IRS Tax Form Stressed? Get Over it with Fun Money Songs from the 1940s to 1970s

We all feel the pain this time of year. But we can take some of the anxiety out of the tax form chores by playing some great money songs from as far back as the 1940s and up through the 1970s.

Pink Floyd

By far, the tax season song for all time is "Money," from Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon, easily kept its seat on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts for over 1,500 weeks. How many people feel just like this:

"Money, it's a crime
Share it fairly
But don't take a slice of my pie"

Patty Page

From about 1948 through 1965, Patty Page was known for her great blend of pop music with country styling. Her 1957 song, "A Poor Man's Roses" is one that helped her maintain popularity into the 60s as the rock music era pushed out many others.

"And yet the hand that brings a rose tonight
Is the hand I will hold.
For the rose of love means more to me
Than any rich man's gold."

The Beatles

"Can't Buy Me Love," by The Beatles, topped the 1964 charts for 10 weeks at #1 on US Billboard. Best lyrics from the Beatles' song "Can't Buy Me Love:"

"I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give, but what I got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love"

The Beatles' "Taxman," first released on 1966 album, Recorder, never ranked on the US Billboard, but remains significant as one of the first songs George Harrison wrote. He was upset most of his earnings were being swallowed up by taxes. Inspired by his anger at the government institutions, he wrote "Taxman." Best lyrics from the Beatles' song "Taxman:"

"(if you drive a car, car ;) - I'll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit ;) - I'll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold ;) - I'll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk ;) - I'll tax your feet."

Harry Belafonte

In 1954, Harry Belafonte recorded and released a single, "I'm Just a Country Boy," created by the musical pair, Fred Brooks and Marshall Barer, according to Harry Belafonte Discography. It wasn't until 1966 that the song gained notice as part of Belafonte's album, In My Quiet Room, with the entire album of songs earning a rank of 87 on the Billboard 200 Chart for 1966. The best lyric of "I'm Just a Country Boy," hails from the chorus:

" For.....I'm just a country boy
Money have I none
But I've got silver in the stars
And gold in the morning sun"

Abba

Tax time cannot pass by without an Abba sing-a-long of their hit "Money, Money, Money" now part of the popular 2008 movie, "Mama Mia!," with Meryl Steep and Pierce Brosnan. Abba's band website states the 1976 song didn't make the U.S. Billboard top 200, but "Money, Money, Money" held the #1 spot on Germany and Australia's charts on the 1976-77 Arrival album. The worldwide popularity of the musical stage show, Mama Mia!, brought new popularity to Abba and their songs. Best lyrics from Abba's song "Money, Money, Money:"

"Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world"

Any task can be made less stressful by putting a touch of creativity, music, or color into the workspace. Listening to music may help to deal with the job and even bring a smile or a tapping toe into play. Before you know it, the job is done.

Sources

Lyrics Mode
Pop Culture Madness
Lynn Pritchett, Yahoo Contributing Writer

Copyright Notice

This article is an adaptation of the originally published piece by Lynn Pritchett on 03/01/2010 for Suite101.com. All rights are reserved by Lynn Pritchett.