tribeoftheliver OP t1_j6gd5iv wrote on January 30, 2023 at 3:10 AM

You may not have heard of Barrett Strong, but his best known song was probably "Money (That's What I Want)" [Motown's first hit single, which he didn't write].

He also wrote, alongside Norman Whitfield, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye), "Ball of Confusion", "Just My Imagination", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (The Temptations), and "War" (Edwin Starr), among other

Strong's songs have been sampled or covered by everyone from Tupac to Tom Jones.

emotionalfescue t1_j6kchde wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:00 PM

This dude was one of the greatest lyricists in the history of soul music. Don't forget "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (Undisputed Truth).

iHateDanny t1_j6gro5z wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:08 AM

Probably one of the most influential songwriters most folks have never heard of. A true heavyweight.

ChrisCinema t1_j6h16rw wrote on January 30, 2023 at 6:51 AM

He was one of Motown's best songwriters. I personally love the songs he had composed (along with Norman Whitfield) for the Temptations. May he rest in peace.

chipkoandolan t1_j6gouh1 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 4:41 AM

Sad news. He was a talented man.

Bitter_Resolve_6082 t1_j6guywm wrote on January 30, 2023 at 5:41 AM

Motown!! That's some great music!! RIP Barrett

buntcubble t1_j6k18qb wrote on January 30, 2023 at 9:47 PM

I think he and Norman Whitfield also wrote Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home), which makes me think that song and Papa Was a Rolling Stone were maybe two sides of the same story.

tribeoftheliver OP t1_j6kk0d0 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:52 PM

That's right, they wrote "Wherever I Lay My Hat" alongside Marvin Gaye (who did not write "Grapevine").

Barrett Strong (Motown singer-songwriter) is dead at 81

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