Who's behind the notes? Discover Dire Straits: The British Rock Legends
"Money for Nothing" is a classic rock song by the British rock band Dire Straits. Here are some interesting facts about the song:
Album Release: "Money for Nothing" was released as a single and as part of the album "Brothers in Arms" in 1985. The album became one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s.
Music Video Pioneering: The song's music video is notable for being one of the first to use computer-generated animation. The video was groundbreaking at the time and helped boost the song's popularity.
Vocal Guest Appearance: The distinctive vocals in the song's chorus, including the iconic line "I want my MTV," were performed by Sting, the lead singer of The Police. His collaboration with Dire Straits added a unique touch to the song.
Critically Acclaimed: "Money for Nothing" received critical acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1986. It also won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.
Controversy: The song's lyrics have faced criticism for using derogatory language and stereotypes. This led to some radio stations editing or censoring parts of the song for broadcast.
Commercial Success: The song's success helped propel the "Brothers in Arms" album to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history.
Cultural Impact: "Money for Nothing" became an anthem of the 1980s and is still widely recognized and played on classic rock radio stations today.
Guitar Riff: The iconic guitar riff at the beginning of the song, played by Mark Knopfler, is instantly recognizable and is one of the most famous guitar intros in rock music.
"Money for Nothing" is not only one of Dire Straits' most famous songs but also a significant milestone in the history of rock music due to its innovative music video and enduring popularity.