If you’ve been following the site lately, you’ve noticed that we’ve started doing some band interviews.  In the past month or so we’ve interviewed The Dodos, Sleepy Sun, and Girls in Trouble.  The reason for this is that pretty much everyone who is in a band was a broke-ass at one point and some of them still are.  This got me thinking about all the great songs about being broke and I decided to put together a list of five of my favorite.  So here they are in no particular order.  Feel free to suggest some of your own in the comment area.

Gregory Issacs – Loving Pauper:

Wow this dude fucking nailed it!  How many of you cats have been in relationships where you’re like, “Well, I can’t afford to buy you shit, But I’l love the fuck out of you for sure.”  Just peep my man Gregory’s lyrics”

I’m not in a position to maintain you,
the way that you’re accustomed to,
Can’t take you out to fancy places,
Like other fellows that I know can do,
I’m only able to romance you,
& make you tingle with delight,
Financially, I’m a pauper,
but when it comes to lovin I’m alright.
Alright alright

The Rolling Stones – Angie:

Alright sure, this is more of a break-up song that one about being broke, but you can obviously tell that not having any money added to the pressure that caused the break-up.  Check these lyrics:

With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats
You can’t say we’re satisfied
But Angie, Angie, you can’t say we never tried

See what I mean?

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas – Tramp:

Aw man this is such a classic!  Otis made SO much good music. I love the part in this joint when Carla’s all “You don’t wear continental clothes, or Stetson hats.” and Otis says, “Well I tell you one dog-gone thing. It makes me feel good to know one thing. I know I’m a lover.”

Yeah, I love this song.  Too bad this is the only video I could find.

Richie Cunning – One dollar Wonder:

This is my theme song.  No really it is.  If you don’t know about Richie Cunning you do now!  The song starts at about the 1:30 mark of the video.

Brother Ali – Faheem:

Technically this is a song about Brother Ali explaining to his son why he divorced the kid’s mother.  But but the lyrics (like many of Ali’s lyrics) touch upon how broke he was and how that helped fire him up to get where he is now. See:

I just pray that you don’t remember us sleepin on the floor
And me cleanin mouse droppings out of your toys
It took alot of hard work for us to get where we at

Now it’s your turn.  What are some of your favorite songs about being broke?

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Tags: Brother Ali, Carla Thomas, Gregory Issacs, music, Otis Redding, Richie Cunning, Songs about being broke, The Rolling Stones