"The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)" - by: Ann Henson

"The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)" lyrics by Al Dubin and music by Harry Warren

“Perhaps the best way to describe the swing phenomenon is to say that it involves a contagious rhythmic feeling, a desire to snap the fingers, tap the toes, and get up and dance” (Young xiv).  “We’re in the Money”, also known as “The Gold Diggers’ Song”, is featured in the opening of the film Gold Diggers of 1933. From the moment you hear the band and see the close-up of Ginger Roger’s smiling face there is no arguing that “We’re in the Money” doesn’t fulfill its duty as a cheery song of a no-so-cheery era.  Known for it’s ironic take on the times, “We’re in the Money” epitomizes how music and movie were used as the medicine of the Great Depression.

As the Great Depression in almost every aspect shocked the United States. The creative minds of the music and film industry took it upon themselves to lighten the mood of the heavy times. “Swing provided Hollywood with its music and offered entertainment, elegance, and escape for a people down on their luck” (Jazz). The suffering people looked to the media for help and guidance out of the dark times. “Warner Brothers released Gold Diggers of 1933, reinforcing the point about the value of hard work” (Young 93). The music of the movies kept the people’s toes tapping and feet moving, and kept their mind from worrying about their troubles.

Al Dubin and Harry Warren

            Capturing the audience in the very first scene, “'We’re in the Money’ serves to announce the central themes of the ensuing narrative: the overriding importance of money in the Depression milieu and the strong links between money and sexuality” (Rubin 102). Along with the risqué dress of the women in the opening scene, the ironic lyrics of “Gold Diggers’ Song” quickly enthrall the viewers. "'We’re in the Money’ epitomizes the spunky attitudes espoused by many of the era’s musicals. Rogers even voices some of the lyrics in Pig Latin – for what reason, no one seems to know – and for a brief moment the audience can believe that it is also 'in the money'"(Young 93). “We’ve got a lot of what it takes to get along!” Al Dubin (lyrics) and Harry Warren (music) sure do know how to twist the situation into convincing a poor man he can be happy. The upbeat tempo and empowering lyrics, like “Old Man Depression you are through…We never see a headline about breadlines today,” Dubin and Warren are able to use the enthralling powers of music to help listeners forget about their troubles. These were the ways of musicians during the Great Depression, there was somewhat of an ironic twist; such trying times produced such upbeat, quick tempo music, fast and active dances, and funny, light-hearted lyrics.

            The Great Depression put the United States through one of its greatest struggles; hunger, fear, and sadness swept the nation. “Swing could also be explained less as a response to improving economic conditions than as a form of healthy compensation and escape from a disturbing world” (Stowe 25). It did just that, a momentary oasis in times of constant struggle, swing lifted hopes and heads. Dubin and Warren certainly made their mark with “We’re in the Money”, as renditions aplenty followed its original release. No matter where it is played, in a movie, as a cartoon theme song, or by many an artist, “We’re in the Money” retains its toe tapping, finger-snapping, get up and dance heart. 

“Swing did more than symbolize this movement; it participated in it direct, material ways. Swing was the preeminent musical expression of the New Deal: a cultural form of “the people,” accessible, inclusive, distinctively democratic, and thus distinctively American. (Stowe 13)

Gold Diggers of 1933 - "We're in the Money" 

Renditions and other uses:

Merrie Melodies Openings and Closings (1931 - 1969) - "We're in the Money Music"

Ted Lewis - The Gold Diggers' Song We're in the Money (1933)

Works Cited: 

"The Great Depression History in the Key of Jazz." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_depression.htm>.

         Rubin, Martin. Showstoppers: Busby Berkeley and the Tradition of Spectacle. New York: Columbia UP, 1993. Print.

        Stowe, David W. Swing Changes: Big-band Jazz in New Deal America. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1994. Print.

        Young, William H., and Nancy K. Young. Music of the Great Depression. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2005. Print.

By: Ann Henson