10 Best Songs About Greed

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Greed has fueled some of the most compelling narratives in rock and roll, serving as both a cautionary tale and an unapologetic anthem. Whether it’s a biting critique of wealth and corruption, an indictment of personal excess, or a tongue-in-cheek embrace of material desires, the theme has been explored in every era and genre. From blistering hard rock to soulful blues and theatrical prog, these songs dissect ambition, avarice, and the consequences of wanting too much. Some artists sneer at the greed-driven elite, while others step into the role of the guilty party, reveling in their hunger for more. The result is a collection of tracks that expose the many faces of greed—its allure, its destruction, and its undeniable presence in human nature.

Sarah McLachlan’s “Black” took an introspective approach, portraying greed as an internal struggle between indulgence and regret, while Styx’s “Half Penny Two Penny” cast a wider net, condemning societal corruption with anthemic grandeur. Godsmack’s “Greed” channeled raw aggression, attacking selfishness with a modern metal edge, whereas George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ “Greedy Man” leaned into bluesy bravado, portraying greed with a wry sense of humor. The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “I Want More” blurred the line between ambition and excess, illustrating how insatiable desire can be both a driving force and a curse.

The Stooges, never ones to mince words, delivered a scathing takedown of entitled elites in “Greedy Awful People,” while Ann Wilson’s “Greed” took a more poetic and introspective turn, acknowledging the seductive emptiness of endless craving. Pink Floyd’s “Money” set the gold standard for greed anthems, pairing biting sarcasm with one of rock’s most iconic basslines, and Queen’s “I Want It All” turned unchecked ambition into a fist-pumping rallying cry. The Beatles, always masters of economy, stripped the subject down to its essence in “Money (That’s What I Want),” offering a blunt and infectious declaration of desire.

# 10 – Black – Sarah McLachlan

Recorded for Solace, Sarah McLachlan’s 1991 sophomore album, “Black” is an unflinching meditation on greed and its moral consequences. Produced by Pierre Marchand and recorded at Morin Heights Studio in Quebec, the song presents a darker, more atmospheric side of McLachlan’s early work. The lineup for the album featured McLachlan on vocals and guitar, while Marchand contributed keyboards, bass, and programming, crafting an eerie, textured backdrop for the song’s haunting melody. While Solace helped McLachlan gain recognition in Canada, “Black” was never released as a single, instead remaining an album deep cut that resonated for its thematic depth and stark emotionality.

The lyrics present a narrator consumed by selfish desires, justifying their actions through the illusion of entitlement. “’Cause I want what is pleasing / All I take should be free” exemplifies the central theme of greed, as the speaker takes without remorse, unable—or unwilling—to confront the ethical implications of their choices. The imagery of walls closing in and colors fading to black suggests the inevitable collapse brought on by unchecked avarice, mirroring the self-destruction often associated with greed. Unlike other songs on this list that explore materialism or corporate excess, “Black” approaches the subject from a deeply personal and introspective angle, depicting greed as a moral and spiritual corrosion.

Read More: Top 10 Sarah McLachlan Songs

# 9 – Half Penny Two Penny – Styx

Released as part of Paradise Theatre in 1981, “Half Penny Two Penny” offered a searing critique of greed, corruption, and the American obsession with wealth. Written by guitarist James “J.Y.” Young, the track was recorded at Pumpkin Studios in Oak Lawn, Illinois, with production handled by Styx and engineer Gary Loizzo. The lineup featured Dennis DeYoung on keyboards and vocals, Tommy Shaw and Young on guitars, Chuck Panozzo on bass, and John Panozzo on drums. The album became the band’s only No. 1 record on the Billboard 200, cementing Styx’s dominance in early ’80s rock.

Lyrically, “Half Penny Two Penny” embodies the theme of excess and financial inequality. Lines like “Justice for money, what can you say? / We all know it’s the American way” reflect a cynical view of a society where wealth dictates morality. The song’s protagonist, disillusioned with greed-fueled corruption, dreams of escaping across the sea to reclaim his freedom. Compared to other songs on this list, which explore personal greed, “Half Penny Two Penny” broadens the scope, taking aim at systemic avarice and its impact on the working class. The song climaxes with a spoken-word section mourning the demolition of a childhood theater, symbolizing the loss of culture to commercial interests—a fitting metaphor for how greed erodes tradition and values.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Styx Songs

# 8 – Greed – Godsmack

Godsmack’s “Greed” delivered a seething condemnation of selfishness and manipulation, fitting seamlessly into the thematic framework of Awake, the band’s 2000 sophomore album. Recorded at River’s Edge Productions in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and produced by frontman Sully Erna and Andrew Murdock, the track channeled the band’s signature mix of hard-hitting riffs and primal aggression. Featuring Erna on vocals and rhythm guitar, Tony Rombola on lead guitar, Robbie Merrill on bass, and Tommy Stewart on drums, “Greed” captured the band’s relentless energy and confrontational attitude. Released as the third single from Awake, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, reinforcing Godsmack’s presence in the early 2000s metal landscape.

Read More: 10 Best Godsmack Songs

# 7 – Greedy Man – George Thorogood & the Destroyers

Recorded for Ride ‘Til I Die, released in 2003, “Greedy Man” was a blues-rock anthem steeped in swagger and excess. Produced by Jim Gaines and recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, the track embodied Thorogood’s signature style—raw, riff-driven, and unapologetically brash. The album featured Thorogood on vocals and guitar, along with long-time Destroyers Jeff Simon on drums, Billy Blough on bass, and Jim Suhler on rhythm guitar. While Ride ‘Til I Die didn’t chart as high as some of the band’s earlier releases, it continued Thorogood’s legacy of hard-hitting, blues-infused rock.

# 6 – I Want More – Tedeschi Trucks Band

Released on Let Me Get By in 2016, “I Want More” showcased the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s signature fusion of blues, rock, and soul while lyrically capturing the insatiable nature of human desire. The album was recorded at Swamp Raga Studios in Jacksonville, Florida, with Derek Trucks handling production alongside Bobby Tis. The track featured Susan Tedeschi on vocals and guitar, Derek Trucks on lead guitar, and a full ten-piece ensemble, including Kofi Burbridge on keyboards, Tim Lefebvre on bass, and dual drummers Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson. As part of an album that marked the band’s first fully independent effort, “I Want More” embodied both their technical prowess and their ability to craft songs with layered, evocative meaning.

Read More: Top 10 Tedeschi Trucks Band Songs

# 5 – Greedy Awful People – The Stooges

Released in 2007 on The Weirdness, “Greedy Awful People” delivered a raw, sneering critique of materialism and cultural decay. Recorded at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago and produced by Steve Albini, the album marked The Stooges’ first full-length studio release in 34 years. The track featured Iggy Pop on vocals, Ron Asheton on guitar, Scott Asheton on drums, and Mike Watt on bass. Despite anticipation surrounding the band’s return, The Weirdness received mixed reviews, though its aggressive, no-frills approach reflected the band’s classic punk ethos.

Read More: Top 10 Stooges Songs

# 4 – Greed – Ann Wilson

Released on Fierce Bliss in 2022, “Greed” was a searing reflection on excess, desire, and the insatiable hunger that drives human ambition. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama, the song featured Wilson’s commanding vocals alongside an impressive lineup of musicians, including Warren Haynes and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on guitar. The album, produced with a focus on raw, organic rock textures, captured Wilson’s enduring vocal power and ability to bring weight to emotionally charged themes. With its blues-inflected instrumentation and haunting atmosphere, “Greed” stood as a striking moment on Fierce Bliss, offering both a critique and a confession about the nature of wanting too much.

Read More: Top 10 Ann Wilson Songs

# 3 – Money – Pink Floyd

Released in 1973 on The Dark Side of the Moon, “Money” offered a cynical and biting critique of wealth, capitalism, and materialism. The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London between June 1972 and January 1973, with production handled by the band alongside engineer Alan Parsons. The lineup featured Roger Waters on bass and lead vocals, David Gilmour on guitars and backing vocals, Richard Wright on keyboards, and Nick Mason on drums. Known for its distinctive 7/4 time signature in the verses and the innovative use of tape loops to create the sound of cash registers and clinking coins, “Money” became one of Pink Floyd’s most commercially successful tracks, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping The Dark Side of the Moon become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Read More: Top 10 Pink Floyd Deep Tracks

# 2 – I Want It All – Queen

Do we really have to explain this one?

# 1 – Money (That’s What I Want) – The Beatles

Originally recorded by Barrett Strong in 1959, “Money (That’s What I Want)” became one of the most recognizable songs about greed when The Beatles recorded their own version for With the Beatles in 1963. Their rendition was recorded at EMI Studios in London on July 18 and 30, 1963, with George Martin handling production. The lineup featured John Lennon on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul McCartney on bass and backing vocals, George Harrison on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Ringo Starr on drums. Unlike some of their later, more polished recordings, this track leaned into raw energy, with Lennon’s urgent vocal delivery reinforcing the song’s unapologetic craving for wealth.

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One Response

Baybluesman February 15, 2025

Two more to offer up, from personal experiences:

Another Beatles’ tune, exploring (from my perspective) of ultimate greed is “Taxman” from the superlative “Revolver” album, released in 1966. 💰

A song than may be relatable by any young man, struggling to get his footing in life (which I was doing around the time this was released) , is “Money Changes Everything” from Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 album “She’s So Unusual”. (It can also apply at any age, unfortunately) 🙁