All That Money Wants

Album: All Of This And Nothing (1988)
Charted: 75
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This screed against the evils of materialism and the lure of the almighty dollar came at a time when the band had reached a breaking point. In 1987, they released their fifth album, Midnight To Midnight, but felt they made some musical compromises to appease their record company. When they went on tour that year, lead singer Richard Butler felt like a puppet, part of a stage show that wasn't authentic. He developed a heart condition from the stress and put an end to the cycle of album releases and touring.

    To get new product out, the band released a compilation album in 1988 called All Of This And Nothing. "All That Money Wants" was the only new song included on the set. Released as a single, it became The Psychedelic Furs' first #1 on the Modern Rock chart.

    Butler almost called an end to the band at this point, but his bandmates convinced him to record another album so Midnight To Midnight wouldn't be their legacy. They ended up doing two more albums before calling it quits in 1991. The band re-formed in 2000, but didn't put out another album until Made Of Rain in 2020.
  • The band was down to trio when they recorded this song. Every member - guitarist John Ashton, bass player Tim Butler, and singer Richard Butler - is credited as a writer.
  • Directed by Walter Pitt, the black-and-white video is free from bling, showing the band members enjoying some time in nature.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.