Album: Money Honey (1953)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This early R&B song was a big influence on the Doo-Wop sound that would emerge later in the '50s. McPhatter sings about wanting a girl who can support him, but she's not having it. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • This was written by Jesse Stone, who was a producer and songwriter for Atlantic Records.

Comments: 2

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 31st 1957, Elvis appeared at the Empire Stadium in Vancouver, Canada...
    He performed only four songs; "Money Honey", "That's When your Heartaches Begin", "Hound Dog", and "Jailhouse Rock"...
    After "Jailhouse Rock" Col. Tom Parker ordered Elvis off stage due to the surging fans; the concert lasted a total of twenty two minutes...
    It was Elvis' third and last time he would performed outside the U.S.A., earlier in the year {April} he did shows in Toronto and Ottawa...
    At the time of the concert Elvis had three songs on Billboard's Top 100 chart; "Teddy Bear" {at #3}, "Loving You" {at #34}, and "All Shook Up" {at #48}...
    Tickets for the Vancouver show ranged from $1.50 to $3.50 and the attendance was 26,000 fans...
    R.I.P. to The King {1935 - 1977}.
  • Nick from London, United KingdomIt didn't take Clyde McPhatter long to get off the mark with his new group. Written by Atlantic's ace producer/writer, Jesse Stone, Money Honey was the Drifters first record and it went straight to #1 in October 1953. The unusual bagpipe-like drone at the beginning soon gives way to the band launching into Stone's latin-influenced 'Atlantic Beat' with some gusto. It's an all star line-up as well, featuring not only Stone himself on piano, but also Mickey Baker on guitar and Sam "the Man" Taylor on tenor sax (listen out for Clyde's almighty scream in the middle of Sam's sax solo). Interestingly, their second single paired up the latin-influenced song Such A Night with the gospel-like Lucille, which was recorded with a completely different group. Because of his church backgound, McPhatter had the idea of mixing sacred and secular sounds on both sides of the same disc.
    Nick Duckett
    http://www.rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk/
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.