Getting Started:

Manitoba Music Curriculum Outcomes:

• M-V1 Engage consistently and constructively in music learning experiences. Generate relevant questions and contribute thoughtfully to discussions in music learning experiences.
• M-V3 Share and justify interpretations of own and others.

Learning Goals:

The students will think about the positive and negative affects money has on society. They will discuss several money themes: e.g. working hard to earn money, wanting to be wealthy, spending money on material things, paying bills and paying taxes, etc.

Readiness:

• Students understand that music can be a tool to express feelings and opinions about society.

Materials Needed:

• Access to a computer or Smart Board
• Copies of the Song Lyrics handout

Learning Activity:

Introduction to Lesson:

• Ask the class to brainstorm ideas about how money affects peoples’ lives. Make a list on the board.

Action:

• Tell the class that they will be watching 3 music videos that express ideas about money. Ask them what money concept is being expressed in each video.
• Open the following websites to view the videos.
  • ABBA – “Money Money Money” – http://power98fm.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/top-20-songs-about-money-money-money/7/
  • Barenaked Ladies – “If I Had A Million Dollars” – http://power98fm.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/top-20-songs-about-money-money-money/10/
  • The Beatles – “Taxman” – http://power98fm.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/top-20-songs-about-money-money-money/20/
• Divide the class into groups and give each group a copy of the Song Lyrics.
• They are to read the song lyrics, discuss in their groups what the money themes are, and be prepared to share their ideas with the class.

Consolidation of Learning:

• Lead a discussion by having each group share their ideas about the song lyrics.

Evaluating Success:

Success Criteria:

• Revisit the list on the blackboard and ask the class to add any new themes that were found today in the videos or song lyrics.

Confirming Activity:

• Ask the class to write a paragraph summarizing the ideas talked about today, including their own thoughts about how money affects society.

SONG LYRICS

“Material Girl” — Madonna

Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me
I think they’re O.K.
If they don’t give me proper credit
I just walk away
They can beg and they can plead

But they can’t see the light, that’s right
’Cause the boy with the cold hard cash
Is always Mister Right, ’cause we are
Living in a material world

And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

“Money” — The Flying Lizards

The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
I want money
(That’s what I want)

You love gives me such a thrill
But your love won’t pay my bills
I want money
(That’s what I want)

Money don’t get everything it’s true
But what it don’t get I can’t use
I want money
(That’s what I want)

I want money
I want lots of money
In fact I want so much money
Give me your money
Just give me money

“She Works Hard For The Money” — Donna Summer

She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right

I met her there in the corner stand
And she wonders where she is and
It’s strange to her
Some people seem to have everything

Nine a.m. on the hour hand
And she’s waiting for the bell
And she’s looking real pretty
Just waiting for her clientele

Twenty-eight years have come and gone
And she’s seen a lot of tears
Of the ones who come in
They really seem to need her there

It’s a sacrifice working day to day
For little money, just tips for pay
But it’s worth it all
To hear them say that they care

Already knows
She’s seen her bad times
Already knows
These are the good times

She’ll never sell out
She never will
Not for a dollar bill
She works hard

Excerpt from the song “Bills Bills Bills” — Destiny’s Child

At first we started out real cool
Taking me places I ain’t never been
But now, you’re getting comfortable
Ain’t doing those things you did no more
You’re slowly making me pay for things
Your money should be handling

And now you ask to use my car
Drive it all day and don’t fill up the tank
And you have the audacity
To even come and step to me
Ask to hold some money from me
Until you get your check next week

You triflin’, good for nothing type of brother
Silly me, why haven’t I found another?
A baller, when times get hard, I need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you, who don’t know what a man’s about

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo’ bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don’t think you do
So, you and me are through

Now you’ve been maxing out my card
Gave me bad credit, buyin’ me gifts with my own ends
Haven’t paid the first bill
But instead you’re headin’ to the mall
Goin’ on shopping sprees
Perpetrating to your friends like you be ballin’

And then you use my cell phone
Callin’ whoever that you thinks at home
And then when the bill comes
All of a sudden you be acting dumb
Don’t know where none of these calls come from
When your mommas number’s here more than once

Excerpt from “Can’t Buy Me Love” — The Beatles

Can’t buy me love, love
Can’t buy me love

I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend
If it makes you feel all right
I’ll get you anything my friend
If it makes you feel all right
Cause I don’t care too much for money
For money can’t buy me love

I’ll give you all I’ve got to give
If you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give
But what I’ve got I’ll give to you
I don’t care too much for money
For money can’t buy me love

Can’t buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can’t buy me love
No, no, no, no

Say you don’t need no diamond ring
And I’ll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can’t buy
I don’t care too much for money
Cause money can’t buy me love
Oh, can’t buy me love, love
Can’t buy me love, no

“Nine to Five” — Dolly Parton

Tumble Out of Bed and Stumble to the Kitchen;
Pour Myself a Cup of Ambition,
And Yawn, and Stretch, and Try to Come alive.
Jump in the Shower, and the Blood Starts Pumping;
Out On the Street, the Traffic Starts Jumping,
With Folks Like Me On the Job From Nine to Five.

Working Nine to Five, What a Way to Make a Living
Barely Getting By, it’s All Taking and no Giving
They Just Use Your Mind, and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

They Let You Dream Just to Watch Them Shatter;
You’re Just a Step On the Boss Man’s Ladder,
But You’ve Got Dreams He’ll Never Take Away.
In the Same Boat With a Lot of Your Friends;
Waitin’ For the Day Your Ship’ll Come In,
And the Tide’s Gonna Turn, and It’s All Gonna Roll Your Way.

Working Nine to Five, What a Way to Make a Living
Barely Getting By, it’s All Taking and no Giving
They Just Use Your Mind, and you never get the credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

Nine to Five, yeah They’ve Got You Where They Want You;
There’s a Better Life, and You think that i want, Don’t You?
It’s a Rich Man’s Game, no Matter What They Call It;
And You Spend Your Life Putting Money in His Pocket.

Excerpt from the song “Sixteen Tons” — Merle Travis

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man’s made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ‘cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said “Well, a-bless my soul”
You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don’t you call me, ’cause I can’t go;
I owe my soul to the company store…

“Money Changes Everything” – Cyndi Lauper

She said I’m sorry baby I’m leaving you tonight
I found someone new he’s waitin’ in the car outside
Ah honey how could you do it
We swore each other everlasting love
She said well yeah I know but when
We did — there was one thing we weren’t
Really thinking of and that’s money

Money changes everything
Money, money changes everything
We think we know what we’re doin’
That don’t mean a thing
It’s all in the past now
Money changes everything

They shake your hand and they smile
And they buy you a drink
They say we’ll be your friends
We’ll stick with you till the end
Ah but everybody’s only
Looking out for themselves
And you say well who can you trust
I’ll tell you it’s just
Nobody else’s money
Money changes everything

Money changes everything
We think we know what we’re doin’
We don’t pull the strings
It’s all in the past now
Money changes everything
Money changes everything
Money changes everything
We think we know what we’re doing
We don’t know a thing
It’s all in the past now
Money changes everything

Excerpt from “A Poor Man’s Roses (Or a Rich Man’s Money)” — Patsy Cline

I must make up my mind today
What to have, what to hold
A poor man’s roses
Or a rich man’s gold

One’s as wealthy as a king in a palace
Tho’ he’s callous and cold
He may learn to give his heart for love
Instead of buyin’ it with gold

Then the poor man’s roses
And the thrill when we kiss
Will be memories of paradise
That I’ll never miss

“With Plenty of Money and You” — Tony Bennett

Well, baby, what I couldn’t do
With plenty of money and you.
In spite of the worry that money brings.
Just a little filthy looker buys a lot of things.
And I could take you to places that you would like to go.
But outside of that, I’ve no use for dough.
It’s the root of all evil,
Of strife and upheaval.
But I’m certain, honey, that life would be sunny
With plenty of money and you.