One of my wife’s favorites by one of her favorite bands.
Of course, Barenaked Ladies had some BIG hits in the 2000s, including a live version of this one, but when “If I Had $1,000,000” was first released, it was 1992 on their major label debut, ‘Gordon’. However, this is one of the earliest written songs of Barenaked Ladies career, beginning with Stephen Page and Ed Robinson were camp counselors, One made up a song at camp of what they would all do with a million dollars.
Afterward, the two sat together and wrote it, partially of the made-up, on-the-spot lyrics and more they came up with to finish it.
It was released on their independant debut as a band, ‘Buck Naked’, then on the next couple of cassettes sold at shows, ‘Barenaked Lunch’ and ‘The Yellow Tape’ as well as the E.P. ‘Variety Recordings’, all before their first commercial release.
It was very popular at shows and is still beloved today when they play it live. When we’re “cash poor” or looking at finances and just wish we had some extra to go toward other things, it’s not unusual for my wife to start singing, “If I Had $1,000,000” to raise our spirits.
It made it’s way onto the Billboard Adult Top 40 and peaked at #37!
