"Money's Too Tight (to Mention)" (sometimes stylized as "Money$ Too Tight (to Mention)" in some of its single and album releases) is a song written and first recorded by American recording group
the Valentine Brothers. It was released as a single in 1982. Their version peaked at number 41 on the ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
''
Hot Black Singles
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 po ...
chart. The song was ranked at number six among the top 10 "Tracks of the Year" for 1982 by ''
NME
''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...
''.
"Money's Too Tight (to Mention)" was covered by British pop and soul group
Simply Red
Simply Red are an English soul music, soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. Band leader, singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall was the only original member left by the time Simply Red initially disbanded in 2010. They have released thir ...
in 1985 as their debut single. The single went to number 13 on the
UK Singles Chart in July 1985 and number 28 on the US ''Billboard''
Hot 100
The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), o ...
chart in 1986. The song was also an international hit, reaching the top 40 in several countries.
The lyrics concern a person with economic problems, and mention
Reaganomics
Reaganomics (; a portmanteau of ''Reagan'' and ''economics'' attributed to Paul Harvey), or Reaganism, were the Neoliberalism, neoliberal economics, economic policies promoted by United States President, U.S. President Ronald Reagan during the ...
, a set of economic policies implemented by
U.S.
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous ...
president
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...
in order to
encourage the growth of the American economy. The lyrics include the lines "the old man that's over the hill", and "did the earth move for you, Nancy?" He wants to borrow money, first from his brother who responds,"Brother I'd like to help you but I'm unable to", then to his "Father, Father, almighty Father" who then responds "Money's too tight to mention".
Track listings
* 7-inch single
# Money's Too Tight (To Mention) 3:38
# (Open Up the) Red Box 3:55
* 12-inch single
# Money's Too Tight (To Mention) (The Cutback Mix) 8:40
# Money's Too Tight (To Mention) (Single Version) 3:38
# Money's Too Tight (To Mention) (Dub Version) 6:43
Charts
The Valentine Brothers version
Simply Red version
See also
*
Ronald Reagan in music
References
1982 songs
1985 debut singles
Elektra Records singles
Simply Red songs
Songs about poverty
Songs about Ronald Reagan
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