From the Studio Album: With The Beatles (1963)
Song Overview
“Money (That’s What I Want)” is one of the most powerful cover songs The Beatles ever recorded. Released in 1963 on With The Beatles, the song was originally made famous by Barrett Strong and became one of the earliest hits for Motown Records.
The Beatles transformed the song into a hard-driving rock and roll performance, with John Lennon delivering one of the most passionate vocals of the group’s early career. Closing With The Beatles in dramatic fashion, the track helped demonstrate the band’s love of American rhythm and blues and showcased the raw energy that had made them such a popular live act.
Although it was never released as a UK Beatles single, it remains one of the band’s most celebrated cover recordings.
Who Wrote the Song?
Unlike many Beatles songs, “Money (That’s What I Want)” was not written by Lennon and McCartney.
The song was written by:
- Berry Gordy
- Janie Bradford
Berry Gordy later founded Motown Records and became one of the most influential figures in popular music history.
The song was originally recorded by Barrett Strong in 1959 and became Motown’s first major hit.
When Was the Song Written?
“Money (That’s What I Want)” was written and recorded in 1959 during the early days of Motown.
The record quickly became popular in both the United States and the United Kingdom, finding an audience among young musicians who were drawn to American rhythm and blues.
Like many British bands of the early 1960s, The Beatles admired Motown music and frequently included songs from the label in their live performances. “Money” became one of their favourite stage numbers long before they recorded it at Abbey Road.
Album and Release Information
- Writers: Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford
- Album: With The Beatles
- UK Release Date: 22 November 1963
- Record Label: Parlophone
The song appears as the closing track on With The Beatles.
Its placement at the end of the album provided a dramatic and energetic finish, helping leave listeners with a memorable final impression.
Recording Details
- Recorded: 18 July 1963
- Studio: EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
John Lennon sang the lead vocal and delivered one of the most explosive performances of his early career.
The recording features a driving piano part, powerful rhythm section and strong harmony vocals from Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Producer George Martin contributed piano to the session, helping create the dense and energetic sound of the finished track.
Many critics have praised Lennon’s vocal performance, describing it as one of the best rock and roll recordings The Beatles ever made.
Chart Performance
As an album track, “Money (That’s What I Want)” did not chart independently for The Beatles.
However, With The Beatles became a massive commercial success and reached:
- Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart
The popularity of the album introduced millions of fans to The Beatles’ version of the song.
Song Meaning and Interpretation
The song’s message is straightforward and direct.
The narrator argues that while love may be important, money is a necessity in life. The lyrics focus on financial ambition and the desire for economic security, delivered with humour and a sense of determination.
Unlike many love songs of the period, “Money (That’s What I Want)” centres on material success rather than romance. The theme helped make it stand out from many contemporary pop records.
The song’s honesty and humour remain part of its appeal today.
Interesting Facts
- The song was Motown’s first major hit record.
- Berry Gordy co-wrote the song before becoming famous as the founder of Motown Records.
- John Lennon’s vocal is widely regarded as one of the strongest performances on With The Beatles.
- The Beatles regularly performed the song during their club years in Liverpool and Hamburg.
- Producer George Martin played piano on the recording.
- The song closes With The Beatles in dramatic style.
- Many Beatles fans consider it one of the finest cover versions the group ever recorded.
- Several major artists, including The Rolling Stones and The Flying Lizards, later recorded their own versions.
Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media
Although not featured prominently in a Beatles feature film, “Money (That’s What I Want)” has appeared in numerous documentaries, television specials and retrospective programmes examining the band’s early influences.
The song is often included in discussions about:
- Motown’s influence on British music
- The Beatles’ early club performances
- John Lennon’s vocal style
- The relationship between American rhythm and blues and the British beat movement
It has also appeared on several Beatles compilation releases and archival collections.
Legacy
“Money (That’s What I Want)” remains one of the most exciting records in The Beatles’ early catalogue.
The song perfectly demonstrates the influence that American rhythm and blues had on the band before they became international stars. It also highlights John Lennon’s ability to deliver a powerful rock and roll vocal filled with conviction and energy.
While The Beatles would soon become famous for their own original compositions, recordings such as “Money” remind listeners of the artists and genres that inspired them in the first place.
Today, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest cover songs The Beatles ever recorded and one of the standout tracks on With The Beatles. Its raw energy, memorable lyrics and outstanding vocal performance ensure that it remains a favourite among Beatles fans more than sixty years after its release.
Lyrics and Copyright
Lyrics are copyrighted and are therefore not reproduced on this website. Official lyrics can be found through authorised music publishers and authorised Beatles publications.
Note: Information on this page has been compiled from official Beatles releases, interviews, historical records and recognised Beatles reference works. Interpretations of song meanings may vary and are based on publicly available information.