There are a lot of songs about greed out there. Some are more subtle than others. But all of them have something to say about the dark side of human nature. greed can be destructive, and it often leads to unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
In this blog post, we will explore the different ways that greed is portrayed in music. From the classic to more modern songs, there is no shortage of material to work with. If you’re looking for a new song to add to your playlist, or just want to reflect on the greed in your own life, these songs are sure to do the trick.
Contents
- 1. “gold digger” by Kanye West
- 2. “Greedy” by Ariana Grande
- 3. “Material Girl” by Madonna
- 4. “Greedy Fly” by Bush
- 5. “I Want It All” by Queen
- 6. “Love Is Greed” by Passion Pit
- 7. “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong
- 8. “Greed Killing” by Napalm Death
- 9. “Money” by Pink Floyd
- 10. “Greatest Greed” by In Flames
- 11. “I Wanted Everything” by The Ramones
- 12. “Fools Gold” by The Stone Roses
- 13. “Greed and Gold” by Seth Lakeman
- 14. “Made Of Money” by Adam Ant
- 15. “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)” by Pet Shop Boys
- 16. “Greed” by Ann Wilson
- 17. “Take the Money and Run” by Crosby & Nash
- 18. “Price Tag” by Jessie J
- 19. “Disease of Conceit” by Bob Dylan
- 20. “Too Much” by Dave Matthews Band
- Final Thoughts
1. “gold digger” by Kanye West
Starting off the list is a more recent addition. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West is a popular song that talks about the shallowness of some people.
The lyrics describe a woman who is only interested in a man for his money. It features the artist Jamie Foxx and you can find this track on the Late Registration album.
2. “Greedy” by Ariana Grande
Next on the list is another chart-topping song, “Greedy” by Ariana Grande. This one is a bit more lighthearted than the last, but it still gets the message across.
The lyrics talk about how someone can be so consumed by greed when in love. You can find this track on her popular album Dangerous Woman.
3. “Material Girl” by Madonna
This next song just doesn’t seem to get old. “Material Girl” by Madonna was released in 1984 and is still as relevant today as it was then. The lyrics describe a woman who is only interested in wealthy men and their lifestyle. You can find this track on the Like a Virgin album.
4. “Greedy Fly” by Bush
Bush was a popular rock band in the 90s and “Greedy Fly” was one of their biggest hits. The lyrics talk about how greed can lead to destruction.
It’s a heavy song with a powerful message. You can find this track on the Razorblade Suitcase album which was released in 1996 and can still be streamed on all music platforms out there.
5. “I Want It All” by Queen
Up next is “I Want It All” by the legendary band Queen. This song was released in 1989 and is still one of their most popular tracks.
The lyrics talk about how somebody can want everything in life and end up with nothing. You can find it on their The Miracle album. This track has been covered by various artists over the years.
6. “Love Is Greed” by Passion Pit
Next on the list is a more recent track, “Love is Greed” by Passion Pit. This song came out in 2012 and it’s all about how love can make you do things that you normally wouldn’t do.
The lyrics talk about how people will do anything for love, even if it’s something as small as a kiss. You can find it on the album Gossamer.
7. “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong
“Money (That’s What I Want)” is a Motown classic that was written by Berry Gordy Jr. and Janie Bradford. The song was originally recorded by Barrett Strong in 1959 and it has been covered by many artists over the years.
The song is about being obsessed with money and how it can control your life. You can find it on the album Money (That’s What I Want) / Oh I Apologize.
8. “Greed Killing” by Napalm Death
Napalm Death is a British grindcore band that was formed in 1981. “Greed Killing” is a song off of their 1996 album of the same title.
The song is about how greed can lead to corruption and how it’s destroying the world. It’s still a relevant topic today and you can still stream this reflective track on all music platforms out there.
9. “Money” by Pink Floyd
Next on the list is a track by the one and only Pink Floyd. “Money” is a song off of their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.
The song is all about how money is the root of all evil and how it can control your life. It’s a classic track that you can still compare to modern day problems.
10. “Greatest Greed” by In Flames
“Greatest Greed” is a song off of In Flames’ 2016 album Battles. The song is about how greed can consume you and how it can ruin your life.
It’s a heavy track that will make you think about your own life and what you’re doing with it. You can find it on all major music platforms. You can stream this track on all music platforms out there.
11. “I Wanted Everything” by The Ramones
The Ramones’ song “I Wanted Everything” is a perfect example of how greed can consume someone. In the song, the speaker admits that they wanted everything, and as a result, they lost sight of what was truly important.
They explain how their greed led them to make bad decisions, and how those decisions ended up costing them dearly. You can find it on their Road to Ruin album.
12. “Fools Gold” by The Stone Roses
The idiom “fools gold” is often used to describe something that seems valuable, but is actually worthless.
In The Stone Roses’ song “Fools Gold”, the speaker sings about how some people will do anything for money, even if it means sacrificing their integrity. It was released in 1989 as part of their self-titled album.
13. “Greed and Gold” by Seth Lakeman
Next on the list is “Greed and Gold” by Seth Lakeman. In this song, the speaker reflects on how greed can cause people to make bad decisions.
They explain how greed can lead people to betray their friends and family, and how it can ultimately result in ruin. You can find it on their Poor Man’s Heaven album.
14. “Made Of Money” by Adam Ant
“Made Of Money” by Adam Ant is another song that highlights the negative effects of greed. In the song, the speaker sings about how money can change people, and how it can make them do things they wouldn’t normally do.
They explain how greed can lead to corruption and how it can ultimately destroy relationships. You can find it on their Friend or Foe album released in 1982.
15. “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)” by Pet Shop Boys
Up next is “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)” by Pet Shop Boys. In this song, the speakers sing about how they’re going to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, regardless of the consequences.
They explain how they’re going to use other people to get what they want, and how they’re not afraid to take advantage of them. You can find it on their Please album released in 1986.
16. “Greed” by Ann Wilson
Ann Wilson’s “Greed” is a searing indictment of the money-hungry business world. She sings about how “greed is a bottomless well” and how it can never be sated.
The song is a powerful reminder that greed is ultimately destructive and self-defeating. You can find it on her album Fierce Bliss.
17. “Take the Money and Run” by Crosby & Nash
Next on the list is Crosby & Nash’s “Take the Money and Run.” This song is more of a cautionary tale than anything else.
It tells the story of a man who gets caught up in the rat race and ends up losing everything he has. The moral of the song is that greed is a dangerous thing and can lead to ruin.
18. “Price Tag” by Jessie J
I’m pretty sure we can all relate to Jessie J’s “Price Tag.” Who among us hasn’t felt the pressure to keep up with the Joneses?
The song is about how our society is obsessed with material goods and how that obsession can lead to greed. It’s a catchy tune with a powerful message. You can find it on her album Who You Are.
19. “Disease of Conceit” by Bob Dylan
“Disease of Conceit” is a scathing criticism of the greed that Bob Dylan sees in the world around him. It’s a dark and depressing song, but it’s also incredibly powerful.
Dylan’s lyrics are some of the best I’ve ever heard. If you’re looking for a song that will make you think, this is the one. You can find it on his album Oh Mercy.
20. “Too Much” by Dave Matthews Band
Finishing up the list is “Too Much” by Dave Matthews Band. This song is about how our society is obsessed with material possessions and how that obsession can lead to greed.
It’s a great tune with a powerful message. You can find it on their album Crash which was released in 1996 and can be streamed on all music platforms out there.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the most popular songs about greed. We hope you enjoyed our list and found a new favorite or two. They may not be the most uplifting songs, but they certainly make you think about what’s important in life. Thanks for reading!
