Whose Version of “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” is Better? [VIDEOS]

soulhead_Valentine_SimplyRed

Recently, our staff was watching a movie and heard something really funky in the background that sounded eerily familiar.  After hearing the hook, we realized that it was “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention),” but it wasn’t the version we had thought was the original. Instead, it was a funkier, more slowed down take on the song that became a hit (#13 on the UK charts in 1985 and #28 on the Billboard U.S. pop chart) for mid-80s British Pop-Soul group Simply Red, following their smash “Holding Back the Years.”

The original, which was recorded by the Ohio-born Valentine Brothers (John and Billy) only three years prior in 1982, didn’t do as well as the Simply Red version, but did reach #41 on the Billboard R&B chart after spending 14 weeks there. However, it has a wicked early 80s boogie infused groove complete with a swanky intro saxophone. One funny tidbit is that Eddie Murphy played “Billy Valentine” in the classic comedy Trading Places, only one year after the original song was released. Coincidence? We think not.

Enjoy both versions below and let us know which you prefer.

Simply Red – “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” (remake)

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