It's Money That Matters
Randy Newman · Other Songs - Randy Newman
Most never adjusted to the great big world
I see them lurking in book stores
Working for the Public Radio
Carrying their babies around in a sack on their back
Moving careful and slow
(Chorus)
It's money that matters
Hear what I say
It's money that matters
In the USA
All of these people are much brighter than I
In any fair system they would flourish and thrive
But they barely survive
They eke out a living and they barely survive
When I was a young boy, maybe thirteen
I took a hard look around me and asked what does it mean?
So I talked to my father, and he didn't know
And I talked to my friend and he didn't know
And I talked to my brother and he didn't know
And I talked to everybody that I knew
(Chorus)
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters
Whatever you do
Then I talked to a man lived up on the county line
I was washing his car with a friend of mine
He was a little fat guy in a red jumpsuit
I said "You look kind of funny"
He said "I know that I do"
"But I got a great big house on the hill here
And a great big blonde wife inside it
And a great big pool in my backyard and another great big pool
beside it
Sonny it's money that matters, hear what I say
It's money that matters in the USA
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters whatever you do"
It's Money That Matters
Randy Newman's 'It's Money That Matters' stands as a sharp, satirical commentary on consumerism and the materialistic values prevalent in American society. Delivered with his signature dry wit and rhythmic cadence, the track critiques the obsession with wealth and the superficiality of modern life. As part of Newman's broader discography, the song exemplifies his ability to weave social observation into accessible pop-rock structures. The recording captures the essence of his mid-career work, where he frequently tackled themes of greed, family dynamics, and societal hypocrisy with biting humor. While often associated with his later albums, the song remains a quintessential Newman piece, reflecting his enduring commitment to using music as a vehicle for social critique and human insight.

