One of George Harrison’s most famous contributions to the Beatles, “Taxman” was written when the band found out that they were making so much money the Crown was imposing a 95% tax on them, hence the lyrics, “There’s one for you, nineteen for me.”
Harrison’s song inspired Cheap Trick to make “Taxman, Mr. Thief,” another song that vilifies the IRS for taking everyone’s money. “Like the Beatles, even Dylan/Now, the taxman is out to get you”
Willie Nelson got so deep into tax debt that he released “The IRS Tapes” in 1992 just to pay back the government. Thanks to the album’s sales, $3.6 million went right into the IRS’s piggy bank.
Johnny Cash’s “After Taxes” plays with the different kinds of taxes that chip away at the paycheck. After federal, state, county, insurance, and withholding tax, what could you possibly afford with what’s left?
You’d think with all that tax revenue, our nation’s infrastructure would be better. Ozzy Osbourne’s “The Almighty Dollar” calls out those who hoard for themselves while everyone else’s quality of living goes down the tubes.
“Hands off my stack!” yells Pink Floyd in “Money,” their take on how people call for others to share the wealth but are reluctant to let go of their own wad of cash.
Johnny Paycheck has a question to ask: “How can I keep my hand around my woman with Uncle Sam’s hand in my pants?” His song “Me and the IRS,” was written when most of his profits went straight to paying off bills and taxes.
Baby You’re a Rich Man – The Beatles from feliXart on Vimeo.
“Baby You’re A Rich Man” may seem like a bitterly ironic song to play on Tax Day, but if you’re getting a nice big refund in the mail soon, this song’s for you.
If you owe taxes, maybe there’s one place where you can still afford to go on a shopping spree, and Macklemore wants to sing about it.
