#2 The Brains - Money Changes Everything (Mercury Records, 1980)

Tom Gray passed away on October 17th at Emory Dekalb Hospital after a long and incredibly brave battle with cancer. Rest In Peace.

The Brains were a (sort of) New Wave band from Atlanta, GA that released a pretty good album on the Mercury label in 1980. The band was led by songwriter/organist Tom Gray and may have languished in obscurity if it wasn't for Cyndi Lauper who lifted "Money Changes Everything" for her debut album. This is the superior original version.

Tom Gray continued to perform this song as a bluesy tune with his band Delta Moon.

[shazam-rareobscuremusic]

Tom Gray passed away on October 17th at Emory Dekalb Hospital after a long and incredibly brave battle with cancer. Rest In Peace.

[KellymatthewBarnes]

Cyndi’s Version is a Faithful Interpretation with just enough variation to make it distinctive without being disrespectful.

[andyinoregon]

I can promise all the Cyndi Lauper haters that Tom Gray appreciated every royalty check he received because she recorded his song.

[thekingofbohemia]

Too bad about Tom Gray. I saw the Brains open for U2 in March 1980. Later that year the band came back and played in Boulder Colorado. They were walking around the Boulder Mall before the show and were pleasantly surprised that we recognized them. They were very friendly. Great band. Buzzsaw guitar as I remember.

[larryp.]

I played this song and several others off of this solid album, while doing a DJ stint at WGHR (Green Hornet Radio) at Southern Tech in Marietta GA in the late '70's. It was one of the most requested albums. Great stuff. RIP Tom Gray.

[dougroman]

I bought this album on a lark and loved it. I was surprised when I heard Cyndi Lauper sing their songs on the car radio

[timbrough]

RIP Tom Gray. The Brains deserved so much more than to be a trivia question for Cyndi Lauper fans (but I'm sure her cover kept the band in Beer Money). Two great albums and an EP that really deserve to be rediscovered and reissued.

[dayglodaydream]

RIP Tom Gray. You rocked us until the end.

[td]

I just found out that this was a cover. Cyndi Lauper knew how to pick good songs.

[kiltedwolf]

I knew Tom through a friend who went to HS with him. Saw many Brains shows at the Agora and Club 688. I remember one night when the Brains opened for the B-52s and blew them off the stage (that might have been at the Fox). The Brains weren't just a good band. They were great and should have been much bigger. Rick Price was a solid guitarist while original drummer Charlie Wolf was a beast. Heavy hitter. Then, there was Tom on that synthesizer. .at a time when syncs were just finding a home in progressive rock. Tom was intrigued by them. If memory serves me, he met the Moog inventor. I still listen to both vinyl albums to this day. And even though "Money Changes Everything" made him wealthy, his body of work is substantial. My favorite Brains song remains. . "Gold Dust Twins". A classic. RIP Tom. You left your mark. Charlie passed away long before Tom. I hope his memory remains as well.

[josephnash]

I remember in 1981 I was a stoner and perpetual college student and my first girlfriend told me that I would never amount to anything and she was going to drop me like a bad habit and then I heard this song that seemed to exactly capture the moment.

[Planetcharr]

i'm surprised of the some of the comments that people didn't know that Cyndi covered this song ... She has always given props to The Brains for this song and has often acknowledged that she covered it...and the fact that she is a fan of their music. Cyndi is not a produced artist like the acts of today ... she knows her underground shit - she paid her dues and along the way acknowledged those sounds on her first album. Tom Gray co-wrote a song with Cyndi on her True Colors album.

[ptteach]

Thanks for a great song Mr. Gray, now RIP

[kevinmichaellevine]

I had no idea this was a cover for Cyndi Lauper. Love the song. Both versions.

[MONSTERGRENDEL]

Saw The Brains in Burlington VT at Hunts ... sheesh ... how many years ago?
Great show - great band!!

[coffeecoffee]

Tom, you were the first musician I made friends with when I first came to Atlanta. Miles and miles of love to you up there.

[kevinr.mcnally]

Out of the blue I started singing "Money" over my coffee this morning and it's been in my head all day. So happy to find the original again after so many years. Thanks.

[marktirado]

After 30 years something I found out Cyndi's money...is a cover! I must say both versions are GREAT!

[rpm]

I have loved Cyndi Lauper's version of this song for decades and only today found the original. And it's awesome, kudos.

[troutmaster]

I had this Demo Album A great Musician. May he Rest in Peace.They never got played on the Radio They were new wave before new wave my opinion..This is Suberb Version .