I saw the Brains open for Devo at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta in 1980, and then as a headliner at the Milestone Club in Charlotte the night before I graduated from college. Both nights they rocked as hard as anyone I've seen in my life (400+ rock shows). I dind't even know this video existed. Outstanding.
The Brains put out a couple of great albums and an ep before disappearing years ago. Those records are classics, great songs by a great band. Back when Rock 'n' Roll still mattered!
While I can't speak for Mr. Gray, I can imagine him saying that he knows it wasn't the best song he has ever written, but it was the one that paid off his mortgage. Tom is a very humble and friendly person who has written more songs than you know.
"Money Changes Everything" is a song by American rock band The Brains from their eponymous debut studio album (1980). Originally released in 1978, the song was reissued as the lead single from the album in 1980, by Mercury Records. Frontman Tom Gray is credited as the sole writer of the song, while production was collectively helmed by The Brains and Bruce Baxter. The song was popularized in 1984 by Cyndi Lauper, who released a cover version of the song as a single from her debut studio album, She's So Unusual (1983).
Sold an early picture sleeve copy on their private label on Ebay - one bidder. I sent it with a note, saying he'd be happy with it, it was much better than the major label remake. Also the great drum flourish at the end, which for some stupid reason they didn't use on the WB version. He wrote back: he said, "I was the drummer in the Brains, and you're right! Much better, and we always ended it that way. There are only 100 copies with that sleeve!" RIP Charles Wolff - glad I made him happy.
I'm so glad you got to experience this performance first hand! While I was happy to have catch this on tape, it certainly is not like having seen it live. Thank You for stopping by and leaving your intelligent and insightful comment :^)
I don't think anyone's mentined this yet, but Tom Gray fronts a blues band these days called 'Delta Moon' and they are excellent, especially his playing slide along with Mark Johnson playing slide as well. There's a video of Delta Moon doing Money Changes Everything and it is great. It really is a song that works in multiple styles, though Delta Moon's is my own favourite.
yeah Lex. I saw The Brains a few times in Atlanta. First time I saw em was at the greatest little rock venue in the world, imo- Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom. Brian Eno was in attendance, and was seated not far from our table. That was a great era for the Atlanta music scene. B52s, early REM, The Brains, Pylon, Love Tractor, and one of my alltime favorite bands- The Swimming Pool Q's. Fun times.
Thank you for posting The Brains doing "Money changes everything". The Brains were one of the best Bands I saw at Emerald City in Cherry Hill, NJ. They put out 2 albums a debut"The Brains" and "Electronic Eden". The song was written by a Philly guy Eric Bazillian and was a hit for Cyndi Lauper (Blue Angel..eeeek), yeah i am an old geezer!!! Saw lots of great and overlooked punk bands through the years:)
Keep this vid up FOREVER, Tom! I was SO HAPPY to find it! I've always loved Cindy's versions, but to find yours was....The Best! I watch it every so often.
Thanks for the comment! You are correct about the two Brains albums. To clear up any confusion though, the song "Money Changes Everything" was written by Tom Gray. The song "Someone Like Me" was written by Eric Bazillian. Both were subsequently recorded by Cyndi Lauper.
Wow....A great video!. It's one of my favorate songs. What many don't realize is, this song is actually an inditement of the music industry and how money rules in it. Thanks for posting it!
I tended bar at the Georgian Terrace Hotel next door to the Agora Ballroom on Peachtree 1979 /80. I had free admit to all the shows as I lubricated the Agora staff gratis. I am fortunate enough to have 2 of the LP's on vinyl . I also got to see Rick Price dive from the stage onto a guy who was pelting the band with ice cubes. Golden.
Thanks for posting this. Never saw The Brains live. Bought their album when I heard their great instrumental "Trespass" on the radio, and loved the whole LP. Jealous of all you '80s-era Atlantans. Cheers!
I discovered this version a few months ago and that it's his song! didn't know all these years, only knew and loved Cindys cover. Fantastic performance and I watch it regularly!
Yes, you are correct, that was Charles and yes he was the original drummer. For additional info, please click the (more) button in the "about this video" box. Thanks for watching!
played at the channel in Boston in early 80s,blew me away,left soaked,took a wizz after their set looked next to me and Tom was doing his thing also,stuck my other hand out said you guys were great and a shook it like it was OK,it was,honered
I remember taking MARTA everyday to Georgia State. Every now and then Tom would get on around East Lake(?). I heard he was a court recorder at the time. It was almost like the scene in Quadrophenia where the hero sees Sting as a bellboy the following day after a night of carousing.
I saw them several times at that club near the Emory Bike Shop, it's gone now too. But this video is just a bunch of guys playing together not the regular band as justpassnthru says. The Brains were a very tight performing group, more hard rock than New Wave. Tom wasn't the greatest singer, not the worst either, but that probably held them back. (cont'd next post)
I was living, working & surviving in Atlanta during the era of The Brains, Paper Lions, Heartfixers and other local favorites... last saw The Brains at the Moonshadow Saloon out near Decatur. I'm sure there's probably a skyscraper on that spot now. Ah... youth.
The Album " The Brains " from the 80's is absolutely awesome if you don't have it get it also... " Electronic Eden " is as good or better... Great Band.
I am definately a C.L. fan! and without the exposure from Cyndi's version, the song would probably just have faded into oblivion. I agree with Stuart below, that Cyndi made it her own! At the same time, it makes me proud for "local boy done good" Tom Gray, who readily acknowledges that Cyndi paid off his mortgage and bought him a few cars with the royalties :-) Money from out of the sky! Money, indeed, DOES change everything! Thanks for commenting!
A great song by an underrated songwriter. And regardless of your opinion of Ms. Lauper I guarantee Tom Gray thanks God for Cyndi everyday. Cyn would always mention Tom and the Brains back in the 80's.
Comments like these make it worth the effort to post these videos! Spoken like a true Atlantan! Believe me...You get the same looks from most people in Atlanta these days when trying to explain. If you weren't there, you just wouldn't understand!!!
Yes, Harvest Moon Saloon, right next door (or one over) from Ken's Tavern... 25 cent draft, Ken's "home made chili" & the buck Polish Sausages were many meals for me back then. Out the back door and straight out Lindberg from that, home, when I wasn't actually sleeping in the breakroom of Carolina Lumber & Supply, down Piedmont about a block, then down a little trail across from Tower Package Store, where Carolina was (is) /under/ I-85, on Plaster Bridge Road...
@WDockery YES! I remember Tinsly Ellis and the Heartfixers with Chicago Bob Nelson! Saw them repeatedly at The Harvestmoon Saloon (sister store to Moonshadow) Even have a vinyl LP of them recorded AT the Moonshadow. I don't know what's at the old Moonshadow site now... I will have to go investigate and report back ;^) Thanks for stopping by!
Sadly, cynically, Tom had it right. A punk anthem if ever there was one. The Brains rocked my skinny-tie world, from "See Me" to "Girl in A Magazine" to "Raylene" to surf-meets-electronica "Treason." Maybe before I die the Brains will be on CD.
(cont'd from above) The songs I love the most were Hypnotized, Dream Life, Raeline, Gold Dust Kids, and Asphalt Wonderland. I have been searching for some remastered CDs but haven't found them. I have the original vinyl, The Brains, Electronic Eden, and Dancing Under Streetlights. If I can get my old DJ rig hooked up to my PC I'm going to rip them for myself. Anybody know if there's a fan club left? It would be cool to swap stuff. buck39yahoo
Harvest Moon was the one just south of Broadview on Piedmont. Moon Shadow was on Johnson Rd. just off of Braircliff. I think Channel 5 WAGA was just a stones throw away.
Sometimes, "drive-by comments" are the best! To be honest...I'd forgotten Bryan was the bass player for the Brains. I'm pretty sure the bass player on this night was The Swimming Pool Q's bass player. If you go to MySpace and search "The Brains" you should find a page maintained by a friend of mine that can tell you all about it! Cheers, thanks and good luck!
That would be a rare find indeed! However, if you do a Google search you can turn up some mp3 downloads. Not quite as cool as having the vinyl in hand, but better than nothing.
Which one was just south of Broadview Plaza? Was that the Harvest Moon? I think that strip of shops is still there, but everything north on Piedmont is gone.
I did not know there was an original song of it. Because of this video I started to find the original song It sounds more rock. Cindy's version is so pop and good but the original is better, specially those riffs!!!
If you didn't happen to live in Atlanta in the 80's, the chances of you hearing of these guys are probably one in a million. Then again, it was more than one in a million that you would find this video...hmmm, maybe you should go, right now, and buy a lottery ticket! :^D (don't forget to cut me in on the winnings, if you should win) Sorry, I digress... Thanks for watching and commenting! :^)
Funny you should phrase it that way... Tom says the same thing! Without Cyndi's version, this song would have faded into obscurity years ago. As it turned out, Cyndi's version bought Tom a house and a couple of cars. Not a bad return on a song written some 25-30 years ago. I'm really sorry you didn't enjoy this bit of musical history...at least you didn't ask for 4 minutes and 17 seconds of your life back ;^)
Harsh indictment. First mitigating factor: technically, he rhymes "everything" with "thing." Next, that line of the chorus changes over the course of the song, once to "We don't pull the strings." And that evolution makes a difference. Also, the lyrics fit the emotions and attitude. So, if your criticism comes from having internalized some rule against lazy rhymes, the lyric in this instance is an exception that works, if you're willing to see how.
A harsh indictment especially considering that version of "Man in the Box" you have posted. But rather than giving MY opinion of that performance, I'm content with letting the numbers tell the story. If Tom's performance of "Money Changes Everything" was bad, then at least he murders his own song and not Alice in Chains songs.
R.I.P. Tom Gray ☹
One of the truest songs ever written!
I will miss you forever, Tom!
What an incredible voice
Now this is songwriting
I saw the Brains open for Devo at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta in 1980, and then as a headliner at the Milestone Club in Charlotte the night before I graduated from college. Both nights they rocked as hard as anyone I've seen in my life (400+ rock shows). I dind't even know this video existed. Outstanding.
The Brains put out a couple of great albums and an ep before disappearing years ago. Those records are classics, great songs by a great band. Back when Rock 'n' Roll still mattered!
True song 🎵 😊
I know and love Tom Gray. Great person, Monster lap steel wizard. This truly is one of the iconic songs, of any era. Thanks.
HELL YEAH!!
@mackdaddymojo he's doing OK considering.
The Brains ROCK!!!! Many a night spent at Rumors, The Moonshadow, 688, etc......
While I can't speak for Mr. Gray, I can imagine him saying that he knows it wasn't the best song he has ever written, but it was the one that paid off his mortgage.
Tom is a very humble and friendly person who has written more songs than you know.
"Money Changes Everything" is a song by American rock band The Brains from their eponymous debut studio album (1980). Originally released in 1978, the song was reissued as the lead single from the album in 1980, by Mercury Records. Frontman Tom Gray is credited as the sole writer of the song, while production was collectively helmed by The Brains and Bruce Baxter. The song was popularized in 1984 by Cyndi Lauper, who released a cover version of the song as a single from her debut studio album, She's So Unusual (1983).
Sold an early picture sleeve copy on their private label on Ebay - one bidder. I sent it with a note, saying he'd be happy with it, it was much better than the major label remake. Also the great drum flourish at the end, which for some stupid reason they didn't use on the WB version. He wrote back: he said, "I was the drummer in the Brains, and you're right! Much better, and we always ended it that way. There are only 100 copies with that sleeve!" RIP Charles Wolff - glad I made him happy.
I'm so glad you got to experience this performance first hand! While I was happy to have catch this on tape, it certainly is not like having seen it live.
Thank You for stopping by and leaving your intelligent and insightful comment :^)
What a fantastic song !
Has always been a favorite of mine. Thanks for the comment!
It Sure Does…
I LOOOVE this Performance! To see and hear Tom doing HIS Song is great. I watch it every week or so.Those Lyrics !
I'm really glad you enjoyed this! It's comments like these that make it all worthwhile to post vids like this.
my frienda and i saw the brains, what 30 to to 40 times? our favorite atlanta band. we always had a blast. thanks for posting.
"She said well, yeah, I know, but when
we did there was one thing we weren't
really thinking of"..Lyrical genius
We think we know what we're doin'...but we don't pull the striNGS...it's all in the past now. Money changes everything.
Play It, play it! So happy I came across this by the writer. I watch it every so often
Watch this every so often. Great Performance. Biggest Song you know who ever did!
I don't think anyone's mentined this yet, but Tom Gray fronts a blues band these days called 'Delta Moon' and they are excellent, especially his playing slide along with Mark Johnson playing slide as well. There's a video of Delta Moon doing Money Changes Everything and it is great. It really is a song that works in multiple styles, though Delta Moon's is my own favourite.
yeah Lex. I saw The Brains a few times in Atlanta. First time I saw em was at the greatest little rock venue in the world, imo- Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom. Brian Eno was in attendance, and was seated not far from our table.
That was a great era for the Atlanta music scene. B52s, early REM, The Brains, Pylon, Love Tractor, and one of my alltime favorite bands- The Swimming Pool Q's.
Fun times.
Do you remember Sea level, and the Dixie Dreggs?
Great Bands,underrated 😊
@@paulsnyder744 yeah
Thank you for posting The Brains doing "Money changes everything". The Brains were one of the best Bands I saw at Emerald City in Cherry Hill, NJ. They put out 2 albums a debut"The Brains" and "Electronic Eden". The song was written by a Philly guy Eric Bazillian and was a hit for Cyndi Lauper (Blue Angel..eeeek), yeah i am an old geezer!!! Saw lots of great and overlooked punk bands through the years:)
Damn! What's left to say, Tom, except thanks for writing the greatest rock and roll song Cyndi Lauper ever recorded (or ever will record).
andyinoregon TRUE! I DIG him doing his song! FANTASTIC to find this!!!
You got that Right!
If you want to attack someone, attack Madonna, Beyoncé and Gaga. Those are no talent humans. Cyndi Lauper is on our side and was a new wave artist.
THAT'S True
Keep this vid up FOREVER, Tom! I was SO HAPPY to find it! I've always loved Cindy's versions, but to find yours was....The Best! I watch it every so often.
Thanks for the comment! You are correct about the two Brains albums. To clear up any confusion though, the song "Money Changes Everything" was written by Tom Gray. The song "Someone Like Me" was written by Eric Bazillian. Both were subsequently recorded by Cyndi Lauper.
back in 1980 this was one of my fav songs - thanks for posting
Timeless song?
Great band my friend lent me that first album i never forgot it.Cheers
Wow....A great video!.
It's one of my favorate songs.
What many don't realize is, this song is actually an inditement of the music industry and how money rules in it.
Thanks for posting it!
Frankly, it indicts more than just the music industry; Money does, indeed, Change *Everything*!
I tended bar at the Georgian Terrace Hotel next door to the Agora Ballroom on Peachtree 1979 /80. I had free admit to all the shows as I lubricated the Agora staff gratis. I am fortunate enough to have 2 of the LP's on vinyl . I also got to see Rick Price dive from the stage onto a guy who was pelting the band with ice cubes. Golden.
Excellent!! I dedicate that song to my friend, John who turned me on to the Brains!!
Dig it, I shared with all my friends!
Deserves all the credit ….brilliant .
Thanks for posting this. Never saw The Brains live. Bought their album when I heard their great instrumental "Trespass" on the radio, and loved the whole LP. Jealous of all you '80s-era Atlantans. Cheers!
BRILLIANT!!
I discovered this version a few months ago and that it's his song! didn't know all these years, only knew and loved Cindys cover. Fantastic performance and I watch it regularly!
Yes, you are correct, that was Charles and yes he was the original drummer. For additional info, please click the (more) button in the "about this video" box. Thanks for watching!
love lasts forever, until she says, met a new guy that has lots of money. great song from a great band that should have been bigger.
❤️ The Brains.
Love it!!
played at the channel in Boston in early 80s,blew me away,left soaked,took a wizz after their set looked next to me and Tom was doing his thing also,stuck my other hand out said you guys were great and a shook it like it was OK,it was,honered
You know it! Rockin' good show EVERY time!!!
Thanks for posing this! Never saw live.
I'm glad you found this video, thanks for the comment! I'm happy it conjured up good memories.
I remember taking MARTA everyday to Georgia State. Every now and then Tom would get on around East Lake(?). I heard he was a court recorder at the time. It was almost like the scene in Quadrophenia where the hero sees Sting as a bellboy the following day after a night of carousing.
Met them in 1980 at a pizza place on peachtree when I was having a beer with Chris Wood of the Restraints...
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Also thank you for adding this vid to your favorites!
I saw them several times at that club near the Emory Bike Shop, it's gone now too.
But this video is just a bunch of guys playing together not the regular band as justpassnthru says.
The Brains were a very tight performing group, more hard rock than New Wave. Tom wasn't the greatest singer, not the worst either, but that probably held them back.
(cont'd next post)
I was living, working & surviving in Atlanta during the era of The Brains, Paper Lions, Heartfixers and other local favorites... last saw The Brains at the Moonshadow Saloon out near Decatur. I'm sure there's probably a skyscraper on that spot now. Ah... youth.
sorprendente!!!
Fantastic!
Excellent band original of money changes everything I used to own there very first album 80 or 81 was promo
Great Performance Of A Great Song! Listen to it regularly!!!
I am so glad you enjoy this rendition of this classic song. It was a magical night.
Thanks for posting this The Brains live!!
Thanks for the great comment, spoken like a TRUE Atlantan! I'm glad you found this vid and enjoyed it.
The Album " The Brains " from the 80's is absolutely awesome if you don't have it get it also... " Electronic Eden " is as good or better...
Great Band.
Awsome. I never heard these guys before.
Thank you muntron for your continued support! It's nice to share this stuff with someone who appreciates it!
I LOVE THE BRAINS THEY GO REAL NICE WITH THE VAPORS AND OTHER NEW_WAVERS from the 8O's
I am definately a C.L. fan! and without the exposure from Cyndi's version, the song would probably just have faded into oblivion. I agree with Stuart below, that Cyndi made it her own! At the same time, it makes me proud for "local boy done good" Tom Gray, who readily acknowledges that Cyndi paid off his mortgage and bought him a few cars with the royalties :-) Money from out of the sky! Money, indeed, DOES change everything! Thanks for commenting!
A great song by an underrated songwriter. And regardless of your opinion of Ms. Lauper I guarantee
Tom Gray thanks God for Cyndi everyday. Cyn would
always mention Tom and the Brains back in the 80's.
Comments like these make it worth the effort to post these videos! Spoken like a true Atlantan!
Believe me...You get the same looks from most people in Atlanta these days when trying to explain.
If you weren't there, you just wouldn't understand!!!
Yes, Harvest Moon Saloon, right next door (or one over) from Ken's Tavern... 25 cent draft, Ken's "home made chili" & the buck Polish Sausages were many meals for me back then. Out the back door and straight out Lindberg from that, home, when I wasn't actually sleeping in the breakroom of Carolina Lumber & Supply, down Piedmont about a block, then down a little trail across from Tower Package Store, where Carolina was (is) /under/ I-85, on Plaster Bridge Road...
fkn a man
@WDockery YES! I remember Tinsly Ellis and the Heartfixers with Chicago Bob Nelson! Saw them repeatedly at The Harvestmoon Saloon (sister store to Moonshadow) Even have a vinyl LP of them recorded AT the Moonshadow. I don't know what's at the old Moonshadow site now... I will have to go investigate and report back ;^)
Thanks for stopping by!
Rick lives in Stone Mountain. A friend of mine knows him well. I think he has a new band and works on racecars now.
Yes, that was Charles Wolff. and yes he is very much missed.
still stands the test of time.. kicks ass
@59ltg i have an original copy,, but no turntable to play it on..
Sadly, cynically, Tom had it right. A punk anthem if ever there was one. The Brains rocked my skinny-tie world, from "See Me" to "Girl in A Magazine" to "Raylene" to surf-meets-electronica "Treason." Maybe before I die the Brains will be on CD.
RIP Tom Gray
RIP TOM GRAY😢
I think you are talking about Loehman's plaza
(cont'd from above)
The songs I love the most were Hypnotized, Dream Life, Raeline, Gold Dust Kids, and Asphalt Wonderland. I have been searching for some remastered CDs but haven't found them.
I have the original vinyl, The Brains, Electronic Eden, and Dancing Under Streetlights. If I can get my old DJ rig hooked up to my PC I'm going to rip them for myself. Anybody know if there's a fan club left? It would be cool to swap stuff.
buck39yahoo
i have all 3 albums, but it was almost 30 years ago. would like tind it on cd?
I have an original copy .. :) but no turntable to play it on..
@ugabob1 Thank-You! I'm proud to have a comment from someone who knows!!!
Cheers !
Harvest Moon was the one just south of Broadview on Piedmont. Moon Shadow was on Johnson Rd. just off of Braircliff. I think Channel 5 WAGA was just a stones throw away.
R.I.P. Tom Gray.
688 SPRING ST.!
Sometimes, "drive-by comments" are the best! To be honest...I'd forgotten Bryan was the bass player for the Brains. I'm pretty sure the bass player on this night was The Swimming Pool Q's bass player. If you go to MySpace and search "The Brains" you should find a page maintained by a friend of mine that can tell you all about it! Cheers, thanks and good luck!
Was that Charles at the very end of the clip? RIP CW...
this could have been on a replacements album......awesome
That would be a rare find indeed! However, if you do a Google search you can turn up some mp3 downloads. Not quite as cool as having the vinyl in hand, but better than nothing.
@justpassnthru Which one was near Emory and which one was near Broadview Plaza on Piedmont? I'm old and get them confused.
Which one was just south of Broadview Plaza? Was that the Harvest Moon? I think that strip of shops is still there, but everything north on Piedmont is gone.
I did not know there was an original song of it. Because of this video I started to find the original song It sounds more rock. Cindy's version is so pop and good but the original is better, specially those riffs!!!
Too funny!
If you didn't happen to live in Atlanta in the 80's, the chances of you hearing of these guys are probably one in a million.
Then again, it was more than one in a million that you would find this video...hmmm, maybe you should go, right now, and buy a lottery ticket! :^D
(don't forget to cut me in on the winnings, if you should win)
Sorry, I digress...
Thanks for watching and commenting! :^)
Cool story! Thanks for commenting ;^)
Funny you should phrase it that way... Tom says the same thing! Without Cyndi's version, this song would have faded into obscurity years ago. As it turned out, Cyndi's version bought Tom a house and a couple of cars. Not a bad return on a song written some 25-30 years ago.
I'm really sorry you didn't enjoy this bit of musical history...at least you didn't ask for 4 minutes and 17 seconds of your life back ;^)
Harsh indictment. First mitigating factor: technically, he rhymes "everything" with "thing." Next, that line of the chorus changes over the course of the song, once to "We don't pull the strings." And that evolution makes a difference. Also, the lyrics fit the emotions and attitude. So, if your criticism comes from having internalized some rule against lazy rhymes, the lyric in this instance is an exception that works, if you're willing to see how.
It sounds like HEROES by David Bowie
Close but I think it stands on its own.
I have no ideas what Heroes is about lol
is this the brains that is now currently lead by Rene de la muerte?
+Ricardo Castillo Nope. Different time, different city
Ok thanks
ok Doc, I'll stop with the hard sell...just whenever you're ready.
best atlanta band ever.. foolowed by the ga satellites, and the weasels
lol how do u write that song? It's a dialog between A,B and C guys that u forced to get a song.
A harsh indictment especially considering that version of "Man in the Box" you have posted. But rather than giving MY opinion of that performance, I'm content with letting the numbers tell the story.
If Tom's performance of "Money Changes Everything" was bad, then at least he murders his own song and not Alice in Chains songs.