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Money (That’s What I Want) Chords | Barrett Strong Guitar Lesson

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Money (That’s What I Want) | Chords + Lyrics

Intro

||: N.C :|| x4
||: F riff | F riff :||
| C | Bb | F riff | C5 |

Verse 1

Verse 2

Solo

| F7 | F7 | F7 | F7 |
| Bb7 | Bb7 | F7 | F7 |
| C7 | Bb7 | F7 | C7 |

Verse 3

| F N.C | N.C Bb5 |
Money don’t get everything it’s true,
| F N.C | N.C F7 |
but what it don’t get, I can’t use,
| Bb7 | Bb7 |
I need money (that’s what I want).
| F7 | F7 |
That’s what I want (that’s what I want).
| C | Bb | F7 | C5 |
That’s what I want (that’s what I want). That’s what I want (that’s what I want).

Outro chorus 1

| F7 | F7 | F7 | F7 |
Money (that’s what I want). Lots of money (that’s what I want).
| Bb7 | Bb7 | F7 | F7 |
Whole lot of money (that’s what I want). That’s what I want (that’s what I want).
| C | Bb | F riff | C5 |
That’s what I want (that’s what I want, that’s what I want).

Outro chorus 2

Money (That’s What I Want) Chords: Learn the progressions

Explaining the chords is a bit complicated because, on the original recording of Money (That’s What I Want), the guitar plays the riff and sticks with it as the band transitions from F to Bb.

In cover versions of Money (That’s What I Want) (by The Beatles, Roy Orbison, etc.), this rarely happens. Instead, the riff follows the progression.

What I ended up playing was a hybrid of all the influences I picked up while learning the song.

By being open to different approaches, I focus on what the song needs in my specific band setup, rather than just copying and memorising from one source.

This means there’s plenty of room for you to design your part. Start with what I play, then consider your own options.

The chords in Money are based on the 12-bar blues, with and without stops. As the band moves to Bb (chord IV), you can decide whether to stick with the F riff or move the riff to Bb.

Thinking in Roman numerals, F is chord I, Bb is IV, and C is V. Here’s a chord chart I made for you.

Money (That’s What I Want) Backing Track | Chord Chart (PDF + iReal Pro)

Once you’ve mastered the riff and decided whether to move with the chords, all you need is a chord chart to guide you through the changes.

The A section represents the verse with stops, the B section is the solo, and the C section is the outro chorus where we play without stops. I recommend starting by moving the riff to Bb at this point.

If you’d like to download my chart, here’s a PDF: Money (That’s What I Want) chord chart PDF.

This chart was created using iReal Pro, and here’s the link to that file: Money (That’s What I Want) chord chart iReal Pro.

Below, you’ll find a preview of how I designed the solo, incorporating and developing the vocal melody.

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Money (That’s What I Want) TAB | Course Preview

In the course, we cover everything I play in the video and explore additional options.

We dive into the minor pentatonic and blues language, and even practise playing the vocal melody in different positions across the neck.

In the video above, you’ll find a guitar solo. I created this solo by applying the following methodology:

Start by learning the vocal melody in as many areas of the neck as possible.
Use the melody’s note choices for your solo, but alter the rhythm.
Use the melody’s rhythm, and change the notes.
Incorporate note choices from the riffs.
Combine chord licks with ideas from the song’s melody.

Here’s the TAB for the solo I ended up with in Money (That’s What I Want).

To start learning, here’s a link to the full 8-step guitar lessons: Money (That’s What I Want) – Guitar Lessons with TAB.

**From Money to Empire: The Story of Motown’s First Big Hit**

Money (That’s What I Want) was the first successful single released by Motown in 1959.

Written by Motown’s founder, Berry Gordy, and performed by Barrett Strong, it marked the beginning of one of the most significant musical movements in popular music history.

Before the label had even found its signature sound, this blues-inspired pop tune crossed over from Black musicians to white radio, and the money started rolling in for Gordy to build his musical empire.

It wasn’t smooth sailing from the start—Money (That’s What I Want) had to be released twice, as did the label’s second successful single, Shop Around (1960).

Motown’s first #1 came the following year with Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes, followed in 1962 by another Berry Gordy-penned hit, Do You Love Me.

By the end of 1962, You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me added another success to the label’s growing list.

This might sound impressive—five big hits—but considering Motown had released 140 singles in four years, and Gordy himself had written two of them, doubt must have crept in at times.

The following year, with Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, and Marvin Gaye all releasing records, it was full steam ahead. If money was what Berry wanted, he certainly got it!

Money (That’s What I Want) Chords: Continue Learning

Money (That's What I Want) 8 step-by-step guitar lessons.

After learning the very interesting main riff of Money (That’s What I Want), you’ll discover there’s plenty more to explore in these lessons.

Along with variations on the turnaround, we also have a solo to sink our teeth into. This is an important lesson, as the concept can be applied to building any solo.

Start learning with the full lesson series: Money (That’s What I Want) – Guitar Lessons with TAB.

Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: