Philadelphia in the 1970s was more than just cheesesteaks and the Liberty Bell; it was a pulsating heart of soul music, rivaling even Motown. Before the British Invasion reshaped the music landscape, the City of Brotherly Love had already carved its niche, thanks to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. This national platform spotlighted local talents and spurred a wave of music businesses. However, as teen idols faded, a grittier sound emerged from the streets – soul music. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the architects of the “Philadelphia Sound,” were at the forefront, crafting hits that resonated with raw emotion and social commentary. Their Philadelphia International Records became a powerhouse, and amidst their impressive catalog stands a song that continues to echo through generations, dissecting the complex relationship between humanity and wealth: “For the Love of Money” by The O’Jays.
The O'Jays performing "For the Love of Money", a classic soul song exploring the themes of wealth and greed in the 1970s Philadelphia music scene.
The Philly Sound: A Foundation Built on Soul
To understand the impact of “For the Love of Money,” it’s crucial to appreciate the sonic landscape from which it emerged. Philadelphia in the late 60s and early 70s was a hotbed of musical innovation. As Joe Tarsia, founder of Sigma Sound Studios, recalls, Gamble and Huff were already making waves, crafting hits for artists like Dusty Springfield and Wilson Pickett, even before establishing their own empire. Sigma Sound, opened in 1968, became the epicenter of this movement. Equipped with cutting-edge technology for the time, it attracted Gamble and Huff, along with producer Thom Bell, who were instrumental in shaping the lush, sophisticated sound that defined Philadelphia soul.
This “Philly Sound” was characterized by its rich orchestration, intricate arrangements, and a blend of sweet melodies with a driving rhythm section. Gamble and Huff assembled a core group of musicians – Ronnie Baker on bass, Earl Young on drums, and Norman Harris on guitar – who became the rhythmic backbone of countless hits. Augmented by talents like Bobby Eli and Roland Chambers on guitars, and the vibrant horns and strings arrangements of Bobby Martin and Thom Bell, the Philly Sound was both grand and deeply soulful, a sophisticated evolution of earlier R&B.
The O’Jays: From Ohio to Philadelphia International
The O’Jays, however, were not native to Philadelphia. Originating from Canton, Ohio, in the late 1950s, they started as a doo-wop group, The Mascots. Rechristened The O’Jays in 1961 as a tribute to a supportive DJ, they navigated the music scene for years, achieving minor R&B hits but facing potential disbandment by 1967. Their signing to Gamble and Huff’s Neptune label in 1968 marked a turning point. Though Neptune eventually folded, and the group became a trio, their partnership with Gamble and Huff was far from over.
Gamble and Huff, ever resilient, launched Philadelphia International Records, distributed by Columbia. This new venture provided the perfect platform for The O’Jays to reach their full potential. The songwriting and production duo crafted some of their most potent material for the group, resulting in back-to-back chart-toppers in 1972 with “Back Stabbers” and “Love Train.” These hits, recorded at Sigma Sound with the signature Philly Sound musicians, solidified The O’Jays’ place in music history and paved the way for their socially conscious masterpiece, “For the Love of Money.”
Crafting “For the Love of Money” at Sigma Sound
Recorded in the fall of 1973 at Sigma Sound Studios, “For the Love of Money” was a quintessential Gamble and Huff composition, tailor-made for The O’Jays’ powerful and gritty vocal delivery. Joe Tarsia meticulously captured the track, revealing the multi-layered process behind Gamble and Huff’s productions. Typically, a song would be built in stages across several sessions. The rhythm section, often a large ensemble of ten or more musicians to create the signature fullness, would be recorded first. Gamble and Huff would then refine the arrangements, crafting background vocals and vocal parts based on the instrumental tracks. The O’Jays would then add their lead and background vocals, often in separate sessions. Sweetening sessions followed, adding guitar solos, strings, and horns to further enrich the sonic texture. Finally, mixing brought all the elements together.
Sigma Sound in 1973 boasted a 16-track Scully recorder and a 32-input Electrodyne console. While Tarsia describes the console as “primitive” by modern standards, its limitations spurred creativity. Outboard equalizers and effects units like API EQs and Orban parametrics were used to sculpt the sound. The studio also featured a live chamber and EMT reverbs, adding natural and artificial ambience to the recordings.
“For the Love of Money” stands out for its innovative use of effects, deviating slightly from the more straightforward approach typically employed at Sigma. The iconic, relentless bass line, contributed by jazz bassist Anthony Jackson (who received a rare co-writing credit for his crucial part), is subtly altered by phasing. The ghostly “Money, money, money” background vocals, a haunting refrain that underscores the song’s message, are drenched in reverse echo, creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
Tarsia credits Todd Rundgren, another Philadelphia music innovator, with inspiring his experimentation with effects. Rundgren’s psychedelic approach to sound manipulation opened Tarsia’s ears to new sonic possibilities. For “For the Love of Money,” Tarsia employed a recently acquired Eventide phaser on the bass and drums, a bold move that Gamble surprisingly embraced. He also utilized Kepex noise gates on the vibraphone, triggered by the snare drum, to give the snare a unique tonal quality and rescue the vibraphone part from being cut from the mix. The reverse echo on the vocals, created by running the tape backward and recording echo on separate tracks, was another stroke of genius, enhancing the song’s sinister undertones. Even the opening bass “thump,” created by Gamble manipulating the echo pot during mixing, adds to the track’s distinctive and slightly unsettling sonic landscape.
More Than Just a Hook: The Financial Commentary of “For the Love of Money”
Beyond its innovative production, “For the Love of Money” resonates deeply because of its lyrical content and powerful message about the corrupting influence of wealth. Released in 1974, amidst economic uncertainty and social change, the song tapped into a growing cynicism about the pursuit of riches and the potential for greed to overshadow morality. The lyrics, penned by Gamble and Huff, don’t just condemn money outright; they explore its seductive power and the destructive paths people take “for the love of money.”
The song’s famous refrain, “Money, money, money, money, money,” isn’t a celebration; it’s a chilling mantra, a constant reminder of the pervasive allure of wealth. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of desperation and moral compromise, suggesting that the relentless pursuit of money can lead to corruption, betrayal, and ultimately, spiritual emptiness. In the context of the 1970s, and still relevant today, “For the Love of Money” acted as a stark social commentary, questioning the dominant narrative of financial success as the ultimate goal and prompting listeners to consider the ethical implications of their own relationship with money.
“For the Love of Money” became a massive hit, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and propelling The O’Jays’ Ship Ahoy album to gold status. The song’s impact extended beyond the charts. Its message resonated deeply with audiences, and it became a cultural touchstone, frequently used in films, television, and commercials to signify greed, corruption, or the allure of wealth. Even decades later, the song’s themes remain relevant, perhaps even more so in an era of increasing economic inequality and financial anxieties. “For the Love of Money” is not just a classic soul track; it’s a timeless exploration of the human condition and our enduring, often fraught, relationship with money. It serves as a potent reminder that while financial security is important, the relentless pursuit of wealth at all costs can lead down a dark and ultimately unfulfilling path.
