Money (That's What I Want)

Money ( That's What I Want) is the title of a 1959 by Barrett Strong sung rhythm-and - blues songs, who became famous later by numerous cover versions.

Genesis

On January 12, 1959 Berry Gordy Jr., the independent record label Tamla Records was founded and was looking for talent. He was initially Marv Johnson, who released the first single on Tamla catalog. The 18 -year-old Barrett Strong played the piano and singing was average. He was presented by Jackie Wilson label founder Berry Gordy, who had written several hits for Wilson from 1957. Barrett Strong's first single for the new Tamla Records label was in April 1959 Let's Rock / Do the Very Best You Can ( Tamla 54022 ), the fourth single in the label catalog. She remained without any response.

In August 1959 Berry Gordy improvised in the garage newly constructed home studio of " Hitsville USA" ( later Motown Recording Studios (Detroit ) ) just at the piano, when he called the listening Barrett Strong and Janie Bradford: "Come on, to think something that everyone needs! "-" money! " replied Bradford. Spontaneously created a text, and Barrett Strong, who played the piano better than Gordy, sat at the piano. The cast was also derived from a white guitarist named Eugene Grew, Eddie Holland took over the tambourine ( and acted as sound engineer ), James Jamerson played bass, Joe Hunter ( piano ) and Benny Benjamin served sparingly Tomtom. With Jamerson, Hunter and Benjamin was found to hold its first meeting of the core of the later Funk Brothers.

The text deals with the greed of the protagonist and provides a cynical perspective on romance and finance. While the love of his girlfriend excited him greatly, but with the love he can not pay the bills. The infectious rhythm based on a boogie -woogie piano riff.

Publication and success

From time ago it was unfortunate a song that did address the desire for money to publish the midst of the payola scandal. But success should cover the initial concerns. Money ( That's What I Want) / Oh I Apologize ( Tamla 54027 ) was first released as the eighth single from the Tamla label in August 1959. After airplay by disc jockey Larry Dixon at Detroit radio station WCHB, however, provided a such a big demand that Gordy licensed the rights to his sister Gwen Gordy and the label Anna Records. The label Anna Records had a better distribution system and brought the single on 10 December 1959 ( Anna 1111) on the market again. After placing an ad in Billboard magazine from 4 January 1960, the single reached on 25 January 1960 in the rhythm & blues charts, where it penetrated down to rank 2; in the pop charts, it reached Rank 23 The song remained Strong's only hit as a performer.

Strong taught Tamla out four singles, and that You Know What To Do / Yes, No, Maybe So (June 1960; 54029 ), I'm Gonna Cry / Whirl Wind ( September 1960 ), You Got What It Takes / Money and Me ( February 1961; 54035 ) and Misery / Two Wrongs Do not Make a Right (June 1961 54043 ) and had thus sung a total of six singles on Tamla. He joined in January 1962 in the role of the copywriter and was from June 1966 the successful writing team Whitfield / Strong to.

Cover versions

At least 67 cover versions are known. The title (I Need Some ) Money of the Miracles is another composition by Gordy / Robinson in doo-wop style (end 1029 ', July 1958), because he could already be chronological no cover. Jerry Lee Lewis picked apparent first the song (recorded on September 21, 1961 at Sun Records, Nashville ), the Searchers brought him as a B- side to the German Single Sweet it is ( Sugar and Spice) / Love (published on 15 January. , 1964 ).

Beatles

The Beatles had the first song played in the Decca samples on 1 January 1962, after they had heard the original single in Brian Epstein's NEMS record store in Liverpool. In the Abbey Road studios they needed for recording on July 18, 1963 a total of seven takes, on July 30 added music producer George Martin added his piano playing and on September 30, 1963, the mix in stereo has been completed. The Beatles' version was released on November 22, 1963 on the LP With the Beatles.

More versions

The Rolling Stones recorded their version on January 17, 1964 their first EP You Better Move On ( Decca DFE 8560 ) on, followed by the Rattles (LP Liverpool Beat vol 1, . 1964) and the Kingsmen ( March 1964; U.S. 16 ), Etta James sang it live at the New Era Club in Nashville ( 27 and 28 September 1964), Waylon Jennings took him on 3 December 1964. This was followed by The Liver Birds (LP Star-Club Show vol 4, . January 1965 ), Everly Brothers (recorded on June 7, 1965 at United Recording), John Lee Hooker (LP It Serve You Right to Suffer, November 23, 1965 ) Supremes (26 April 1966) or Led Zeppelin ( live from the Frankfurt Festhalle, 30 June 1980 ).

The song also appeared in the film Animal House ( Premiere on July 27, 1978). A minimalist cover provided the Flying Lizards with their rap from (July 1979 GB -5), Boyz II Men brought him on their LP Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville out USA ( November 2007). It was also published Money ( That's What I Want) by Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Blues Brothers, The Doors, The Sonics or The BossHoss.

Awards

For the song, there was a BMI Award, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.