Barrett Strong Jr. (February 5, 1941 – January 28, 2023) was an American singer and songwriter known for his recording of "Money (That's What I Want)", which was the first hit single for the Motown record label. He is also known for his songwriting work in association with producer Norman Whitfield; together, they penned such songs as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "War", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". the only boy of six children born to Barrett Strong Sr., a minister. His family moved to Detroit, Michigan, when he was four years old, and his father bought him a piano soon after. Strong began singing at Hutchins Intermediate School in Detroit, where his classmates included Aretha Franklin and Lamont Dozier.
Career
Tamla Records and Motown
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Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry Gordy's fledgling label, Tamla Records, and was the performer (vocal and piano) on the company's first hit single, "Money (That's What I Want)", which was recorded live at the music studio where other legendary artists would eventually record. The song reached No. 2 US R&B in 1960. Gordy later disputed claims that Barrett had part in writing this song, stating that Strong's name was only included because of a clerical error. The single was originally released on Tamla, Motown's first label, but was then leased to the Anna label as it was getting airplay, and it was on the Anna label that it was a hit. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
"Money" The former reached No. 47 on Billboards Black Albums chart.
In the 1980s, Strong recorded "Rock It Easy" on an independent label, and wrote "You Can Depend on Me", which appeared on the Dells' The Second Time album (1988). He founded the company as a means of providing opportunity and support for aspiring musicians in Detroit;
Later career
Alongside Whitfield, Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Death
Strong died at home in the La Jolla district of San Diego, California, on January 28, 2023, aged 81.
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| Love Is You
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| 1959
| "Money (That's What I Want)" / "Oh I Apologize"
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| 1960
| "Yes, No, Maybe So" / "You Knows What to Do"
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| 1960
| "Whirlwind" <small>(with the Rayber Voices)</small> / "I'm Gonna Cry (If You Quit Me)"
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| 1961
| "Money and Me" / "You Got What It Takes"
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| 1961
| "Misery" / "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right"
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| 1964
| "Make Up Your Mind" / "I Better Run"
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| 1967
| "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"<br /><small>Recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips<br />Co-written with Norman Whitfield</small>
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| 47
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| 1967
| "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"<br /><small>Recorded by Marvin Gaye<br />Co-written with Whitfield</small>
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| 1971
| "Just My Imagination"<br /><small>Recorded by the Temptations<br />Co-written with Whitfield</small>
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| 72
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| 8
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| 1972
| "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"<br /><small>Recorded by the Undisputed Truth<br />Co-written with Whitfield</small>
| 63
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| 1972
| "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"<br /><small>Recorded by the Temptations<br />Co-written with Whitfield</small>
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| 1973
| "Stand Up and Cheer for the Preacher" / (Instrumental version)
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| 82
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| 1975
| "Surrender" / "There's Something About You"
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| 1975
| "Is It True" / "Anywhere"
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| 45
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| 1976
| "Man Up in the Sky" / "Gonna Make It Right"
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| 1981
| "Rock It Easy" / "Love Will Make It Alright"
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See also
- List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States