Am I the weaker man
Because I understand
That love must be the master plan?

Where 'Diamonds And Pearls' really shines in unadorned glory on 'Money Don't Matter 2 Night'. There's a story behind Prince's career and it's tied up with management crises, his own vanity and the need to be loved, weighed against the desire to stretch the limits and the racial expectations of the marketplace. It's a story that probably won't ever be fully told, but much of it is captured and alluded to in this gorgeous song and the angry rap that precedes it.

Prince, man of many masks, sings a sweet, simple, straight, melodic blues and makes it a stand-out. Confusing little bastard, isn't he...

New Musical Express
October 5, 1991

Gavin Martin

"It's a story that probably won't ever be fully told, but much of it is captured and alluded to in this gorgeous song and the angry rap that precedes it."

Letra Jughead canta Tony M The New Power Generation

4 what?

Moneyminders are like parasites
They pose as wheelers and dealers 4 your rights
And most companies say that U need 'em!

But I kick back, observed, and watched them bleed 'em

Artists young and old

Where'd this unwritten law come from anyway?
That years after the contract U should still be gettin' paid?
Boy, I'd go broke and hit the skids
Before I take care of a rich sucker's kids

Hell, a contract ain't no pension plan

Years after this, my kids are still gonna make the grands

And U laughed at my brother, Little Richard
When he says U ain't gave him nothin'

Hell, that ain't no joke
His songs are still sellin', that man could die broke
So fellow artists, push 4 yours

And watch 4 Mr. Moneyminder as we settle the score

• Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
• Michael B. - drums
• Levi Seacer, Jr. - bass guitar [credited for rhythm guitar and backing vox]
• Co-written with Rosie Gaines

Money Don't Matter 2 Night

One more card and it's 22
Unlucky 4 him again
He never had respect 4 money it's true
That's why he never wins
That's why he never ever has enough 2 treat his lady right
He just pushes her away in a huff

And says – “Money don't matter 2night”

Money don't matter 2night
It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday
And it sure don't matter 2night

Look, here's a cool investment
They're tellin' him he just can't lose
So he goes out and tries 2 find a partner
But all he finds are users (Users)
All he finds are snakes in every color
Every nationality and size
Seems like the only thing that he can do is just roll his eyes

And say that money don't matter 2night (Don't matter)

It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (No, no, no, no)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright (Soul's alright)
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday (Don't matter)
And it sure don't matter 2night

Ooh-wee-ooh, don't matter
Well it don't matter 2night, no

Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason 2 send a child off 2 war
So what if we're controllin' all the oil
Is it worth a child dying 4? (Is it worth it?)
If long life is what we all live 4 then long life will come 2 pass
Anything is better than the picture of the child in a cloud of gas
And U think U got it bad

Money don't matter 2night (No, don't matter)
It sure didn't matter yesterday (Yesterday, ooh)
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (Flies away, flies away)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright (Make certain that your soul's alright)
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday
It sure don't matter 2night

Money don't matter 2night
It sure didn't matter yesterday (Yesterday, yesterday)
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (Flies away, flies away)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright
Money didn't matter yesterday
And it sure don't matter 2night

© 1991 Controversy Music - ASCAP

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

PURPLE PASSAGE
GOOD NEWS: PRINCE HAS A HOT NEW BAND BEHIND ON DIAMONDS AND PEARLS. BAD NEWS: THE PAST MASTER OF POP ISN'T READING THE MUSICAL SIGNS OF THE TIME

Review by David Browne

For at least one startling moment on Diamonds, hope rears its head. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night," the tale of a loser, is sung in a soulful growl that sounds utterly unaffected, and it sports a slinky, subtle groove that recalls the maturity of Stevie Wonder's early-'70s heyday. With more songs like that -- and perhaps some songwriting collaborators and an outside producer -- Prince might actually seem vital again. Otherwise, the imp continues spinning his wheels, the hole in the road growing a little deeper with each new record. C

While specific recording dates are not known, initial tracking took place in late August or early September, 1990 at Warner Pioneer Studio in Tokyo, Japan, while in Tokyo for two dates on the Diamonds And Pearls Tour (during the same set of sessions as Willing And Able, Strollin', 5 Women and Something Funky (This House Comes)). The track was included as the eighth track on the December, 1990, configuration of Diamonds And Pearls, but was moved to become the tenth track on the 1 March, 1991 and 8 May, 1991 configurations, where it remained for release. -PrinceVault

A second version was issued, which included footage of the song being performed by Prince and The New Power Generation.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Recorded	Warner Pioneer Studios, Japan, 1990

B-side	"Call the Law" "Push" (UK 12" and CD)

Released	March 3, 1992

• Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
• Michael B. - drums
• Levi Seacer, Jr. - bass guitar [credited for rhythm guitar and backing vox]
• Co-written with Rosie Gaines

Money Don't Matter 2 Night

One more card and it's 22
Unlucky 4 him again
He never had respect 4 money it's true
That's why he never wins
That's why he never ever has enough 2 treat his lady right
He just pushes her away in a huff

And says – “Money don't matter 2night”

Money don't matter 2night
It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday
And it sure don't matter 2night

Look, here's a cool investment
They're tellin' him he just can't lose
So he goes out and tries 2 find a partner
But all he finds are users (Users)
All he finds are snakes in every color
Every nationality and size
Seems like the only thing that he can do is just roll his eyes

And say that money don't matter 2night (Don't matter)

It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (No, no, no, no)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright (Soul's alright)
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday (Don't matter)
And it sure don't matter 2night

Ooh-wee-ooh, don't matter
Well it don't matter 2night, no

Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason 2 send a child off 2 war
So what if we're controllin' all the oil
Is it worth a child dying 4? (Is it worth it?)
If long life is what we all live 4 then long life will come 2 pass
Anything is better than the picture of the child in a cloud of gas
And U think U got it bad

Money don't matter 2night (No, don't matter)
It sure didn't matter yesterday (Yesterday, ooh)
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (Flies away, flies away)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright (Make certain that your soul's alright)
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday
It sure don't matter 2night

Money don't matter 2night
It sure didn't matter yesterday (Yesterday, yesterday)
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (Flies away, flies away)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright
Money didn't matter yesterday
And it sure don't matter 2night

© 1991 Controversy Music - ASCAP

l love this song so much

in fact l used to sing this song on a demo

for fun

ADONIA said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Money Don't Matter 2 Night

It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when U think U've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away (No, no, no, no)
That's when U find out that U're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright (Soul's alright)
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday (Don't matter)
And it sure don't matter 2night

l love this song so much

in fact l used to sing this song on a demo

for fun

me 2, it really is the standout track 4 me, when I first heard this I said "this is Prince" especially after hearing of certain money issues of his, and the changes of bands etc this song sorta tied things together

This is one of those songs that I think had more personal lyrics, and then changed lyrics for an official release

OldFriends4Sale said:

ADONIA said:

l love this song so much

in fact l used to sing this song on a demo

for fun

me 2, it really is the standout track 4 me, when I first heard this I said "this is Prince" especially after hearing of certain money issues of his, and the changes of bands etc this song sorta tied things together

This is one of those songs that I think had more personal lyrics, and then changed lyrics for an official release

l agree .....it certainly does stands out...

Money Don't Matter 2 Night video directed by Spike Lee

The song is notable for its promotional video, directed by Spike Lee. Featuring a poverty-stricken African-American family, with no shots of Prince, it was considered overly political and not "MTV friendly". A second version was issued, which included footage of the song being performed by Prince and The New Power Generation.

[img:$uid]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/djdaffy1227/Moneydontmatter2nightUK.jpg[/img:$uid] [img:$uid]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/djdaffy1227/Moneydontmatter2nightUKpicture.jpg[/img:$uid]

CocoRock said:

PRINCE AND THE NEW POWER GENERATION!!! THANK YOU!

I couldn't for the life of me remember who performed that song!

cborgman said:

CocoRock said:

PRINCE AND THE NEW POWER GENERATION!!! THANK YOU!

I couldn't for the life of me remember who performed that song!

wanting to make a joke about that is what brought me into this thread as well.

The B-side is a previously unreleased track "Call the Law", with lead vocals by Tony M., supplemented by Rosie Gaines on the chorus. Prince provides guitar solos throughout the song. The track was added to the New Power Generation release Goldnigga in 1993. The UK 12" single and CD release also included the album track "Push".

OldFriends4Sale said:

Track 1: Original Version/Track 2: Taken from the album "Diamonds And Pearls"

Tracklist on sleeve is slightly different to the disc.
1: Money Don't Matter 2 Night
2: Push
3: Call The Law (Non Album)

Band name listed as 'Prince & The N.P.G.' on the holographic part of the disc.

1: Controversy Music. Adm. by Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
2: Controversy Music. Adm. by Warner Chappell Music Ltd./Mattie Lucille Publishing. ASCAP
3: Mac Dog Productions/NPG Publishing. ASCAP
1 & 2 ℗ 1991, 3: ℗ 1992 WEA International Inc.
© 1992 WEA International Inc.
A Time Warner Company.
The copyright in this sound recording and artwork is owned by Warner Bros. Records Inc. in the U.S.A. and WEA International Inc. A Time Warner Company. for the world outside of the U.S.A.
Mastered by Nimbus
LC 0392
France: WE 739
Barcode: 0 9362-40419-2 4

I've always believed, this is one of the most under looked gems from Prince. I had no clue Spike Lee directed the film! That's always a PLUS! Crazy how MTV deemed it too political! What they rather people just consume big booty, vain pop teens, and nonsensical messages? They always have been fugitive to reason.

I can't get enough of this song! It's just a wonderful song. I love the vocals and the instruments! He could not sound any better, and the message could not be more important!

MTV played both versions of the video back to back when they world premiered it during TRL. I taped them on my VCR back then.

OMG, the Entertainment Weekly review reminded me of why i HATE music reviewers.

D & P isn't even a fave of mine, but if ever P actually WAS attempting to "read" the signs of the musical times, its his experimenting with hip hop here and the inclusion of his male dancers.

Secondly, don't they understand that true artistry doesn't capitulate to trends.

Very paternalistic review.

U made yourself great but now u need "outside help" to stay relevant. SMH!

And no mention of CREAM!?

ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS

Sunday, October 6, 1991
Section: Showtime
Page: 5D

OMISSIONS DIM THE BRIGHTNESS OF PRINCE'S 'DIAMONDS'

Prince & the New Power Generation
"Diamonds and Pearls"
Paisley Park (9 25379-2)

Rating: ***/****

The band also does a nice turn on mid-'70s pop on "Money Don't Matter 2 Night."

PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS

Monday, October 7, 1991
Section: FEATURES YO!
Page: 43

TV & ENTERTAINMENT

PRINCE: NO LONGER 'CREAM' OF THE CROP

by Jonathan Takiff, Daily News Staff Writer

The title track "Diamonds and Pearls" is a tender, glistening ballad with pretenses of pop classicism and the ever-popular "all I can really give is love" sentiment. (Later in the set, the recessionary theme comes back to haunt us on "Money Don't Matter 2 Night," this time with a tad of protest expressed over misplaced war expenditures.)

Love this song - feels like a Steely Dan song to me.

And I love how 22 hits 22 seconds.

sibly74 said: