Barrett Strong - Money ( that's what I want )

First performance: 00/10/1965


Coverinfo

Bruce covered the song 7 times and used it once as a snippet: 
 
 
Bruce and Patti are the Honorary Chairmen at the Paris 2024 Olympic Gala; U.S. Equestrian Team "Victory in Versailles" Gala. A benefit to support the United States Equestrian Teams at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 
 
 
 
2016-01-22 Louisburg Farm, Wellington, FL
Patti and Bruce are honorary chairpersons for the 2016 USET Foundation Olympic and Paralympic benefit evening, "Rockin' Rio" to raise funds for the the United States Equestrian Team horses and riders as they prepare to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Bruce joined the house band, taking lead vocals and playing guitar on Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)" with Patti on backing vocals.
 
2010-05-01 Addison Park, Aberdeen, NJ
Ranney School Ball
 
1995-04-05 Ed Sullivan Theater, New York City, NY
Only a part is played during the late show with David Letterman.
 
1987-08-02 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
with Full E Street Band except Nils Lofgren, and some of Cats On A Smooth Surface.
 
off-tour at Big Man’s West with Beaver Brown
 
1965-10-00 Reception Hall, Monmouth County, NJ 
One show, with The Castiles the sole act on the bill. The 27 song titles of this show plus two titles that are illegible have been culled from a surviving inventory/setlist document that was originally in the possession of a member of The Castiles. This list is believed to have emanated from a wedding reception the band performed in the autumn of 1965. With the exception of "Sidewalk" (co-written by Bruce) all of the songs are covers of other artist’s material, with the most recently released song at the time being Sonny & Cher’s "I Got You Babe" (July 1965). The setlist includes numerous 1964-1965 'British Invasion" hits by the Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks, Zombies and Beatles - a clear indication of the kind of music the band was playing at teen gigs. The high proportion of 1950s ballad material in this particular show (sung by George Theiss, not Bruce) is likely the result of it being a wedding, with manager Tex Vinyard making sure his boys also catered to the older relatives in attendance. These include the G-Clefs’ "I Understand", Acker Bilk’s "Stranger On The Shore", Don & Juan’s "What’s Your Name" and Anton Karas’ "The Third Man Theme". There is no circulating audio of any of this performance . Frank Marziotti has recalled the bride's choice of song was the jazz standard "Moonglow".    
 
  • Snippet 
during TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
 
1999-08-06 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
played by Gary
 

Songinfo

"Money (That's What I Want)" is a song written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford that became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise. The song was recorded in 1959 by Barrett Strong . It went on to be covered by many artists, including the Beatles in 1963. According to George Harrison, the group discovered Strong's version in Brian Epstein's NEMS record store.
 
 
 

Bruce on the artist

2021-07-21 SiriusXM Studio, New York City
Bruce played the song during the 25th episode of 'From My Home to Yours' series, themed "Frat Party".
 
Bruce on the song:
That was the classic "Money", performed by The Flamin' Groovies, out of San Francisco, formed in 1965, one of the early forerunners of power-pop and punk 
 
 
  
  

Lyrics

The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
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)

Your love give me such a thrill
But your love don't pay my bills
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)

Money don't get everything, it's true
But what it don't get, I can't use
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)

Money (that's what I want)
Lots of money (that's what I want)
Whole lot of money (that's what I want)
Aha (that's what I want)
Aha ha ha ha ha (that's what I want)
Whoa yeah (that's what I want)

Give me money (that's what I want)
Lots of money (that's what I want)
Always need greens, yeah (that's what I want)
That's right baby, that's what I need (that's what I want)
Aha ha ha ha ha, whoa yeah (that's what I want)
Give me money (that's what I want)
[Fades out]