It was in the mid-1960s that Strong became a Motown staff lyricist, teaming with producer Norman Whitfield. Together, Strong and Whitfield wrote some of the most successful and critically acclaimed songs ever to be released by Motown, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by both Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, "War" by Edwin Starr, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth, and the long line of "psychedelic soul" records by The Temptations, including "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Psychedelic Shack", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", among others. Strong received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for co-writing "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".
After Motown moved its operations base from Detroit, Michigan to Los Angeles, California, Strong left the label and resumed his singing career, recording two albums for Capitol Records in the mid-1970s.
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 was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Strong released his album, Stronghold II, which he wrote and composed in collaboration with Eliza Neals in 2008, in digital format only.
In 2010, Strong appeared in "Misery", his first music video in his fifty years of recording music.
Money
Barrett Strong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you can give then to the birds and bees
I need money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
Your love give me such a thrill
I need money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
Money don't get everything, it's true
But what it don't get, I can't use
I need money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
Money (that's what I want)
Lots of money (that's what I want)
Whole lot of money (that's what I want)
Aha (that's what I want)
Aha ha ha ha ha(that's what I want)
Whoa yeah (that's what I want)
Give me money (that's what I want)
Lots of money (that's what I want)
Always need greens (that's what I want)
That's right baby that's what I need(that's what I want)
Aha ha ha ha ha (that's what I want)
Whoa yeah (that's what I want)
Give me money
Lots of money
The lyrics of Barrett Strong's song "Money" highlight the importance of money in life. The first verse mentions how the best things in life are free, but they are of little value. The singer suggests that despite the availability of free things, he prefers money over them. The second verse explains the impact of love on the singer's life. While love provides him with a thrilling experience, it doesn't pay his bills, hence his need for money. The third verse in the song conveys that money cannot buy everything, but the things that it can't buy are of no use to the singer.
The repetition of the phrase "that's what I want" in the lyrics creates an urgent tone, emphasizing how money is the most critical need of the singer. The song's message is that money makes the world go round, and without it, life is not complete. The lyrics of "Money" have a straightforward and direct message, and they continue to resonate with people across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
There are things in life that don't require money.
But you can give then to the birds and bees
However, these things don't have any practical value or usefulness.
Your love give me such a thrill
Being in a relationship with you makes me very happy and excited.
But your love don't pay my bills
But unfortunately, being in love with you doesn't provide financial stability or pay for my expenses.
Money don't get everything, it's true
Money cannot buy or solve everything in life.
But what it don't get, I can't use
But there are certain things in life that require money, and without it, I will not be able to acquire those things.
Money (that's what I want)
Money is my desired and needed resource to fulfill my needs and wants.
Lots of money (that's what I want)
I need a considerable amount of money to lead a comfortable life.
Whole lot of money (that's what I want)
I need a substantial amount of money to meet my various needs and desires.
Aha (that's what I want)
I am emphasizing my desire and need for money.
Give me money (that's what I want)
I am requesting financial assistance or money to meet my needs.
Always need greens (that's what I want)
I always require money (the green currency) to meet my financial obligations.
That's right baby that's what I need(that's what I want)
Money is not a mere desire, but it is something I need to fulfill my requirements.
Aha ha ha ha ha (that's what I want)
I am emphasizing my desire for money in a humorous way.
Whoa yeah (that's what I want)
I am expressing my desire for money with enthusiasm and energy.
Give me money
I need someone to give me money to fulfill my needs and wants.
Lots of money
I need a considerable amount of money to lead a comfortable life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Unison Rights S.L., Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, CTM Publishing
Written by: Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@parisb2963
LYRICS
The best things in life are free, but you can give them to the birds and bees.
I need money.
That's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
That's what I want, that 's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
Your love gives me such a thrill, but your love don't pay my bills.
I need money.
That's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
That's what I want, that 's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
Money don't get ev'rything, it's true, but what it don't get I can't use.
I need money.
That's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
That's what I want, that 's what I want.
(That's what I want. That's what I want.)
Money, lots of money.
(That's what I want, uh huh.)
Whole lot of money.
(That's what I want, uh huh.)
Uh huh. Ah, ah, oh, yeah.
(That's what I want, uh huh. That's what I want.)
(That's what I want, uh huh. That's what I want.)
Money, lots of money.
(That's what I want, uh huh.)
Whole lot of money.
(That's what I want, uh huh.)
Uh huh. Ah, ah, oh, yeah.
(That's what I want, uh huh. That's what I want.)
@johnnyyi2366
All I know is that GOD Loves HUMANITY.
The GOD that we all wish for and want to believe.
The GOD that knows nothing but LOVE.
GOD does not believe in hurting one another.
GOD wants us to stop hurting each other.
Stop the violence. Stop fighting.
And just how do we do that?
With LOVE.
LOVE what you think are your enemies. For they too want the same thing. That is PEACE.
NEVER EYE FOR AN EYE.
We as a Whole do not need Leaders who say that they will fight for you. We are tired of what you think we need. We as a WHOLE will have the right LEADERS who say we can work TOGETHER!!!
@walleyeman50
RIP Mr. Strong. You were so important in getting Motown up and running. As a skinny white kid growing up in the mid-west I was addicted to the music coming out of Detroit. Still my favorite 60 years later. You wrote and co-wrote phenomenal songs with some of the greatest singers of all time! Timeless music, thanks so much.
@MrGabito88
I live in buckeye arizona. Smokey robinson talks briefly about berett strong st min 4.39 https://youtu.be/ISBPPh--dz8
@werearethedreamteam3724
damn i dont know he died.
@jack69457
Only today. @walleyeman56 is a clairvoyant.
@walleyeman50
@@jack69457 I’m confused, I read back in January he unfortunately passed.
@jack69457
@@walleyeman56 only today at 81 yrs old
@joemientus676
“They say money can’t buy happiness? Give me fifty bucks and watch me smile.” - Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
@williamnair1991
That and a hooker and your set. lol
@therabidscorpion
"Anybody tells you money is the root of all evil doesn’t f*ckin’ have any. They say money can’t buy happiness? Look at the f*ckin’ smile on my face." - Jim Young, Boiler Room
@werearethedreamteam3724
b.s thats the stupidest thing i ever heard that money doesnt bring happiness.