21 Best Songs About Greed & Wanting More

The best songs about greed can be found throughout the history of music, and they reflect the universal preoccupation with money, fame, and power.

It’s something that affects each and every one of us, so it’s no surprise that singer-songwriters have weighed in with their opinions on the subject.

Continue reading, and we’ll share our top recommendations for songs about greed that you need to add to your latest playlist.

The 21 Best Songs About Greed & Wating More

The subject of greed brings up powerful emotional responses that have helped singer-songwriters produce some of their best work.

Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or prefer contemporary pop, there’s a great song about greed that caters to your musical tastes.

Without further ado, here’s our playlist of the 21 best songs about greed and wanting more:

21. “Mercedez Benz” – Janis Joplin

The same year that Janis Joplin released her iconic song about trust, “Trust Me,” she took aim at the subject of greed with the a capella song “Mercedez Benz.”

Written in conjunction with Bob Neuwirth and Michael McClure, this great song explores the desire for possessions and the rejection of contemporary consumerism.

“Mercedez Benz” has been covered many times over the years by various singers, including Elton John, The Supremes, and the punk-pop singer Pink.

20. “Fool’s Gold” – The Stone Roses

One of the most famous songs from the British band’s extensive discography, “Fool’s Gold,” was a huge commercial hit in 1989.

Released along with “What the World Is Waiting For,” “Fool’s Gold” sees the band exploring the pitfalls of fame and money and the struggle to remain authentic in the modern world.

This classic British rock song was released with an impressive official music video that used footage of the band walking across the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands.

19. “Greedy Fly” – Bush

Another iconic indie rock band from the 1990s from the United Kingdom is Bush, who also tackled the subject of greed in their song “Greedy Fly.”

It’s a poetic and moving song that conjures up images of Indian summers, when greedy flies swoop in when you least expect them.

Bush released “Greedy Fly” in 1996 on their album Razorblade Suitcase, which also featured the singles “Cold Contagious” and “Swallowed.”

18. “Material Girl” – Madonna

The Queen of Pop, Madonna is no stranger to commercial hit pop songs, and her classic 1980s song “Material Girl” was one of the biggest hits that year.

Often ranked among the best songs about shopping, “Material Girl” is a pop classic with infectious lyrics about greed and material possessions.

“Material Girl” was featured on the Madonna album Like a Virgin, which was certified diamond by the RIAA after selling 10 million copies worldwide.

17. “Little King” – Johnny Marr

Our next entry on this playlist of songs about greed is “Little King” by Johnny Marr, a British singer-songwriter who also enjoyed success during the 1980s.

Marr sings about the kingdom of Fortuna Free Spirit, spinning naked and making his fortunes out of misfortunes regardless of the consequences.

Throughout the song, the lyrics talk about how greed, hate, envy, and other related emotions can tear apart relationships and communities.

16. “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night” – Prince & The New Power Generation

The artist formerly known as Prince released “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night” before ditching his name and working with New Power Generation on the song.

This rhythm ‘n’ blues pop song talks about greedy people and the negative impact they have, for instance, such as sending children to war for profit.

Prince released “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night” in 1991 and featured it on the aptly titled album Diamonds and Pearls to critical and commercial acclaim.

15. “Deja Vu” – Roger Waters

Best known for his involvement with the iconic band Pink Floyd (who we’ll return to later in this list), Roger Waters released “Deja Vu” during his impressive solo career.

It’s a song that speaks to greed in a variety of ways, from alcohol addiction to greedy bankers getting fat off the labor of hard-working people.

In this great track, Roger Waters blends elements of indie rock together effortlessly to create a moving song about the nature of greed.

14. “Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell

Written, composed, and performed by Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi” was originally released in 1970 on her album Ladies of the Canyon.

Mitchell wrote “Big Yellow Taxi” while visiting Hawaii, where she witnessed a parking lot breaking up the beauty of the rolling mountain landscape.

It’s a great companion piece to the Crosby, Stills, and Nash song about islands, “Lady of the Island,” which was inspired by Joni Mitchell.

13. “Too Much” – Dave Matthews Band

American rock band the Dave Matthews Band released “Too Much” in 1996 and featured it as the lead single from the album Crash the same year.

The popular song tells the story of a man who can’t get enough of the good things in life, eating, drinking, and generally wanting too much of a good thing.

This catchy song is another great reminder that a person’s life should be tempered with moderation before greed becomes all-consuming.

12. “The End Of Plain Fortune” – John Cale

Founding member of the rock band Velvet Underground, John Cale released the track “The End of Plain Fortune” in 1973, cementing his impressive songwriting reputation.

It’s an angry song that intimately links greed with war and suffering and how the former destroys lives for the sake of profit for a handful of people.

“The End of Plain Fortune” was featured on the John Cale album Paris 1919, which explored a broad range of political and cultural changes during that year.

11. “Give Give Give Me More More More” – The Wonder Stuff

Like The Stone Roses and Bush, The Wonder Stuff first came to prominence on the English music scene in the late 1980s through the 1990s.

Their song “Give Give Give Me More More More” was released on the album The Eight Legged Groove Machine, and it featured their trademark peppy vocals and smooth guitar riffs.

It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at greed and the pressure of having all the money in the world, and it’s one of the great songs from the era.

10. “Take The Money And Run” – Crosby & Nash

Another catchy song about greed with strong lyrics and musicianship is “Take the Money and Run” by Crosby and Nash, minus the third member Stills.

This classy song explores the feeling of summer ending and the opportunities it brings departing with it, forcing people to seize the moment before it passes.

“Take the Money and Run” was released by Crosby and Nash in 1975 on the album Wing on the Water, their second album, which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

9. “Greedy” – Ariana Grande

Pop singer Ariana Grande knows a thing or two about chart-topping hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, with many hit releases in her impressive discography.

“Greedy” is a song all about how money talks when it truly counts, and it’s another ironic take on the topic that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Released on the 2016 album Dangerous Woman, “Greedy” is a popular song about what it’s like being a rich girl in the modern world while dealing with fame.

8. “Disease Of Conceit” – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is a singer-songwriter with an enviable reputation, responsible for some of the best songs of all time over the course of his long and impressive career.

“Disease of Conceit,” which was released in 1989, his later period, tackles the subject of greed in his idiosyncratic lyrical style.

If there was ever a song that captured the capitalist culture in its worst light, “Disease of Conceit” is a candidate for that honor.

7. “Age Of Greed” – Killing Joke

“Age of Greed” by Killing Joke is another powerful song about greed that talks about the gulf between the privileged few and the masses.

The lyrics describe a ruthless person willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, stamping and cheating on people to get to that champagne breakfast.

It’s a cynical song, which Killing Joke released in 1990 on the album Extremities, Dirt, and Various Repressed Emotions to critical acclaim.

6. “Piggies” – The Beatles

On the surface, The Beatles’ song “Piggies” is about greedy people who can’t get enough food in their lives.

Released in 1968, “Piggies” features lyrics that evoke images of greedy people out on the town clutching forks and knives as they tuck into piles of bacon.

The Beatles enjoyed many successes over the decades, including multiple Grammy Award wins and nominations for their singles and albums.

5. “I Wanted Everything” – The Ramones

“I Wanted Everything” by The Ramones wears its heart on its sleeve, and the song reflects the band’s experience of writing songs on a wide variety of topics.

Having released one of the best songs about California, “California Sun,” The Ramones here turn their attention to the childhood thirst for presents at Christmas and Easter holidays.

Released in 1978, “I Wanted Everything” is a reflection of how children can never get enough of a good thing, no matter how bad it is for them.

4. “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)” – The Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys released “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” with a vibrant and colorful music video that was filmed in a parking lot in 1988.

The band wrote the song after they had signed up with the record company Parlophone and wanted to explore themes around success, money, and greed.

While the lyrics talk about success and money, ultimately, the narrators are doomed to becoming victims of their success and falling foul of the material possessions they seek out.

3. “Gold Digger” – Kanye West Ft. Jamie Foxx

Kanye West teamed up with one of Hollywood’s most successful stars, Jamie Foxx, to release the iconic hit track “Gold Digger” in 2005.

Setting the record for the most digital downloads within a week, “Gold Digger” features prominent hand claps and drums in the composition.

Kanye West was inspired to write “Gold Digger” after listening to the score for the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and wanting to work with producer Jon Brion.

2. “Money” – Pink Floyd

The Pink Floyd song “Money” is one of the progressive rock band’s most enduring hits, released on their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.

It’s another song critical of money, power, and greed and how ultimately, these corrupting influences become the root of all evil.

Pink Floyd later released their critical and commercial hit The Wall, which returned to the themes of power and corruption and was accompanied by a popular movie of the same name.

1. “I Want It All” – Queen

“I Want It All” by Queen is, like Pink Floyd’s “Money,” something of an anthem when it comes to great songs about greed and corruption.

Freddie Mercury’s vocals discuss everything from an adventurer down on his luck to a young fighter screaming in pain as he strives for a way out.

Queen had many hits in their discography, including some of the best karaoke songs ever recorded, including “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

Summary

So there you have it, our roundup of the best songs about greed from the history of music, written and performed by the greatest bands and singers.

Greed, a universal emotion, is one of the seven deadly sins, so it’s no surprise that successful artists have explored the theme in their songs.

Whether it’s a cautionary tale for success or the nature of how greed makes us control people in our lives, it remains a powerful topic for music.

What’s the best song about greed, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.