“Fake Money” is the first song on the Arkells' third major studio album, High Noon.

Lead singer Max Kerman provided insight into the song’s meaning in an interview with The Huffington Post Canada, noting:

We wanted to come out swinging. Every song on the record is meaningful to us in its own way, but the first tune on an album sets the tone. We went in a few of directions on this record, but didn’t want people to forget that at our core we’re a five-piece rock'n'roll band. ‘Fake Money’ is about a few things, but generally it’s about personal values.

To have responsibility is not the same as acting responsibly. In the right context, boyish behaviour is all fun and great — most of my favourite people have a youthful spirit. But it becomes a problem when the decisions of a few one-track minded ‘boys’ effect people who don’t have a say in the matter. Perhaps the most egregious example are these investment banker-types, finance, and big business men, who act as though the work they do is like a day at the casino. I read a lot about social economics, and learning the disastrous way big business gambled everyone’s future for continuously greater profits was so tone-deaf and well, greedy.

When I think about men with power and privilege, the first image that comes to mind is child’s play. Despite their status or billing, men who control money and power aren’t really adults. Reckless behaviour has proven this a thousand times over. They’re just little boys running around without a care in the world — everything is a fun little game.

The band has always been a political band but I think this is our first protest song, and it’s also a reminder: there are some ethereal things — human connection and empathy etc. and there are constructed things — money and systems. Let’s not place the latter ahead of the former."