The song "Neighbors" by Howlin' Wolf tells the story of a person who used to have a lot of money and enjoyed spending it with their friends. They would go out, drink beer and whiskey all night, and have a good time. However, the situation changes when the narrator tries to take their friends out again, but this time, their friends don't have any money to contribute. Realizing the circumstances, the narrator decides that they won't spend any more money and informs their neighbors about this. They express their love for their neighbors but explain the decision not to spend any more money. The lyrics emphasize how hard the narrator works for their money and how they don't want to waste it. They mention that their mother keeps their money, indicating a sense of responsibility and possibly financial support. This leads to the decision to refrain from spending money in the present time. The narrative takes a turn when the neighbor starts knocking on the narrator's door every Monday morning, asking for some money. The narrator reiterates that they can't spend any more money. This refusal causes the neighbor to become angry and walk away. Overall, "Neighbors" portrays the theme of valuing hard-earned money and the challenges that arise when friends and neighbors expect financial assistance. It highlights the difficulties of maintaining relationships and setting boundaries in relation to finances.
