Rhythm and Blues

He’s run out of money and hopes his woman will help him out. But..she won’t. She has another man — who has money. In 1953, the song, by producer and songwriter for Atlantic Records Jesse Stone,  went to #1 on the R&B Chart and was the best-selling R&B record of the year. The lead-in “ah-oom” to the lines made a great hook. Their sound had a big influence on the music that would emerge throughout the 1950s. There have been many covers of the song, including one by Elvis Presley on his 1956 debut LP titled Elvis Presley.

“Money Honey” was the first of many hits for The Drifters, who had an ever-evolving cast. Group members for this record were Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pinkney, Andrew Thrasher, Gerhart Thrasher, and Willie Ferbie.

McPhatter was one of the most influential R&B, soul and Rock and roll singers. He sang lead with Bill Ward and his Dominoes, formed The Drifters, and had success as a solo performer. He struggled with alcoholism and depression, which led to his early death. He was the first artist to be inducted two times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The first time was for his work with The Drifters , and the second was as a solo artist.

Clyde Lensley McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972).

Here are the lyrics to “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters:

You know, the landlord rang my front door bell.
I let it ring for a long, long spell.
I went to the window – and peeped through the blind,
And asked him to tell me what was on his mind – He said,

Money, honey – Yes, Money, honey.
Money, honey, if you want to stay here with me.

I was cleaned as a screen, and so hard-pressed.
I called the woman that I love the best.
I finally got my baby about a half past three,
She said I’d like to know what you want with me – I said,

Money, honey – Money, honey.
Money, honey – If you want to get along with me.

She screamed and said, what’s wrong with you?
From this day on our romance is through.

I said tell me, baby, face to face-
How could another man take my place? – She said

Money, honey – Money, honey.
Money, honey – If you want to get along with me.

Now I’ve learned my lesson and now I know
The sun may shine and the winds may blow.
The women may come and the women may go,
But before I say I love ’em so – I want

Money, honey – Money, honey.
Money, honey – If you want to get along with me.

(If you want to get along)
Oh, I need some money
(If you want to get along)
Well I ain’t jivin’ you honey
(If you want to get along)
You gotta give up some money
If you want to get along with me”

For More Golden Oldies Music                                

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that werewere hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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