“Money (That’s What I Want)” was the eighth single released by Motown, and is considered to be the first classic song recorded at the Hitsville Factory. The track is built around a piano riff written by Berry Gordy and played by Barrett Strong. It would eventually reach #2 on the R&B charts.
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[Verse 1]
The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
[Chorus]
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)
[Verse 2]
Your love give me such a thrill
But your love don't pay my bills
[Chorus]
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)
[Verse 3]
Money don't get everything, it's true
But what it don't get, I can't use
[Chorus]
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)
[Outro]
Money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Lots of money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Whole lot of money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Uh huh (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Woah yeah (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Give me money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Oh, lots of money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
All those lean greens, yeah (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
That's right, baby, that's what I mean (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Woah yeah (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Give me money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Lots of money (That's what I want, uh-huh-huh)
Money (That’s What I Want) was written by Berry Gordy & Janie Bradford.
Money (That’s What I Want) was produced by Berry Gordy.
Berry Gordy wrote this song based on his prolific (but not profitable) stint as a songwriter for the likes of Jackie Wilson before forming Motown: (via Nelson George’s Where Did Our Love Go?)
I was broke until the time I wrote ‘Money’; even though I had many hits, and there were other writers who h...