Topping the charts the week of September 28, 1985, was the Dire Straits classic ‘Money For Nothing,’ the second single from their album Brothers in Arms.
The song spent three weeks at #1 and gave the band their only chart-topping hit in either the U.S. or their native UK (where it peaked at #4).
Mark Knopfler got the idea for the song while shopping at a New York City appliance store. He overheard one of the workers commenting on televisions tuned to MTV. Several of the song’s lyrics are the man’s direct quotes.
The appliance worker didn’t get a co-writing credit, but Sting did. Knopfler nodded to MTV by including the network’s “I want my MTV” slogan as a refrain, and set it to the tune of The Police’s ‘Don’t Stand So Close to Me.’ He recruited Sting to sing that and other backing vocals. Later, the publishers demanded songwriting credit and royalties (against Sting’s will).
Hah, now look at them yo-yos, that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free
Now that ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell ya, them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb
[Chorus]
We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs
[Chorus]
Got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
He’s gotta move these refrigerators
Got to move these colour TVs
Look-ee here, look at it
[Verse 2]
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it sticking in the cameraman
Man, we could have some
And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?
He’s banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee
Oh, that ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Get your money for nothing, get your chicks for free
[Chorus]
We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these colour TVs
[Verse 3]
Listen here, now, that ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing, and your chicks for free
[Refrain]
Money for nothing, yeah
And the chicks for free
Get your money for nothing (What’s that?)
And the chicks for free, look at that, look at that
Get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (Bozos, I want my MTV)
Ah, get your money for nothing (I want my, I want my)
And the chicks for free (I want my MTV)
Meet Me In Montauk 
Didn’t know that about Sting getting an involuntary songwriting credit on this song. That really does seem like money for nothing (though his contribution does enhance the song)
Love that the lines came directly from the salesperson. Great tidbit!