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(gentle ethereal music) ♪ I want my MTV ♪ 00:01
(upbeat suspenseful music) 00:11
(spirited upbeat music) 00:34
(spirited upbeat music continues) 00:59
♪ Now look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it ♪ 01:03
♪ You play the guitar on the MTV ♪ 01:07
♪ That ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪ 01:10
♪ Money for nothin' and your chicks for free ♪ 01:14
♪ Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪ 01:18
♪ Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb ♪ 01:21
♪ Maybe get a blister on your little finger ♪ 01:24
♪ Maybe get a blister on your thumb ♪ 01:29
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪ 01:32
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪ 01:36
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪ 01:39
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪ 01:43
♪ Ow, the little faggot with the earring and the makeup ♪ 01:49
♪ Yeah, buddy, that's his own hair ♪ 01:54
♪ That little faggot got his own jet airplane ♪ 01:57
♪ That little faggot, he's a millionaire ♪ 02:00
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪ 02:04
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪ 02:08
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪ 02:11
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪ 02:15
(spirited upbeat music continues) 02:19
♪ Ooh, ah, move, ah ♪ 02:24
♪ Huh ♪ 02:29
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪ 02:36
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪ 02:40
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪ 02:43
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪ 02:47
♪ Lookee here, look it ♪ 02:52
♪ I shoulda learned to play the guitar ♪ 02:54
♪ I shoulda learned to play them drums ♪ 02:58
♪ Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the cameraman ♪ 03:01
♪ We could have some ♪ 03:06
♪ And he's up there, what's that, Hawaiian noises ♪ 03:08
♪ He's bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee ♪ 03:11
♪ Oh, that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪ 03:15
♪ Get your money for nothin', get your chicks for free ♪ 03:18
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪ 03:23
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪ 03:26
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪ 03:30
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪ 03:33
(spirited upbeat music continues) 03:40
♪ Ow, ooh, ow, ow ♪ 03:45
♪ Listen here ♪ 03:53
♪ Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪ 03:54
♪ You play the guitar on the MTV ♪ 03:58
♪ That ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪ 04:02
♪ Money for nothin' and your chicks for free ♪ 04:05
♪ Money for nothin', yeah ♪ 04:09
♪ And the chicks for free ♪ 04:12
♪ Get your money for nothin' ♪ ♪ What's that ♪ 04:16
♪ And your chicks for free ♪ 04:19
♪ Look at that, look at that ♪ 04:21
♪ Get your money for nothin' ♪ ♪ I want my ♪ 04:23
♪ I want my ♪ ♪ And the chicks for free ♪ 04:25
♪ I want my MTV ♪ 04:27
♪ Ah, money for nothin' ♪ ♪ I want my ♪ 04:30
♪ I want my ♪ ♪ And the chicks for free ♪ 04:33
♪ I want my MTV ♪ (spirited upbeat music fades) 04:35

Money For Nothing – English Lyrics

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By
Dire Straits
Album
Brothers in Arms
Viewed
133,889,248
Language
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Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant language of the 1980s with Dire Straits' iconic hit, "Money For Nothing." This song offers a unique linguistic window into colloquial English and expressions of cynicism, as it's famously based on actual overheard conversations. You can learn about character-driven storytelling in lyrics and how everyday speech can be transformed into compelling art. Its distinct guitar riff and pioneering computer-animated music video make it a special and culturally significant piece of rock history.

[English]
(gentle ethereal music) ♪ I want my MTV ♪
(upbeat suspenseful music)
(spirited upbeat music)
(spirited upbeat music continues)
♪ Now look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it ♪
♪ You play the guitar on the MTV ♪
♪ That ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪
♪ Money for nothin' and your chicks for free ♪
♪ Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪
♪ Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb ♪
♪ Maybe get a blister on your little finger ♪
♪ Maybe get a blister on your thumb ♪
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪
♪ Ow, the little faggot with the earring and the makeup ♪
♪ Yeah, buddy, that's his own hair ♪
♪ That little faggot got his own jet airplane ♪
♪ That little faggot, he's a millionaire ♪
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪
(spirited upbeat music continues)
♪ Ooh, ah, move, ah ♪
♪ Huh ♪
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪
♪ Lookee here, look it ♪
♪ I shoulda learned to play the guitar ♪
♪ I shoulda learned to play them drums ♪
♪ Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the cameraman ♪
♪ We could have some ♪
♪ And he's up there, what's that, Hawaiian noises ♪
♪ He's bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee ♪
♪ Oh, that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪
♪ Get your money for nothin', get your chicks for free ♪
♪ We got to install microwave ovens ♪
♪ Custom kitchen deliveries ♪
♪ We got to move these refrigerators ♪
♪ We got to move these color TVs ♪
(spirited upbeat music continues)
♪ Ow, ooh, ow, ow ♪
♪ Listen here ♪
♪ Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪
♪ You play the guitar on the MTV ♪
♪ That ain't workin', that's the way you do it ♪
♪ Money for nothin' and your chicks for free ♪
♪ Money for nothin', yeah ♪
♪ And the chicks for free ♪
♪ Get your money for nothin' ♪ ♪ What's that ♪
♪ And your chicks for free ♪
♪ Look at that, look at that ♪
♪ Get your money for nothin' ♪ ♪ I want my ♪
♪ I want my ♪ ♪ And the chicks for free ♪
♪ I want my MTV ♪
♪ Ah, money for nothin' ♪ ♪ I want my ♪
♪ I want my ♪ ♪ And the chicks for free ♪
♪ I want my MTV ♪ (spirited upbeat music fades)

Key Vocabulary

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Vocabulary Meanings

install

/ɪnˈstɔːl/

B2
  • verb
  • - to set up equipment or machinery for use

refrigerator

/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər/

B1
  • noun
  • - an appliance for keeping food cool

microwave

/ˈmaɪkrəˌweɪv/

B1
  • noun
  • - an appliance that cooks or heats food using microwave radiation

kitchen

/ˈkɪtʃən/

A2
  • noun
  • - a room where food is prepared

delivery

/dɪˈlɪvəri/

B1
  • noun
  • - the act of bringing goods to a recipient

build

/bɪld/

B1
  • verb
  • - to construct or create something

manage

/ˈmænɪdʒ/

B2

operate

/ˈɒpəreɪt/

B2

gig

/ɡɪɡ/

B2
  • noun
  • - a paid performance or job for a musician or performer

millionaire

/ˌmɪljəˈneər/

C1
  • noun
  • - a person who has a million or more units of currency

money

/ˈmʌni/

A2
  • noun
  • - a medium of exchange in the form of coins or banknotes

chicks

/tʃɪks/

A2
  • noun
  • - young women, or slang for young women or girlfriends

rock

/rɒk/

A1
  • verb
  • - to sway back and forth
  • noun
  • - a solid mineral material

play

/pleɪ/

A1
  • verb
  • - to engage in activities for enjoyment

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Key Grammar Structures

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