The late Hunter Thompson wrote, "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
Money and taxes have long been popular themes for rock stars who had too much of both. As you prepare to prepare your tax return, cue up some of these odes to having too little money, too many taxes, and not too much regard for The Man.
1. "Taxman" - The Beatles
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street;"Taxman" was one of three songs on the Beatles’ Revolver album that were written by George Harrison. Although most of us can’t relate to what inspired the song – the tax burden on people who earn too much money – we can relate to the underlying theme.
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat;
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat;
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.
2. "Movin' Out" - Billy Joel
You can pay Uncle Sam with overtimeDon't have a heart attack-ack-ack, but Billy Joel actually wrote "Movin’ Out" not to protest paying taxes, but to express disdain for the conventional definitions of success and achievement.
Is that all you get for your money?
3. "I'd Rather Be Rich" - Chicago
I'd rather be rich, the truth of cash is tragic,While Billy Joel decried success, Chicago seemed to embrace it with "I'd Rather Be Rich." Robert Lamm’s lyrics espoused the theory that everything’s okay if you have enough money.
The system's a bitch, but money works like magic
4. "Money Money Money" - ABBA
I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to payAt the time ABBA recorded "Money Money Money" in 1976, they had plenty plenty plenty of it. The song, however, deals with what it’s like to be poor “in a rich man’s world.”
Ain't it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
That's too bad
5. "Money" - Pink Floyd
Money, it’s a gas.Pink Floyd’s "Money" may not rate high on your financial planner's Top 10, but it’s great for getting psyched to file your tax return.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
6. "Low Budget" - The Kinks
I’m on a low budgetGiven the number of songs they recorded on the subject, one gets the idea that money was something of an obsession for the Kinks. "Low Budget" is about the difficulty of living within one’s means.
I’m not cheap, you understand
I’m just a cut price person in a low budget land
Excuse my shoes they don’t quite fit
They’re a special offer and they hurt me a bit
Even my trousers are giving me pain
They were reduced in a sale so I shouldn’t complain
7. "Sunny Afternoon" - The Kinks
The tax man’s taken all my dough,In the same vein as The Beatles’ "Taxman," the Kinks’ "Sunny Afternoon" deals with the money woes of the rich and famous.
And left me in my stately home,
Lazing on a sunny afternoon.
And I can’t sail my yacht,
He’s taken everything I’ve got,
All I’ve got’s this sunny afternoon.
8. "Success Story" - The Who
Away for the weekendJohn Entwistle’s "Success Story" took a jab at the Who’s success, and how it took the fun out of playing music.
I've gotta play some one-night stands
Six for the tax man, and one for the band
9. "Lap of Luxury" - Jethro Tull
The money won't last forever.The eternal quest for more than we have is the theme of Jethro Tull’s "Lap of Luxury."
Rent man called twice today.
I hope some day you'll find me
In the lap of luxury.
10. "Carnival World" - Jimmy Buffett
But talk is cheapLeave it to Jimmy Buffett to take a cynical view of the power of money. In "Carnival World" money is the root of everything BUT evil.
It takes money to buy your freedom
And the tax man's knockin' on your door
