For the Love of Money — The O'Jays Lyrics

• Genre: Soul, Funk


• Lyricist: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Anthony Jackson


• Composer: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Anthony Jackson


• Released: 1973


• Historical Facts: The song was a major hit and became one of The O'Jays' signature songs. It was also used as the theme song for the TV show "The Apprentice."

Artist Info

The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio. Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles formed the group's original quintet. In the 1970s, they earned international acclaim through Philadelphia International Records. Some of their most well-known songs are Back Stabbers, Love Train, and For the Love of Money, which include silky harmonies and socially conscious lyrics. Eventually, the band was accepted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it influenced many artists across genres. Regardless of how the lineup has altered throughout the years, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams have remained the key members, performing and traveling for decades.

Annotations and Meaning

The song is supposed to talk about the power that money holds and many times the destructive forces it sets forth. The lyrics describe how the human action of people is corrupted by the desire for wealth.

Money, money, money, money, money [6x]
Some people got to have it
Some people really need it

It is in these lines that the main theme of the song is introduced: obsession with money. The repetition of the word "money" acts to drive home the already overwhelming presence of the concept of money in people's lives.

Do things, do things, do bad things with it
You wanna do things, do things
Do things, good things with it

The song points out the juxtaposition of money leading to either good or bad acts. Duality, really, runs as a very important theme throughout the track.

For the love of money
People will steal from their mother
For the love of money
People will rob their own brother

These lines show that human beings can actually go to the length of betraying a person close to them if it means money. This is what the possession of wealth signifies: corruption.

For the love of money
People can't even walk the street
Because they never know
Who in the world they're gonna beat
For that lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar, money

This makes the people fear and distrust each other from the greed of money. A dangerous environment is created by the power of money when people cannot trust each other.

For the love of money
People will lie, Lord, they will cheat
For the love of money
People don't care who they hurt or beat

These lines further emphasize the moral decay caused by the pursuit of wealth. It robs them of their virtues and compassion.

A woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper
It carries a lot of weight
Call it lean, mean, mean green

It somehow just proves that personal values are greatly diminished for the sake of money. "A small piece of paper" is aimed to express how a very minute and petty thing could contain enormous power.

I know money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds

These lines come with the famous saying that goes money being the root of all evil. The singer is ready to undergo the mental and moral battle that will prevail in absence of money.
The strong lyrics in the song put a message of warning to the listener on how money can very much take over one's life. They urge people to think of the real cost of being wealthy and