifically about MTV being an easy way for people to make money. It's been sugested that Mark Knopfler (lead singer of Dire Straits) was unhappy that people could become famous and rich just by having a music video on MTV. A number of words in the lyrics used have been inferred as being directed at artists of the time.

As for the references to 'having to shift these microwave ovens', this was to do with the fact that Knopfler got the inspiration for the lyrics while in an appliance store. The TVs in the store were showing MTV. The shop assistant was quoted as saying that 'that ain't working', which is later used in the song.

The song features one of the best guitar riffs of all time, and is easily one of the best songs of the 80's (it was released in 1985). The song also features a cameo from lead singer of The Police, Sting. Sting sang the words 'I want my MTV' to the melody of 'Don't stand so close to me' (by The Police), and it can be heard at the start and end of the song.

Rolling Stone magazine state it as being the 94th greatest rock song of all time, along with a number of other songs by Dire Straits. Dire Straits are recognized as one of the best rock bands of all time, notable for songs such as 'Sultans of Swing' and 'Brothers in Arms'.
You play the guitar on the MTV
That aint workin', that's the way you do it
Money for nothing and chicks for free
by Indecent Screaming April 4, 2013
mugGet the Money For Nothing mug.

Don't get your honey where you get your money.

Don't get into inter-office relationships. Do not romance a co-worker. Don't get your loving where you get your paycheck. Leave your private and personal life private.
Man: "I'm going to ask my new secretary out."
Friend: "Don't get your honey where you get your money."
by Wendy Dailey March 23, 2007
mugGet the Don't get your honey where you get your money. mug.
Related Words

money zombie

A 'money zombie' is a person who exists and lusts for 'money' --- they are severely intellectually stunted and emotionally dead.

A 'money zombie' is a person who only predominantly considers society from economic and monetary perspectives, and they lack empathy.

A 'money zombie' is so cognitively impaired that they cannot meaningfully appreciate society from emotional, natural, physical or any other perspectives, and they always need more money and more stuff to exist --- they are not content unless they are earning, profiting or consuming. They will never experience or know true happiness, love or joy.

A 'money zombie' always need more MONEY and more STUFF, and if this greed drive ever stopped, they might actually come back to real life.
1) Today was Black Friday Sale Day in the USA, and the 'money zombies' were out in full force; and, they actually killed a Wal-mart employee.
2) You can go to Wal-mart and observe the 'money zombies' who are stuffing their faces and carts, with stuff they don't need using credit.
3) 'Money zombies' have existed since 'money' --- "Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing." (early 1900's quote)
4) If the 'money zombies' numbers keep growing there may be an economic zombie apocalypse.
by GlennyJ November 30, 2013
mugGet the money zombie mug.

money doesn’t talk, it swears

A subjective evaluation of the truth about money which is that it maintains violence, social aggression, deprivation of many, and mass cruelty.
Bob Dylan coined the poetic line, “money doesn’t talk, it swears,” in his iconic song, “It’s Alright, Ma.”
by Dr Bunnygirl July 5, 2020
mugGet the money doesn’t talk, it swears mug.

Knowledge is power is time is money

A well-known quote by Rikkard Ambrose, a character from series of books Storm and Silence by Robert Thier.
by spiffing_excellence May 7, 2021
mugGet the Knowledge is power is time is money mug.

fuck you money

The exact amount of money required in order to tell an individual or organization to go fuck themselves without facing repercussions.
When I grow up I want to be a shitposter on the internet with 'fuck you money' like Notch.
by Phelen February 27, 2017
mugGet the fuck you money mug.

big money prizes

Prizes that are big money
I flipped a jack up when I dealt for euchre... big money prizes.
by 81stCoptic’ June 15, 2018
mugGet the big money prizes mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email