“Money talks” (meaning that money has influence) is an old financial saying, cited in print in various forms from before 1700. “Money talks” was printed in several American newspapers in 1868.
“Money talks, (but) chocolate sings” is a jocular ending to the proverb that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers. The saying means that while money has influence (“talks”), chocolate has even more influence and rules (“sings”).
“Money talks, chocolate sings” was published on the Internet in 1998 as one of The Rules of Chocolate. The author is unknown.
Google Books
Chocoholic Reasonettes:
Little Excuses to Eat Chocolate
By Sherrie Weaver
Great Quotations
1998
Pg. 97:
Money talks. Chocolate sings.
The Rules of Chocolate
Author unknown; retrieved from “the net” in December 1998.
(...)
Money talks. Chocolate sings.
14 April 1999, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Smiley Anders column:
Money talks. Chocolate sings! That’s one of the “Rules of Chocolate” a reader called “Napoleon” came across on the Internet.
Google Books
The Chocolate Mouse Trap:
A Chocoholic Mystery
By JoAnna Carl
New York, NY: New American Library
2005
Pg. ?:
REFRIGERATOR MAGNET CHOCOLATE
(...)
“Money talks. Chocolate sings.”
Google Books
Dylan’s Candy Bar:
Unwrap Your Sweet Life
By Dylan Lauren
New York, NY: Clarkson Potter
2010
Pg. 104:
I ABIDE BY ALL OF THESE SWEET SAYINGS:
(...)
“Money talks. Chocolate sings!”
Google Books
Too Blessed to Be Stressed:
Inspiration for Climbing Out of Life’s Stress-Pool
By Debora M. Coty
Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Pub.
2011
Pg. ?:
You know it’s true: Sugar shows and money talks, but chocolate sings!
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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