Don't Take the Money

File:Lorde Brisbane Nov 2017 (cropped).jpg]]

"Don't Take the Money" was co-written by Jack Antonoff, the sole member of Bleachers, and New Zealand singer Lorde (credited under her birth name Ella Yelich-O'Connor){{cite news |last1=Yoo |first1=Noah |title=Bleachers Shares New Song "Don't Take the Money": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/69779-bleachers-share-new-song-dont-take-the-money/ |access-date=29 December 2018 |work=Pitchfork |date=31 March 2017}} with production input from Antonoff, Greg Kurstin and Vince Clarke.{{cite AV media notes|others=Bleachers|title=Gone Now|year=2017|publisher=RCA Records}} Lorde provides uncredited backing vocals on the final chorus.{{cite news |last1=Geslani |first1=Michelle |title=Bleachers and Lorde link up on new song "Don't Take the Money" — listen |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/bleachers-and-lorde-link-up-on-new-song-dont-take-the-money-listen/ |access-date=29 December 2018 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=31 March 2017}} The pair wrote the song during a late night studio session. Antonoff proceeded to work for a year on the track "twisting it around".{{cite news |last1=McDermott |first1=Maeve |title=Bleachers shares new song 'Don't Take the Money' about Lena Dunham |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/03/31/bleachers-jack-antonoff-new-song-dont-take-the-money-lorde-lena-dunham/99869504/ |access-date=29 December 2018 |publisher=USA Today |date=31 March 2017}}

According to Antonoff, the song's title is a phrase he frequently repeats to himself; it is not about "actual money" but rather a motivation phrase used in different contexts. The track was inspired by Lena Dunham, Antonoff's girlfriend at the time. In an interview with Newsweek, Antonoff also said that the song's title means "don't sell out"; the expression describes a lover continuing a relationship despite its misfortunes. The artwork for the song is a shot of Antonoff and American actress and drag queen Flawless Sabrina, with her face out of frame.{{cite news |last1=Defebaugh |first1=William |title=Flawless Sabrina Stars in Bleachers' "Don't Take the Money" Single Art |url=https://vmagazine.com/article/flawless-sabrina-stars-single-art-bleachers-dont-take-money/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=V |date=6 April 2017 |archive-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233351/https://vmagazine.com/article/flawless-sabrina-stars-single-art-bleachers-dont-take-money/ |url-status=dead }}

"Don't Take the Money" is composed in the key of D-flat major with a tempo of 110 beats per minute. Its chord progression follows a basic sequence of D{{music|flat}}–G{{music|flat}}–B{{music|flat}}m–G{{music|flat}}.{{cite web |title=Klara Louise "Don't Take the Money" Sheet Music (Piano Solo) in Db Major |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0182628#ProductDetails |website=Musicnotes.com |date = 26 March 2018|access-date=30 December 2018}} It is a pop{{cite news |last1=Day |first1=Laurence |title=Bleachers recruits pal Lorde for massive pop anthem "Don't Take The Money" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/bleachers-recruits-pal-lorde-for-massive-pop-anthem-dont-take-the-money |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=31 March 2017}} and synth-pop song,{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sarah |title=Hear Bleachers and Lorde Team Up on "Don't Take the Money"|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/hear_bleachers_and_lorde_team_up_on_dont_take_the_money |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Exclaim! |date=31 March 2017}} with influences of 1980s music.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ethan |title=Bleachers: Gone Now |url=https://www.popmatters.com/bleachers-gone-now-2495389369.html |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=PopMatters |date=7 June 2017}}
{{cite news |last1=Lapatine |first1=Scott |title=Bleachers – "Don't Take The Money" (Feat. Lorde) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1932738/bleachers-dont-take-the-money-feat-lorde/video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Stereogum |date=30 March 2017}} Antonoff revealed in an interview with Vulture that the Linn drums from Queen's 1984 song "Radio Ga Ga" served as inspiration for the track's percussion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/06/jack-antonoff-how-to-write-a-perfect-pop-song.html|title=Jack Antonoff on How to Write a Perfect Pop Song|date=June 29, 2017|website=Vulture}} According to NME writer Jamie Milton, the song's lyrics detail adversity "through the lens of a relationship"; the pre-chorus represents a "flaming row" while the chorus "keeps the couple caught up in it together."{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |title=Bleachers' 'Don't Take the Money' With Lorde Is Out Now: Listen |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/bleachers-gone-now-album-review |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=NME |date=31 March 2017}} Mike Wass of Idolator compared the track to songs from John Hughes film soundtracks while Nylon compared its sound to the music of American singer Bruce Springsteen.{{cite news |last1=Wass |first1=Mike |title=The Drop: Your Guide To New Music Friday Featuring Bleachers & Marnie |url=http://www.idolator.com/7660339/the-drop-guide-new-music-friday-bleachers-marnie |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Idolator |date=31 March 2017}}
{{cite news |last1=Manders |first1=Hayden |title=With 'Gone Now,' Bleachers Defines The Sound Of 2017 |url=https://nylon.com/articles/bleachers-gone-now-review |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Nylon |date=2 June 2017}} Newsweek{{'}}s Tufayel Ahmed called "Don't Take the Money" an "'80s synth-pop nirvana".{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Tufayel |title=Bleachers: Jack Antonoff on How Girlfriend Lena Dunham and Donald Trump Inspired New Album |url=https://www.newsweek.com/bleachers-jack-antonoff-girlfriend-lena-dunham-trump-new-album-622500 |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Newsweek |date=7 June 2017}}

A day before the release of "Don't Take the Money", Antonoff announced via Instagram a scavenger hunt on Union Square, Manhattan of flash drives labeled with the song's title, which included a file of the track. The flash drives were hidden inside several piñatas resembling the singer, along with bats to beat the piñatas with.{{cite news |last1=Brill |first1=Karen |title=Bleachers Gives 'Don't Take the Money,' Featuring Lorde |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/listen-to-bleachers-dont-take-the-money-featuring-lorde.html |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Vulture |date=31 March 2017}} The single was officially released the following day on 31 March 2017 through RCA Records.{{cite news|last1=Lapatine|first1=Scott|title=Bleachers – "Don't Take The Money" (Feat. Lorde)|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1932738/bleachers-dont-take-the-money-feat-lorde/video/|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=Stereogum|date=March 30, 2017}} A 12" record limited release of the single features an acoustic version of the track as its B-side.{{cite news |title=Jack Antonoff: Hit man |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jack-antonoff-bleachers-hit-man/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=CBS News |date=9 July 2017}} It was released on June 30, 2017, through the Bleachers webstore.{{cite web|title=Don't Take the Money 12|url=https://store.bleachersmusic.com/products/don-t-take-the-money-12|publisher=Bleachers|access-date=May 30, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

"Don't Take the Money" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, with several critics complimenting its production. It was also compared to the music used in films by American filmmaker John Hughes.{{cite news |last1=Gilbride |first1=Tricia |title=Bleachers' new single with Lorde was released via a Jack Antonoff piñata |url=https://mashable.com/2017/03/31/bleachers-lorde-dont-take-the-money/#w_zhU90xigqz |access-date=30 December 2018 |publisher=Mashable |date=31 March 2017}} PopMatters writer Ethan King called it the "album's best", praising Antonoff for "combining an infinitely re-playable arena-pop with an emotional gush."{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ethan |title=Bleachers: Gone Now |url=https://www.popmatters.com/bleachers-gone-now-2495389369.html |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=PopMatters |date=7 June 2017}} In his album review, Pitchfork writer Sam Sodomsky called "Don't Take the Money" a "worthy [addition] to his catalog".{{cite news |last1=Sodomsky |first1=Sam |title=Bleachers: Gone Now Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23215-gone-now/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Pitchfork |date=2 June 2017}} Kayleigh Hughes of Consequence of Sound named it the album's essential track, praising the song for its "romantic pleading, noble desperation, and pure unabashed effusion" as well as its "'80s theatricality".{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Kayleigh |title=Bleachers – Gone Now |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/05/album-review-bleachers-gone-now/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=30 June 2017}} Commercially, "Don't Take the Money" charted at number three on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. It also peaked on the Rock Airplay and Hot Rock Songs charts at number 15 and 16, respectively. On the Adult Pop Songs, the track peaked at number 22.

File:Don't Take the Money Music Video.jpg

The accompanying music video for "Don't Take the Money" was directed by American actress and filmmaker Lena Dunham.{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Lauren |title=Bleachers' Jack Antonoff Is a Jilted Groom in a New Video for "Don't Take the Money" |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bleachers-jack-antonoff-is-a-jilted-groom-in-a-new-video-for-dont-take-the-money/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Noisey |publisher=Vice |date=2 May 2017}} The video was shot in New Jersey and premiered on Bleachers' YouTube channel on 2 May 2017.{{cite magazine |last1=Grant |first1=Sarah |title=Watch Surreal, Lena Dunham-Directed Bleachers Video for 'Don't Take the Money' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-surreal-lena-dunham-directed-bleachers-video-for-dont-take-the-money-117906/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2 May 2017}} Aside from Antonoff, the clip features Italian twin models Giulia and Camilla Venturini as well as American actress and artist Alia Shawkat.{{cite news |last1=Acevedo |first1=Yoselin |title=Lena Dunham Directs Bleachers' 'Don't Take the Money' Video — Watch |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/lena-dunham-directs-bleachers-dont-take-the-money-video-1201811821/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=IndieWire |date=2 May 2017}} Some of the actors in the video are genderqueer.{{cite news|last1=Knapp|first1=JD|title=Lena Dunham Directs Bleachers' 'Don't Take the Money' Music Video Featuring Lorde|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/lena-dunham-bleachers-dont-take-the-money-music-video-lorde-1202407046/|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=Variety|date=May 2, 2017}}

The video begins with an audio interlude of a groom (played by Antonoff) speaking to a marriage officiant (played by Shawkat);{{cite news |last1=Maine |first1=Samantha |title=Lena Dunham-directed Bleachers video features 'Arrested Development' star |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bleachers-arrested-development-lena-dunham-2064226 |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=NME |date=2 May 2017}} he expresses worries of marrying the bride (Giulia) due to her limited knowledge of English. The scene later transitions to Antonoff dressed in a bedazzled sailor suit as he sits down in a bright gold background with two identical twins (Giulia and Camila).{{cite magazine |last1=Lang |first1=Cady |title=Jack Antonoff Wears a Bedazzled Blazer to His Doomed Wedding in This New Bleachers Music Video |url=https://time.com/4763509/alia-shawkat-bleachers-music-video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |magazine=Time |date=2 May 2017}} VCR footage of flower children and the groom's parents is then interspliced with hi-def scenes of the same wedding. Giulia walks down the altar as the chorus begins.

In the following scene, figurines on the wedding cake are shown with blue disco ball heads. The guests of the wedding are revealed to be hot pink mannequins.{{cite news |last1=Whitehead |first1=Mat |title=Lena Dunham Directs Latest Video For Bleachers' 'Don't Take The Money' Feat. Lorde |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/05/02/lena-dunham-directs-latest-video-for-bleachers-dont-take-the_a_22066366/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=The Huffington Post |date=3 May 2017}} The music stops as Antonoff lifts the bride's veil; the marriage officiant reads the ceremony script from a yellow New Jersey phone book.{{cite news |last1=Galbraith |first1=Alex |title=Bleachers' Candy-Coated Wedding Goes All to Hell in the Lena Dunham-Directed 'Don't Take The Money' Video |url=https://uproxx.com/music/bleachers-dont-take-the-money-video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Uproxx |date=2 May 2017}} She looks up to see Giulia's lover (played by Camila), revealed to be a Russian spy, appear from the bushes dressed in commando clothing and a mesh top. Dialogue captions are shown during Giulia and Camila's scene. Camila punches Antonoff who falls on top of several mannequins; she proceeds to punch and spit on him several times. She drags his body through the wedding aisle and kicks him into a pool. Giulia and Camila then run off together and drive a wedding getaway car. The last scene shows Antonoff passed out in a pool with a bloody nose.{{cite news |last1=Bryant |first1=Taylor |title=Alia Shawkat Appears In Bleachers' Lena Dunham-Directed Video |url=https://nylon.com/articles/bleachers-dont-take-the-money-music-video |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Nylon |date=2 May 2017}}

The music video received positive reviews from critics. Its visuals were compared to the films of American director Wes Anderson. Uproxx writer Alex Galbraith stated that the clip "perfectly [captured] the disaffected looks on everyone but Antonoff’s faces" as well as "chintzy and over-the-top decorations of his stage wedding". Lauren O'Neill of Noisey praised the video's cast, calling it a "perfectly sparkly music video experience". Time{{'}}s Cady Lang noted that Dunham "borrowed heavily from bright, saturated, ’80s-style aesthetics to keep the concept fun," in contrast with the video's plot twist. Writing for Rolling Stone, Sarah Grant commented that the video matched the song's tonality; Grant also noted that the inclusion of a "Russian spy lovers twist" was a "comedic, good-natured nod" to the pair's support for same-sex marriage. Stereogum writer Tom Breihan called it a "bright, colorful video" and praised its progressive portrayal of gender.{{cite news |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Bleachers – "Don't Take The Money" Video (Dir. Lena Dunham) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1938714/bleachers-dont-take-the-money-video-dir-lena-dunham/video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Stereogum |date=2 May 2017}}

Bleachers first performed "Don't Take the Money" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on 17 April 2017. According to Spin, Antonoff was backed by a band and wore a New York Mets T-shirt.{{cite news |last1=Kloeppel |first1=Geena |title=Watch Bleachers Perform "Don't Take the Money" on Last Night's Kimmel |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/04/watch-bleachers-perform-dont-take-the-money-on-last-nights-kimmel/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Spin |date=18 April 2017}} Stereogum writer Tom Breihan said that although Lorde was not present on stage to perform the track, Antonoff "made up for it with gawky nerd charisma and grand-gesture intensity".{{cite news |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Watch Bleachers Play "Don't Take The Money" On Kimmel |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1935648/watch-bleachers-play-dont-take-the-money-on-kimmel/video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Stereogum |date=18 April 2017}} The song was also performed at The Ellen Degeneres Show under a "color pastel stage"; Antonoff took off his glasses midway through the performance and started "roaming all over the place."{{cite news |title=Watch Bleachers Bring "Don't Take the Money" to Ellen |url=http://diymag.com/2017/09/27/watch-bleachers-dont-take-the-money-ellen-september-2017 |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=DIY |date=27 September 2017}} Bleachers served as a musical guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers backed by two drummers; DIY called it a "slightly more meditative, laid-back version of the track" but praised the act's versatility.{{cite news |title=Watch Bleachers Bring 'Don't Take the Money' to Seth Meyers |url=http://diymag.com/2017/08/01/watch-bleachers-dont-take-the-money-seth-meyers |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=DIY |date=1 August 2017}} Antonoff performed the track live on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on 6 June 2017; Breihan from Stereogum called it a "rousing, muscular version of the song".{{cite news |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Watch Bleachers Do A Fired-Up "Don't Take The Money" On The Tonight Show |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1945299/watch-bleachers-do-a-fired-up-dont-take-the-money-on-the-tonight-show/video/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Stereogum |date=7 June 2017}} "Don't Take the Money" was also performed live at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. Towards the end of the performance, Antonoff "started knocking over equipment on stage".{{cite news |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=MTV VMA 2017: Watch Bleachers Perform "Don't Take the Money" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mtv-vma-2017-watch-bleachers-perform-dont-take-the-money/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Pitchfork |date=28 August 2017}} Antonoff and Lorde performed the song as part of a MTV Unplugged session;{{cite news |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |last2=Blais-Billie |first2=Braudie |title=Bleachers Joined By Lorde, Carly Rae Jepsen on "MTV Unplugged": Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/bleachers-joined-by-lorde-carly-rae-jepsen-on-mtv-unplugged-watch/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Pitchfork |date=16 September 2017}} a live-album was released on 10 November 2017 with Lorde credited as a performer.{{cite news |last1=Blais-Billie |first1=Braudie |title=Bleachers Announces MTV Unplugged Album, Shares New "I Miss Those Days" Video: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/bleachers-announces-mtv-unplugged-album-shares-new-i-miss-those-days-video-watch/ |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=Pitchfork |date=24 October 2017}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Gone Now and the official Bleachers YouTube channel.{{cite AV media notes|title=Gone Now|others=Bleachers|year=2017|publisher=RCA Records}}{{cite web|title=Bleachers - Making Of Don't Take The Money|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRJvw-G75zc|access-date=2023-05-25|website=youtube.com| date=9 June 2017 }}

• Jack Antonoff – vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion, songwriter, producer
• Ella Yelich-O'Connor – background vocals, songwriter
• Greg Kurstin – keyboards, LinnDrum, producer, engineer
• Mikey Freedom Hart - electric guitar
• Vince Clarke – producer
• Julian Burg – additional engineer
• Alex Pasco – additional engineer
• Serban Ghenea – mixing

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download{{cite web|title=Don't Take the Money - Single by Bleachers|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-take-the-money-single/1219503440|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|access-date=May 30, 2017}}

| title1 = Don't Take the Money

| length1 = 3:35

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 12" vinyl

| title1 = Don't Take the Money

| length1 = 3:35

| title2 = Don't Take the Money

| note2 = Acoustic

| length2 =

}}

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Bleachers|title=Don't Take The Money|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|access-date=January 22, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{reflist}}

• {{YouTube|B06qqB7bp-w|"Don't Take the Money"}}

{{Bleachers}}

{{Lorde}}

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Category:2017 singles

Category:2017 songs

Category:American synth-pop songs

Category:Bleachers (band) songs

Category:Songs written by Jack Antonoff

Category:Songs written by Lorde

Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin

Category:RCA Records singles