Barrett Strong: The Man Who Delivered Motown’s First Hit
Barrett Strong’s career can be viewed in two parts. First, as an artist, he recorded Motown’s first hit, Money (That’s What I Want), in 1959. The song was written by Berry Gordy, Motown’s president.
Money became not only Barrett’s and Motown’s breakthrough tune but also a classic that has been covered by The Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Rolling Stones, and countless Motown and Soul bands over the years.
While this early success was pivotal in kickstarting the label, Barrett’s greatest impact came as a lyricist for other artists.
Perhaps most notably, he wrote the words to I Heard It Through the Grapevine, War, Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home), and Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone. Many of these hits were created in collaboration with legendary producer Norman Whitfield.
When Motown moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, Barrett stayed behind. Though he remained active, the golden era of his career ended the day he stepped away from the Motown factory.
In 1973, Barrett Strong was honoured with a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.
Barrett Strong Tunes | Related Pages
I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and video guitar lessons.
| Ebm | Ebm | Bb Ab | Ab6 Ab |
I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew, ’bout your plans to make me blue…
Start learning with the full lesson series: I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Money (That’s What I Want) | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play Money (That’s What I Want) by Barrett Strong using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| F N.C | N.C Bb C |
The best things in life are free…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Money (That’s What I Want) – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Barrett Strong on the web
