Money (That's What I Want)
By:
The Beatles
Lyrics:
Money (That's What I Want)
Lead vocals:
John Lennon
Songwriter(s):
Berry Gordy, Janie Bradford
U.S. release date:
April 10, 1964
U.K. release date:
November 22, 1963
Length (≈):
2:45
Label:
Parlophone
Produced by:
George Martin
Recording date(s):
July 18, 1963
Recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios (EMI)
Musicians :
- John Lennon – rhythm guitar, lead vocal
- Paul McCartney – bass, vocals
- George Harrison – lead guitar, vocals
- Ringo Starr – drums
- George Martin - piano
Part of the performance repertoire before the recording session days, this 1959 hit sung co-written by Berry Gordy, later president of Motown Records, and performed by Barrett Strong. The Beatles' version was on the original Decca audition tapes from January of 1962. It was re-recorded in the summer and fall of 1963 for their second UK album. Since the rousing Twist and Shout had so well closed out side two of the debut album, producer George Martin wanted a similar song with which to conclude the Beatles' second album. Money (That's What I Want) was it.Money is a standard, rock version of a 12-bar blues, with several four-bar verses followed by an 8-bar chorus of "I need money . . . that's what I want." The intro and solo sections are just 8 bars, and the ending is a double-repeat of the chorus with a real ending (rather than a fade). The first two bars of the intro are George Martin alone on piano, introducing the now famous opening riff of this song.
Recording
July 18 & 30, September 30, 1963 in 7 takes.
Variations
A version was recorded for Decca Records during the bands' infamous Decca Sessions on January 1, 1962
A live concert version taped during October 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden can be found on Anthology 1.
Six versions were recorded for the BBC.
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