Songs About Consumerism

Brooke Wabie

Money – Pink Floyd

In this song, “Money” by Pink Floyd there are several examples in the lyrics that can give a good description of consumerism.

A few quotes directly from the song;

“Get a good job with more pay and you’re okay”

“New car, caviar, four star daydream , Think I’ll buy me a football team”

“I’m in the hi-fidelity first class traveling set, and I think I need a Lear jet”

All of these quotes show or build up to reckless spending, or buying for the sake of buying rather than buying out of necessity as well as making a note that in this time money is the root of all evil, without a doubt meaning their personal view on consumerism was not pleasant.

Billionaire – Travie McCoy Ft. Bruno Mars

In this song, consumerism is showed through plenty of reckless spending, although not necessarily in a bad way .

Travie McCoy decides he would spend his money recklessly for other people as well as for himself, spreading the wealth but in less than sensible ways.

“Give away a few Mercedes like 'Here lady have this‘”

“I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine smiling next to Oprah and the Queen”

There are many other examples throughout the song.

Travie is promoting doing extravagant things for the less fortunate making consumerism seem favorable even.

Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani

There is no question about the lengths of the reckless spending that would go on here, Gwen mentions very luxurious brand names, flying first class, and living in fancy houses. However despite all of these things she puts the true value in love.“All the riches baby, won't mean anything … Your lovin' is better than gold”Accompanied by Eve at the ending of the song she says straightforward “You know you can't buy these things”Showing that even if you are wealthy and buying into brand names like marketers want for consumerism to grow, nothing is more valuable than the love of someone important to you.

Lost in the Supermarket – The Clash

“I’m all lost in the super market, I can no longer shop happily I came in here for that special offer”A great representation of shopping on boxing day, with advertisements showing that all those things you want are now extremely low prices everyone’s inside and rushing each other over sales.Showing that the clash is seeing the problem with consumerism and how it’s affecting the way we interact with each other.

Last Friday Night – Katy Perry

While this song is mostly about the wicked hangover of the night before. Katy Perry does make a good point about the unnecessary expenses we create for ourselves.“Last Friday nightYeah, we maxed our credit cardsAnd got kicked out of the barSo we hit the boulevard”Maxing credit cards and hitting the main strip of town for shopping doesn’t sound necessary to our survival, nor does having a favourite party dress, chandelier, or liquors.

Love don’t cost a thing – J-Lo

In the beginning J-Lo says “I’m just opening it now it’s beautiful, but I wish you could’ve been here instead because the last thing I need is another bracelet”Showing that she believes in paying for necessity not symbols of status.In the video she walks away throwing off all the expensive gifts.“All that matter's is That you treat me right Give me all the things I need That money can't buy ““You think you gotta keep me iced You don't You think I'm gonna spend your cash I won't Even if you were broke My love don't cost a thing “Showing how people and compassion are more important than status and material things.

Gold Digger – Kanye West

While this song is more a jab at women who use men for their money, it’s evident that that money is being used to buy things that aren’t needed.Instead of using child support for the child, it’s used for-liposuction-luxurious cars-big houses-Louis Vuitton pursesWhich is understandably more desirable than working minimum wage jobs to get by, but not necessary, meaning consumerism has dug itself deep into the “gold digging women's” lifestyle as well.