If In Money We Trust

Album: Born To Sing: No Plan B (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Van painting a picture of idolatry as he meditates about the all-encompassing power of money and the ways in which cash has replaced God at the centre of the modern belief system. Said Morrison: "That came from looking at a dollar bill and turning the concept on its head. I thought, 'what is this stuff on here, what does it mean?' Some people's God is money – we've discovered that about a lot of people recently. So then what happens after that? What happens if you don't have it, or if you don't have enough?"
  • This is one of several tracks on Born To Sing: No Plan B where Morrison references global economic woes. He explained to Mojo magazine: "That's because that stuff is being promoted all the time. Turn on the radio or TV and they're going on about money all the time. There never used to be this obsession with money, it's very strange. Well, not strange for them, but strange for me. I'm from a working class background and I don't have this obsession with money, money, money. I was always taught that all you need is enough, but now there's this obsession with greed, people want more and more and more. I don't know why. Money's not gonna save you."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.