"Legal Tender" is the first single released by American new wave band the B-52's from their third studio album Whammy! (1983).
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Description
The lyrics of "Legal Tender" tell a story about printing counterfeit American currency, in which the protagonist outfits a basement with "jelly jars" and "heavy equipment", and learns to print money due to inflation and rising prices. A companion music video was produced featuring Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, in wigs of many shapes and colors.
"Legal Tender" is an upbeat, synthesizer-based track with a drum machine and hand-clap rhythm. The lead vocals are shared by Pierson and Wilson. The song appears as the opening track on the band's third studio album, Whammy! (1983), signifying that the band had altered their sound quite significantly for the record.
"Legal Tender" was performed live during the Whammy! tour, with Keith Strickland on synthesizer, and horn parts added. The band has also performed the song on various occasions throughout the years.
Chart performance
The single was the band's third Billboard Hot 100 chart entry, peaking at number 81. The song also reached number 9 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, along with album tracks "Whammy Kiss" and "Song for a Future Generation."
The song was a 1984 airplay and club hit in Brazil, and was included in the band's performance at the 1985 Rock in Rio festival. When the band toured Brazil in 2009, omitting the song from the live set, fans chanted for them to play it. Because of the song's popularity in Brazil, it appeared on the Brazilian version of Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation, on which it replaced "52 Girls". It is also featured on the group’s Nude on the Moon (2002) compilation album.