Barrett Strong, Money (That’s What I Want) | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 26^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 26th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Money (That’s What I Want)”, performed by 🎙 Barrett Strong.  

“The best things in life are free / But you can give them to the birds, and bees / I need money.” Woo! What a memorable line from the 🎙 Barrett Strong classic, 🎵 “Money (That’s What I Want)”. The legendary Motown singer/songwriter, who passed away at the age of 81 on January 28, 2023 😢, leaves behind some truly iconic songs as a writer, primarily.  While he’s most renowned for his pen, he scored a hit on the pop charts with “Money,” which peaked at no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1960.

The chorus is the most famous part of this early soul classic, with Strong singing lead, supported by marvelous background vocals: “I need money (That’s what I want) / That’s what I want (That’s what I want).” Still, the verses are infectious, including the second where Strong, showing ample personality, asserts, “Your love gave me such a thrill / But your love don’t pay my bills.” Hence, that’s why Strong needs M-O-N-E-Y! “Money” was penned by another icon, 🎼 ✍ Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford.  Gordy also produced this super catchy joint.  A record that is well into its 60s, 🎵 “Money (That’s What I Want)” never grows old or sounds the least bit anachronistic.

🎙 Barrett Strong • 💿 The Collection • 🏷 Spectrum Music • 📅 2004

Barrett Strong, “Money (That’s What I Want)”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 26 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]