MONEY

'Money' - Pink Floyd (Single)

Before even getting into the single itself, let me say that while it might not be my personally most enjoyed album, I consider it to be one of the few 'perfect' albums ever made. Unlike alot of albums that have effects in them that are generally hit-and-miss, everything in 'Dark Side' sounded like it fit in exactly the way that Waters, Gilmour and company wanted it to. Keeping that in mind, it should be no suprise I'm a fan of the hit single it spawned.

'Money' is a song that's since become a trademark of it's own. It also stands out to me as being the one song in 'Dark Side Of The Moon' that seemed to break the really chilled, spacy atmosphere of the album. Compared to the rest of it, 'Money' is pretty bloody intense. Distorted guitars, a bluesy solo, and a saxophone section that would tear strips of paint off a wall are all here. That, added with one of the most memorable introductions in music history (the cash register chimes) and some intelligent, satirical lyrics make one of the best songs in Floyds' career, and one of the highlights of the album.

The second sampling here 'Any Colour You Like' on the other hand, is one of the most spacy tracks on the record. It is essentially Rick Wright's (keyboardist) time to shine, and he tears up the keyboard with an amazing solo.

Pretty much, an excellent sampling of an absolutely superb album. I would say get this without a doubt, but the album has so much more great music and a flow that could make an infant weep.

Dark side of the single

Dark Side of the Moon is hailed in virtually every rock circle as one of the greatest rock albums in music history, and understandably. The album is essentially perfect, with every aspect of the album fitting together in a wonderfully perfect way. The album shot up the charts and stayed there for an unprecedented 741 weeks. However, this isn't the album, is it? This is a single, a re-release of one of the more popular tracks off the album, Money. Oddly, this single was released after the actual album was released. Of course, these tracks (Any Colour You Like is the B-side) are spectacular, able to hold their own without the support of the rest of the album, but overall these two tracks are infinitely better with the ebb and flow of the music of the full length there to exacerbate the beauty of Pink Floyd's psychedelic mastery.

I can't help but assume this single was released to milk more money out of Floyd's massively successful album sales, as well as to get more radios to play the music. Although this is normal capitalistic measures, I find it hugely ironic that they chose the song "Money" as the single, a song whose concept revolves around greed. To promote anti-greed, they need to be greedy. Funny.

Overall, however, these tracks are obviously good. They come off one of the best albums in music history, and although they are missing from their natural habitat, they are decent alone. 3 stars.

Money!

Nobody can deny the importance that an album like Dark Side of the Moon has had in the history of progressive rock, and rock in general. One of the most iconic records ever released, and in my book one of the most especial and greatest ever, an album I know from start to end and an album I truly love for several reasons. But well, I am not reviewing the album itself, but a single taken from it.

Money is also one of the most popular Pink Floyd tracks ever, with an unforgettable bass line, great lyrics, awesome guitar solos that round up a wonderful song. The success of the album goes together with the success of this particular song, which is loved and listened by a high amount of people from all around the globe. That is why a single like this had such a successful moment.

What I also liked was the inclusion of "Any Colour You Like" as the B-side, because that is not that representative of the band, nor the album itself. However it was a very cool decision. Though I love it, I use to rate singles with two stars, because if somebody owns them is because they are fans, so go figure.

Enjoy it!

If you pull this single out of a bargain box at some flea market count yourself lucky. This is a treasure that is rarely seen these days. A single fro the greatest PF album and one of the icons of prog has to be adored. It features the incredible Money. Identical to the album, it begins with the ka-ching of cold hard cash, the root of all evil. This is my favourite track on the album with one of the best bass lines in rock history, and played in a 7/8 time signature. The riff is disconcerting, complex and Gilmour's jangly guitar splashes complement the bass perfectly. The lyrics speak of money as the corruptible force that causes the filthy rich to blow millions on cars, leer jets, football teams and diamonds. The lyrics are ironic with a dark, satirical nature, but the effects of money and its misuse have never been more eloquently stated. The lyrics were read out by the school Master to tease the little boy on "The Wall" movie. Of course these lyrics and the song provided millions for the band. The money corrupted Pink Floyd too, their beliefs and values, the very thing the song was protesting. The saxophone solo is utterly brilliant and the way the song changes time signature is inspirational.

On the flip side is another little gem, "Any Colour You Like", with wonderful shimmering Hammond and is itself a beautiful instrumental. The track was named based on Ford advertising campaign 'Ford's are available in any colour you like, as long as it's black.' The album's black cover with colour prism strips could be a reference. It is nice to see the miniature pyramid rainbow prism design for a change too.

See it, buy it without hesitation.

PINK FLOYD's "The Dark Side of the Moon" album is still relevant for many people, including myself. Despite being an album which was released in March 1973, the themes which this album has in the lyrics about "the problems that people face in every day 's modern life" are still very relevant. It is maybe their most accessible album, and some people might call it "commercial". Yes, it was and it has been a very successful album, but the album was very well planned and made, and the themes are really presented very well with lyrics written by Roger Waters. I still consider this album as PINK FLOYD's peak as a band and as a quartet. After this album and the success it had, the band had some problems thinking how to at least make another successful album like this. It brought to them a lot of money, but it also made them have some problems as a band as how to continue with their musical careers. All these problems started to show while making their next album, titled "Wish You Were Here", which also was successful. But as a band they started to have more personal conflicts between them, and also some financial problems. So, in the end a lot of success brought to them other problems.

"Money", with music and lyrics by Roger Waters, was released in the "A" Side of this single. The lyrics show the mixed feelings about money, with some humor and irony. Money brings success, a better status, but at the same time "is the root of all evil today", as the lyrics say. The song as a whole is funny in places, with lead guitar parts and a sax solo (which was edited out in the single edit version which was released in some countries), and a cash register loop recording being sometimes included in the background, sounding at the same rhythm to the music. One of the best songs that Waters composed for the band, and very well arranged and played as a band.

"Any Colour You Like", in the Side "B", is an instrumental musical piece composed by David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. With very good synthesiser solos played by Wright and several lead guitar parts played by Gilmour.

Both songs in this single really worked very well to help sell more LP copies of the album.