Talk:Money for Nothing (song)

Sprechstimme?
The article currently contains the following unsourced assertion: "To achieve the effect of such a layman making such casual everyday commentary, Dire Straits' lead singer and songwriter Mark Knopfler used a vocal style known as Sprechstimme." While the vocal style employed in the song may evoke a "layman" to the ears of some, it is quite doubtful knopfler intentionally employed "Sprechstimme" for such a reason...after all, he is quite well known for *always* delivering his lyrics in his distinguishing and recognisable half-sung, half-spoken style. I believe this assertion should be removed if it cannot be corroborated by first-hand sourcing...it smacks of opinion. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.68.72.108 (talk) 22:48, 4 May 2010 (UTC)
 * He's using a more narrow tone range and less rhythmic variation thah he normally does, but you may be right that thers isn't much of a difference in kind. Btw I think he's underrated when it comes ot using prosodic means to dramatize something and evoke a voice. many people assume he's just koping along with his voice in a sedate style, but if you listen to what he does you can tell he's suggesting manners of speaking, highlighting words and bringing out the ironic aspects of his lyrics: it's rather obvious, but subrle, on e.g. Communique where most of the lyrics are in some sense about men and their ways - understated, Hemingwayesque stories - and that's brought out by his use of pauses, tone and phrasing. Strausszek (talk) 18:01, 26 May 2010 (UTC)

About the second verse
The article says the second verse was deleted in the "Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits" compilation released in 1998. I listen to Money for Nothing on the Money for Nothing  compilation released in 1988 and the second verse is also absent! These two versions are probably not the only ones in which the second verse has been deleted. --CutterX 13:03, 7 February 2006 (UTC)

The article also says the second verse (the "little faggot" verse, correct?) was omitted on the 7-inch single. Not true -- not in America, it wasn't. The US commercial 45 had the second verse. I'm not sure when the omitted verse first made its appearance -- whether it was a radio edit, or something done later, I'm not sure. --superbu


 * It was a radio edit at the time of release. Some stations played it, some didn't. I'm not sure whether it was available as a proper single.  Pr oh ib it O ni o n s   (T) 11:40, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

The U.S. commercial 45 (Warner Bros. 7-28950, with a live version of "Love Over Gold" on the flip side) indeed contains the second verse. (Indeed, when the song was popular, I almost always heard this verse on the radio.) On the label, it is listed as "(Long Edit)" with a time of 4:38. The promotional 45 (also on Warner Bros. 7-28950) contains the "(Long Edit)" on one side and the "(Edit)" on the other, which has a time of 4:05 and has the second verse edited out. Also, there was a promotional 12-inch single (Warner Bros. PRO-A-2328, 1985) that contains three versions of "Money for Nothing": Side A: Long Edit 4:38; Edit 4:05; Side B: LP Version 7:04. Cheemo 31 Oct 2006

Further Information About The Video
Would it be possible to include some details about the actors included in the video?

If memory serves, the "little faggot with the earring and the make-up" is/was an actual pop performer overseas and was unaware of the context his performance was to be used. The "look at that momma, she's got it" girl, again as far as I can remember, was hoping for a more racey filming, possibly with some nudity. I cannot confirm these items as they are strictly from memory of about the time of innitial release and will provided any info I can find, but if anyone else can confirm or deny these points I would appreciate it.--RedKnight 16:01, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

The two videos shown are First Floor's "Baby Baby" (from Magyar Records' "Turn Left" LP), and the Ian Pearson Band's "Sally" (off Rush Records' "Hot Dogs" album) 16:51, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

The "little faggot with the earring and the make-up" IS actually a Hungarian (Magyar) performer. First Floor, or rather its Hungarian rendition, Első Emelet (literally "first floor"), was an actual Hungarian pop act in the 80s that had several #1 hits in Hungary. Kiki, as the singer of the band was known, certainly had no idea how his performance was to be used. The "hot mama" is also a Hungarian girl, because the historic looking building within which she is adjusting her stocking is actually the Fisherman's Bastion, part of the Hungarian Royal Castle in the Buda hills of Budapest. This stuff can all be verified, I just can't be bothered to do it right now.

There was a lengthy description of the video on the main page, explaining all these details, apparently it's been removed... Why? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.219.31.243 (talk) 14:33, 30 December 2014 (UTC)


 * Here is the same hotel where the part with the First Floor band was filmed: [] It's situated in Budapest, the Congress Novotel Hotel. Here is another image when the band is on the roof: []. Notice that the walls that used to be brown are now yellow. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 37.74.56.174 (talk) 13:54, 27 September 2015 (UTC)


 * I'd assume it might have something to do with the "This stuff can all be verified, I just can't be bothered to do it right now." part of that comment above. If no one bothered to verify it, anyone can (and probably did) remove it. If you dig through the article's history, you will be able to find what used to be there and when it was removed. - Sum mer PhD  (talk) 22:53, 30 December 2014 (UTC)

The link to the real band's video (Front Street) is at Első Emelet under their Hungarian name. Response to the usage of the band's video can be fond at The actress in the made up video is Renáta Szatler. I'll leave it to other to decide to put these links in.

Infobox
I've just been adding the infobox and I've been having some difficulty with such fields as the chronology. Was Walk of Life indeed the next single, or was it Brothers in Arms? Andrew Spinner 09:06, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
 * In the US, at least, the next single was indeed "Walk of Life". Cheemo 04:37, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

I am the original composer of "Money for Nothing" in the sense that I am the actual person who first sang the song while Mark Knopfler wrote it. I have not seen him since he wrote the song down and we discussed details of what it should be. I am currently seeking to contact Mark Knopfler, or anyone who can help me contact Mark. Will Lucas Camarillo CA July 11, 2006. Please reply here:

Is the genre of the song really Roots Rock. I hear that in some of their other songs, but this one is most likely not Roots Rock. Should that be taken out of the info box? Adam DeLand May 14, 2012. —Preceding undated comment added 05:08, 14 May 2012 (UTC).

Background vocals
Who sang the harmonies in the "microwave oven" sections? The article states that Sting only sang the "I want my MTV" part, but I could swear it's Sting singing along with Knopfler through the rest of the song. 4.237.202.106 12:54, 10 August 2006 (UTC)


 * It's possible that when Sting said his only "contribution" was the "I want my MTV" part he meant with respect to writing credits. The bit about his being embarrassed by the co-writing credit would seem to support this theory. --Dante Alighieri | Talk 00:16, 15 February 2007 (UTC)


 * From what I remember, Sting sang the "microwave ovens" line at Live Aid. I'm guessing therefore that what Dante Alighieri said above is correct. This is only from memory, mind.


 * Sting does sing various backing vocal sections. In the later section he sings both "money for nothing" and "I want my MTV" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.193.125.57 (talk) 01:00, 4 April 2011 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Moneyfornothing.jpg
Image:Moneyfornothing.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 23:54, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

Controversy section
I just noticed that in the controversy section, there's an allegation that Mark Knopfler assaulted a "black man". I'm pretty sure this is a new edit, but it has no citations. Since its quite contentious, I'm gonna get rid of it if no-one can find me a citation within a couple of days. Anyone got a justification for keeping it, like a source? Hagger 07:50, 3 September 2007 (UTC)
 * A quick google search for "Mark Knopfler Racism" has this article at the top of the list, and no other related sites. I'm getting rid of this now, if anyone wants to dispute it they can post here on the talk page. Controversial allegations need a reliable source, otherwise they could result in a lawsuit, which isn't good. Hagger 19:39, 4 September 2007 (UTC)
 * Hagger? Mike R (talk) 21:16, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

Controversial tagline? Or not?
Listening carefully to the chorus from the Brothers in Arms version, the tagline sounds more like "CHECKS for free." This makes sense as the lead character in the story (probably intentionally) sounds North American, and this is a standard USA expression for salary or wages. The first time this is sung it is uncertain whether the vowel is "e" or "i" but in later choruses there is no doubt, it is an "e" -in which case there is no chauvinism (or reference to prostitution) involved in this line. Many of the lyrics sites seem to have got this wrong. Perhaps a case of the mind of the listener hearing what it wants to hear rather than what is actually sung. 

--Anteaus (talk) 21:33, 15 September 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm happy, that someone is making that point. Is there some official lyrics to refer to or do we have to ask Mark Knopfler? 2003:EC:9F13:DA00:5012:89AC:82ED:A5EE (talk) 15:48, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

I want my MPG
It says that the song was used for I want my MPG commercials for Honda. I could have sworn they were Toyota commercials not Honda. Can anyone confirm this? 69.84.4.146 (talk) 22:34, 21 January 2009

I have changed the word Honda to Toyota in the "References in Pop Culture" section 69.84.4.146 (talk) 19:24, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

First or Second Computer-Generated Video?
The article says that the video for this song "was the second computer-generated music video shown on MTV." Some online sources say the same, but others say that it was the first CGI music video, not the second. I can't find anything in the citations for the Music Video section that say whether it was the first or second. Do we know for sure which it was (and have credible sources to back it up)? If it was the second, what was the first? kane2742 (talk) 14:13, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

MFN Should be First computer-generated video
Maybe The Cars used a lot of computer effects in their 1984 video clip for You Might Think, but that was mostly 2D animation. Money for Nothing was the first video clip to use 3D animation extensively. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.13.253.250 (talk) 12:32, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Guitar played in two tracks
I don't know, if it matters, but if you listen to mfn closely you will notice that Knopfler played his riff in two tracks. They are mixed 90%-100% on left and right channel. Due to that, it gives the riff the "sharpness", because they are (on purpose) differently played and contain partly other melodies! You will be surprised, if you hear the song with that knowing. It is easier to put on your headphones... Have fun! --09:34, 26 July 2009 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.23.151.210 (talk)

I completely agree. GrandTheftFreak (talk) 11:39, 27 February 2011 (UTC)

Yep, also his playing has a lot of subtle, dissonant textures and sounds rather filtered (a very "dry" tone, with next to no natural reverb, and of course no jangling). They must have edited out some of the overtones. Gives it a machine-drill-like quality. Strausszek (talk) 19:24, 17 September 2016 (UTC)

Binary code at the top of the video screen
I am new to wiki eidting and may not have followed proper procedure to add a comment in the main article. I think this may be quite an important part of the knowledge base for this video. It is really a question, and challenge to others to find out what the code represents, and if it can be decoded by anyone, and if it has been decoded. It is, as I mention, binary coded decimal, or BCD. usually it is found in the video data stream, in the VBI, and isnt visable. In this video, it has been made visable, by lowering it into the top of the picture, almost as a challenge to anyone to decode. I am surprised it has not become apparent to anyone in all these years since its release.

If you know of a better way, or want to edit/delete my entry in the main article, please go ahead, maybe rephrasing it somehow? I think it is important to allow a majority to see this mentioned, if we all ever have a chance to have it decoded by some technical expert, software coder? decoder? thanks,tony 218.101.88.81 (talk) 10:53, 8 December 2010 (UTC)

find the video on youtube & right-click on it when you see this code, then paste the link (which should have "t= ***s" at the end, where *** is how many seconds into the video you were). thing is, I've just watched it & all I can see is some aliasing on slightly under-blanked edges where they've matted real footage into the CGI. no timecode, nothing like that. I am a broadcast engineer. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.147.3.5 (talk) 00:56, 28 September 2019(UTC)


 * Just failure to respect the overscan safe zone, or willful attempt to be gritty. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:6ae5:2510::24 (talk)

Mark Knopfler's Style.
It says that he used a wah pedal to get his ZZ Top inspired sound. I don't think this is accurate, as Mark played claw-hammer style, which, combined with how he played that intro, would have resulted in this sound. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.55.254.225 (talk) 03:39, 26 October 2012 (UTC)

Sting's writing credit
From the current revision: "The songwriting credits are shared between Mark Knopfler and Sting. Sting was visiting Montserrat during the recording of the song, and was invited to add some background vocals. Sting has stated that his only compositional contribution was the "I want my MTV" line, which followed the melody from his song "Don't Stand So Close to Me"."

First of all, there is no citation here. For a related matter that I am researching, I would very much like to know WHEN this songwriting credit was granted. I have a very early (most likely late 1986) USA copy of Brothers in Arms that does not list Sting in the songwriting credits, and so when the album and song were first released he was not credited.76.97.76.83 (talk) 17:42, 22 January 2014 (UTC)

Nikki Sixx quote
I propose we remove it, as without Knopfler confirming he was watching Sixx's band in the appliance store in which the tune was written, it's useless information. Jus da  fax   10:22, 13 June 2015 (UTC)

Cite template style
As per discussion at WT:MOS, both horizontal and vertical citation template styles are acceptable. If consistency is required, editors should observe WP:RETAIN, choosing to make all such templates follow a consistent style: that of the first editor to use such a template. In this case, it was a vertical format, as per this edit. Please refrain from edit-warring over such details in future. If there is any dispute, check which was the first use of a template format and follow that style throughout. --Pete (talk) 06:59, 8 February 2016 (UTC)

genre type
iTunes classifies Money for Nothing as a rock song. This song has some aspects of rock to it and it is a broad genre also. Can I add this in? Does everyone approve of this? Yasinator360 (talk • contribs) 23:57, 3 May 2016 (UTC)
 * iTunes is not a reliable source. Synthwave.94 (talk) 01:05, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

genre type (again)
found a reliable source for genre type: new wave — Preceding unsigned comment added by Yasinator360 (talk • contribs) 21:15, 6 May 2016 (UTC)
 * YouTube is not a reliable source either. Synthwave.94 (talk) 02:03, 7 May 2016 (UTC)

Mötley Crüe
The source is an interview with Nikki Sixx: "Dire Straits’s 'Money for Nothing' was about Mötley Crüe — 'Money for nothing and the chicks for free … that little faggot got his own jet airplane.' They were in a store that sells televisions, and there was a row of TVs all playing Mötley Crüe — and that’s where it came from. Isn’t that great?'"

Thus "Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx said that the song was about his band..."

Not "Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, in misinterpreting the lyrics as coming directly from Dire Straits rather than a character based on a store employee, claimed that the song was about his band..."

The source does not say Sixx "misinterpret(ed)" the lyrics or put the words incorrectly in Dire Straits' mouths. No one really "claims" much of anything. He "said" it. - Sum mer PhD v2.0 22:26, 22 June 2017 (UTC)


 * That source doesn't, but the second source, which bolsters the points made in the first, says, "In 2007, Mötley Crüe bass player Nikki Sixx claimed that Money for Nothing was about his band’s outrageous lifestyle. He said had been told that the videos the man was grumbling about was theirs." There's also a podcast where a music critic points out the very same thing and states that Sixx is dead wrong, but I wasn't sure how to cite that. Rockypedia (talk) 01:01, 23 June 2017 (UTC)


 * Huh. I somehow missed that source entirely. That said, I don't think it changes anything. The "misinterpreted" version seems to be saying Sixx thought the song had Dire Straits sayng it. The source, however, says, "...the videos the man was grumbling about...". That sounds like he's getting that the grumbling is not Dire Straits, but a character in the song. Further, given that they seem to be referring to the same interview, I don't see how they would get anythiThng different out of that. As for the podcast, I haven't heard it. Assuming they're reading the same interview (?) I don't know how they would be wringing anything else out of it. - Sum mer PhD v2.0 02:57, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Pretty sure I can find that podcast again. Is that citable? Rockypedia (talk) 17:11, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
 * If it's a reliable source, you can cite it using Template:Cite_podcast. Of course that will now give us two conflicting interpretations of the same interview... - Sum mer PhD v2.0 22:59, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
 * I'm sure that can be worked out to everyone's satisfaction. I'll try to find it. Rockypedia (talk) 03:40, 24 June 2017 (UTC)

Timeline problem
We have two instances of interviews from 1984 being cited wherein Knopfler is talking about the creation of the song - one of which is even referring to the controversy over the lyrics - but the song wasn't released until the spring of 1985. So, like - huh? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.224.73.237 (talk) 22:21, 22 July 2017 (UTC)


 * Following the link for the source, we had the date wrong. The interview was from Rolling Stone dated 21 November 1985, not 1984. I fixed the dates in the article. - Sum mer PhD v2.0 04:43, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

Who is the Chic in the Video
Woman in video is not listed in the article as far as I can tell — Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.77.225.24 (talk) 03:28, 21 September 2017 (UTC)

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Genre.
I have found the following source which ordains "Money for Nothing" an example of hard-rock music: https://whatculture.com/music/10-best-music-videos-of-the-1980s?page=7 The quote itself illustrates the song to be a "... ZZ-top indebted hard-rocker from fifth album...". Indeed, WhatCulture occurs abundantly as a source on Wikipedia, and I have already included the quote and ranking within the source on the page. However, since genres are permitted only with consensus from the talk-page, I have decided to make note of this here before I add "hard rock" to the infobox. If nobody objects within a short timeframe, I will move ahead with the changes. JoeyofScotia (talk) 14:46, 1 June 2020 (UTC)


 * This one article cannot 'ordain' anything, it's simply a comment from one journalist out of about 800 million people who've heard the song. It's not hard rock, not remotely. It's a synthesiser-laden track with a quirky guitar sound. Let's leave the article without misleading claims of hard rock. ToaneeM (talk) 11:24, 15 January 2023 (UTC)

Sound Clip in Article
Is it really necessary to use this File:Dire_Straits_-_Money_for_Nothing.ogg as the sound clip for this article? Seems highly coincidental that of all the clips you could make and use for this song, we have to use one that captures all three uses of the word "faggot" in the song. BUZZLIGHTYEAR99 (talk) 02:43, 16 October 2022 (UTC)