Money For Nothing

The 7 inch Single from Italy. Most Countries issued the 7 inch in a similar sleeve, including Australia, Canada, France, Holland, Portugal, Spain and the UK and the reverse of the sleeve had part two of the tour dates starting with October 25th 1985 in Oslo. The Japanese 7 inch came complete with lyrics, (no tour dates), and they all featured Love Over Gold (Live) on the B-side, except Canada. The B-side of the Canadian 7 inch was Expresso Love (Live). They all featured the same 4 minute 38 second version of Money For Nothing.

The reverse side of the sleeve of the USA 7 inch. The USA picture sleeve of the 7 inch featured the picture of that used by So Far Away in the UK, and a negative image on the back with USA tour dates. It also had Love Over Gold (Live) on the B-side.

Most other countries issued the single in the labels own custom sleeve, including Peru and Argentina (incidentally, both Peru and Argentina had One World as the B-side).

The 7 inch single from New Zealand. This single featured the lyrics on the reverse side of the sleeve and Love Over Gold (Live) on the B-side.

Chart Information
Country	Date of Entry	Highest Position	Weeks
UK (Top 75)	6th July 1985	4	16
USA (Top 40)	8th October 1985	1 (3 weeks)	13

Various promotional copies were issued around the world. Promos from Argentina and France matched their standard issues although the promo from Argentina featured a shorter version of 4 minutes 5 seconds. A double sided promo from USA featured the 4:05 version on both sides. In Spain a special re-released souvenir promo was issued in a picture sleeve with acts like Eric Clapton, Elton John and Tears For Fears from Knebworth, UK.

The single was re-released in some countries in the late eighties/early nineties. The USA released the single on their Back To Back Series with Twisting by the pool on the B-side.


The Label of the promo from South Africa. This very limited, hard to find promo features Money For Nothing (Edit Version [4:05]), on side A and Money For Nothing (7 inch Version[4:38]) on side B.	The Label of the 7 inch from the Phillipines. A rare pressing, contains the 4:38 minute version of Money For Nothing and Love Over Gold (Live) on the B side. Valued at £25, (US $40).

The Label for the double-sided promo from Mexico. This extremely rare promo features Mono and Stereo edited versions of Money For Nothing. The Playing times for each side is only 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

In the UK a DJ promo version was serviced to Radio Stations and DJ's with the 4:05 version on one side and the normal 4:38 on the other. Two UK Townhouse Acetates were also manufactured, a single-sided version with the 4:05 short edit and a double-sided Acetate with the 4:38 version on one side, and Love Over Gold (Live) on the other.

Those countries that issued a 12 inch version, (including Australia, Canada, Brazil and the UK), issued the full length version of Money For Nothing (8:24) but their sleeve design matched the 7 inch version, same sleeve, same listings on the back, even the B-side was the same. The B-side of the Canadian 12 inch limited single was Expresso Love (Live).

The Label of the 12 inch Single from Brazil, indicates the full length version only lasts for 4:38, the sleeve however, states a playing time of 8:24. Side one plays for well in excess of 8 minutes, which suggests a 'mis-understanding' between the manufacturer and the printer.

The Label of the 12 inch promo from Brazil. A rare and highly collectable promo, Double sided comprising of single version and long version. This comes in a picture sleeve, identical to the normal issue. I have wondered for some time if the tracks on these "Disco Promocional Mix" releases are in any way different from the standard 12 inch release. I have made the comparison, and I hear no difference, but I'm still not 100% convinced. If you know of any differences in the sound of the Mix between these Brazillian promos and the standard 12 inch issue, please let me know.

12 inch Promo from The USA. The 12 inch promo from The USA had all 3 versions of the song, the long edit (4:38), the edit (4:05) and on the B-side the album Version (7:04 ???) and the rear of the sleeve was plain.

A 12 inch radio sampler from Canada was issued, prior to official release, containing the edited version, (4:38), and the full length version, (8:24),on the B-side. This came in a plain black sleeve.

Images of both sides of the UK Picture Disc. The UK released a special edition Picture Disc which actually played as a 7 inch single, but because of its strange shape, looked strange going around on the turntable. The Picture Disc came complete with plinth to mount the disc when not in use, which was basically a piece of cardboard you folded to stand your Picture Disc up. Both sides of the disc contained the same tracks as its 7 inch counterpart but unfortunately, the quality of the sound was not as superior as any of the other formats. The image on the B-side contained the character from the Video.

The UK also released a 10 inch version of Money For Nothing. The sleeve design was the same as the 7 inch, and it contained the 4:38 version of the song. 2 very limited 10 inch simgle-sided acetates were manufactured, one containing the 4:38 version, of the song, the other was the 4:05 version. Iincidentally, information sheets, were normally printed, during the early manufacture of many acetates, and test pressings, which can add substantial value to any item it accompanies.

The UK also issued a 10 inch Test Pressing. Incidentally, most UK Test Pressings had a plain white label on the disc, giving no indication of Artist details, Track details or even Catalogue number. The only indication of the identity of the disc was the Catalogue number was engraved into the 'run-out' groove.

The sleeve for the 6 inch square flexi-disc of Money For Nothing from Russia. Part of a set, a 6 inch square yellow flexi, available about 1994. Quality of the recording is very poor, and this, like other flexis in this series, only contains part of the song. These flexis are extremely rare to find in good condition, value is about £30, (USA $50).

The sleeve for the 6 inch square flexi-disc of I Want My MTV from Russia. This blue flexi-disc contains about 90 secs of the introduction to Money For Nothing, and compliments the flexi above. I have been reliably informed that other Dire Straits extended tracks have been split when pressed as a flexi, these include Romeo & Juliet onto two flexi-discs, and Telegrah Road onto three.

Prior to the release of the 'Greatest Hits' album Money For Nothing a promo video was issued and this contained the Money For Nothing Video, the ad for the Money for Nothing album and a video of Tied Up by Yello.

Pepsi Band Aid Hits Album. Promoted as the biggest concert ever, the UK part of the Band Aid Concert of 1985 featured such diverse acts as Status Quo, Midge Ure, Paul McCartney and Mark Knopfler, and to capitalise on the event, Pepsi issued an Album featuring many of the acts on stage that night. The Album included Money for Nothing.

The UK silver disc for sales of 250,000 for the single Money For Nothing, presented to Phonogram UK.