“Money for Nothing” is one of Dire Straits’ most famous songs, released in June 1985 with “Love over Gold” (Live) on the B-side as the second single from their massively successful album Brothers in Arms. Written by Mark Knopfler and Sting, the song became an international hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. It is well-known for its iconic guitar riff, satirical lyrics, and groundbreaking MTV-inspired music video.
The song’s lyrics satirically explore the perspective of a working-class man who watches MTV and envies the glamorous lifestyle of rock stars, complaining that they get “money for nothing and chicks for free.” The lyrics capture the resentment some people might feel toward musicians or celebrities who seem to live easy, luxurious lives while doing what appears to be little hard work.
Some of the song’s lyrics, particularly the use of a derogatory term in reference to gay men, have sparked controversy over the years. Although the intent was to portray the working man’s viewpoint in a humorous, satirical way, the use of the slur drew criticism for being offensive. Mark Knopfler later addressed this, explaining that the lyrics were meant to be a character study of a stereotypical working-class man, rather than his own views, and the word has been removed or altered in later performances and broadcasts of the song.
“Money for Nothing” is renowned for its unforgettable guitar riff, which Mark Knopfler played on a Gibson Les Paul guitar using a distinctive fingerpicking technique. The song’s opening riff, with its crunchy, distorted sound, became one of the most recognizable guitar intros of the 1980s and remains a staple of classic rock. The song also features Sting on backing vocals, particularly in the opening line “I want my MTV,” which was based on The Police’s song “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” Sting’s contribution was crucial, and he shares co-writing credit on the track. The song combines elements of rock, synth-pop, and blues, with a strong rhythm section and synthesizers adding to its polished production.
“Money for Nothing” was a major commercial success and became Dire Straits’ biggest hit. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., where it stayed for three weeks, and topped also the Canada Top Singles Chart. It reached the top 10 in several other countries, including the UK, where it peaked at No. 4. The song helped propel Brothers in Arms to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide.
The song also won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1986, and it helped cement Dire Straits’ status as one of the leading rock bands of the 1980s. It was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year as well.
The music video for “Money for Nothing” was groundbreaking at the time for its use of early computer-generated animation (CGI). Directed by Steve Barron, the video featured blocky, animated characters of two workers moving appliances while watching MTV. The video was the first to be aired on MTV Europe when the network launched on 1 August 1987
The phrase “I want my MTV” became synonymous with the rise of MTV as a major force in music and youth culture during the 1980s. The video won several MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year in 1986, and played a key role in popularizing both the song and the album.
“Money for Nothing” remains one of Dire Straits’ most iconic songs and is considered a classic of 1980s rock. Its catchy guitar riff, satirical lyrics, and memorable music video have made it a defining track of the decade. The song’s mix of humor, social commentary, and innovative production techniques helped it transcend its era, continuing to resonate with fans today.