Barrett Strong, born on February 5, 1941, in West Point, Mississippi, was an influential American singer, songwriter, and producer, best known for his contributions to Motown and the soul music genre.
Strong began his career with Berry Gordy’s Tamla label in 1959, where he recorded the original version of “Money (That’s What I Want).” The song became a major US hit and a rock standard, later covered by artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
In 1961, Strong wrote Eddie Holland’s hit “Jamie” and briefly joined Vee Jay Records before returning to Motown in the early 1960s as a writer and producer. From 1966 to 1973, he partnered with Norman Whitfield, creating a series of iconic hits for The Temptations, including “Cloud Nine,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” Strong’s powerful lyrics helped define the era of psychedelic soul.
After leaving Motown in 1973, Strong resumed his recording career, releasing tracks like “Stand Up And Cheer For The Preacher” on Epic and “Is It True” on Capitol in 1975. His 1976 album Live And Love featured “Man Up In The Sky,” a song popular on the UK soul scene and later covered by Johnny Bristol.
In 2001, Strong returned to recording with his album Stronghold 2 on his own Blarritt Records label, showcasing a mix of musical styles.
Barrett Strong also wrote “I Can’t Get Next to You,” which Annie Lennox covered on her album Medusa, further highlighting his enduring influence on music.
Strong’s legacy as a songwriter and contributor to Motown’s success remains significant, even as his own releases are sometimes overshadowed by his backroom work.
