Song of the Day 3/22: Barrett Strong, “Money (That’s What I Want)”

Donald Trump is getting INCREASINGLY FRANTIC! as the clock winds down toward his deadline for posting bond as he appeals his fraud conviction. Before you read any story about it, you should cue up this song as the soundtrack.

Barrett Strong had his only hit as a performer with “Money,” written by Berry Gordy. It was Motown’s first chart success, reaching No. 23 on the Hot 100 in 1960. Strong soon joined the label to work as a lyricist with Norman Whitfield, co-writing dozens of tunes including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “War.” He died in January 2023 at age 81.

It’s been covered by dozens of artists, not least the Beatles, and many have reached the charts in either the U.S., the UK or both. The only band that gave its cover a twist was Britain’s Flying Lizards, whose New Wave approach hit No. 5 in the UK and No. 50 on the Hot 100 in 1979.