Artist: Barrett Strong
Author: Berry Gordy Jr./Janie Bradford
Label: Tamla
Year: 1959
First hit with a Motown sound (n°2 R&B, top 30 US). Reissued in 1960 on Anna, the label of Berry Gordy's sister. According to the records at the United States Copyright Office in Washington, Barrett Strong was originally listed as coauthor but has never seen a penny of the profits. His name was literally crossed out, again in 1987 when the copyright needed to be renewed. When in 2010 Mr. Strong finally knew about this freud, it was too late for him to act. But let it be clear: the unique piano riff which opens the song was all his, according to Robert Bateman who engineered the session and Money guitarist Eugene Grew. One of the ten selections in Greil Marcus' The History Of Rock 'N' Roll In 10 Songs.
Covers:
John Lee Hooker [as I Need Some Money]
Jennell Hawkins [answersong as More Money on Amazon]
Buddy Guy [as $100 Bill]
Beatles [publishing royalties on this cover gave Motown a fenomenal cash boost]
Rob de Nijs [as Geld]
Undertakers [with Jackie Lomax]
Rolling Stones [on No Stone Unturned]
Eddy Mitchell [as Pas de chance, hit F]
Miracles [their (I Need Some) Money ('58) is a Robinson/Gordy composition]
Doors [live at Madison Square Garden, announced as "the National Anthem" and crediting John Lee Hooker (see footnote)]
Anson Funderburgh [as $100 Bill; vocal: Sam Myers]
Sue Foley [idem]
The Doors credit John Lee Hooker who once earned a living in the same Detroit auto parts assembly line as Barrett Strong (and the whole Motown direction board). Maybe Barrett was influenced by his colleague. On the other hand, the Doors also credit Crawling King Snake to John Lee Hooker (see there).
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)