Motown Songwriter Barrett Strong Dead at 81 - Noise11.com
Barrett Strong, Noise11, Photo

Barrett Strong

Motown Songwriter Barrett Strong Dead at 81

by Paul Cashmere on January 31, 2023

in News

Barrett Strong, the man who gave Motown an early hit with ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’* has died at the age of 81.

Strong also co-wrote the classics ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, ‘Just My Imagination’, ‘I Wish It Would Rain’, ‘Cloud Nine’ and ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’.

At the start of this story, ‘Money (That’s What I Want’ has a * after it because of a dispute where Strong was a co-writer, then not, then was again, and currently not. Strong was originally included as co-writer with Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford. His credit was removed three years after he released the song as a single in 1959. It was put back in 1987 but then removed the following year after co-writer and Motown founder Berry Gordy said the credit was included in error.

‘Money (That’s What I Want’ was recorded by The Beatles for their second album ‘With The Beatles’ album and The Rolling Stones on their 1964 self titled E.P.

Barrett’s original version of ‘Money (That’s What I Want’ reached no 23 on the US chart in 1959 and no 2 on the R&B chart giving Motown an early hit on the Tamla label. The single was the ninth release for the label and second single for Strong. His debut ‘Let’s Rock’, the fourth single for the label, was released in April, 1959. ‘Money’ was released in August, 1959.

“I was never comfortable with myself as a recording artist,” Strong says in the liner notes of the ‘Hitsville USA’ box set. “When I teamed with Norman Whitfield to write songs, I found all the confidence I needed. When I heard Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations sing my songs, I finally felt good about what I was doing”.

Barrett Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Brian Perkins of The Delltones Has Passed Away

Brian Perkins, a founding member of Australia’s original “boy band”, Rock and Roll legends The Delltones, has died.

March 5, 2023
Elvis Presley, noise11.com, Photo
Matthew McConaughey To Voice Elvis In Netflix Animated Series Agent Elvis

Matthew McConaughey is to voice Elvis Presley in a new animated TV series.

February 8, 2023
Lisa Marie Presley
UPDATE: Lisa Marie Presley Dead at 54 After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

It has now been confirmed that Lisa Marie Presley has died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. More to come

January 13, 2023
Rat Pack Reloaded
The Rat Pack Revisted To Play In Sydney and Melbourne

David Malek, Martin Crewes and Zoy Frangos will perform Rat Pack Reloaded in Melbourne and Sydney over the coming week.

November 9, 2022
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan Pays Tribute To Jerry Lee Lewis

Bob Dylan paid tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis at his show in Nottingham, England this week, performing ‘I Can’t Seem to Say Goodbye’.

November 2, 2022
Jerry Lee Lewis at the 2022 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Announce on May 17, 2022 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.
Jerry Lee Lewis Passes At Age 87 (Official)

The death of Rock and Roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis has been officially announced, following rumours of his passing two days ago.

October 29, 2022
Jerry Lee Lewis
TMZ Incorrectly Kills Off Jerry Lee Lewis

US gossip site TMZ has incorrectly killed off Rock and Roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis.

October 27, 2022