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

Money For Nothing by Indecent Screaming April 4, 2013

money-for-nothing 

The real purpose of the covid stimulus cheques.

The biden administration giving people more money in covid stimulus than they can earn while working is nothing more than a money-for-nothing scheme

money-for-nothing by Uncle Dimma April 23, 2021

money for nothing and your chicks for free 

A line from the song Money for Nothing by Dire Straits. Used by Cole Hutto

money for nothing and your chicks for free

money for nothing and your chicks for free by Cds January 17, 2004

The 'Money for nothing' effect 

If the hit song 'Money for nothing' by prolific rock group Dire Straits is played at a function, event or gathering, guests are required to shotgun a beverage before the intro of the song concludes. If no cans are available, guests must finish the remainder of their current drink in a timely manner.

The 'Money for nothing' effect
noun
1. A Phenomenon caused when the song 'Money for Nothing' by Dire Straits is played at a gathering and results in guests finishing their beverage and/or shotgunning a full can of beverage.

Example:
*intro of Money for Nothing plays in the background at a function*
GUEST 1: "oh shit, it's the Money for Nothing Effect."
GUEST 2: *Pierces a fresh tin of lager with a car key and prepares to shotgun the beverage*
GUEST 1: "Make sure to wait for the guitar riff to come in!"

The 'Money for nothing' effect by Downtempo Dan August 23, 2023