Janie Bradford, Motown songwriter behind ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, dies aged 87

Janie Bradford, the Motown songwriter who co-wrote ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, has died at the age of 87.

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Her family confirmed the news earlier today, announcing that Bradford passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles yesterday (August 21), following an extended illness.

Motown founder Berry Gordy paid tribute to her in a statement, saying: “Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown.”

“Janie was smart, clever, witty and fun. She was also talented and determined. In those early days, everybody did what was needed to be done, and Janie was no exception. She became Motown’s first receptionist, but her talents quickly took her far beyond the desk,” he added.

Bradford was born in Charleston, Missouri in 1939 and later moved to Detroit, where her neighbour Jackie Wilson introduced her to Gordy. Wilson had already recorded a number of hits written by Gordy, including ‘Reet Petite’ and ‘Lonely Teardrops’.

Bradford began working with Gordy in 1958, before the Motown label had even been officially founded, and as well as working as a secretary, she quickly became involved in the company’s creative process.

While Gordy was developing ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ at the piano in 1958, Bradford helped to complete the song by contributing an additional verse. The finished composition was recorded by Barrett Strong and became Motown’s first hit single.

It later reached a wider audience thanks to a cover version by The Beatles on the closing track of their 1963 album ‘With The Beatles’, and The Rolling Stones also recording their own version on their first EP in 1964.

Bradford went on to co-write several other hit songs, including ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby’ with Strong and Norman Whitfield. The Temptations first recorded the song in 1966, before Marvin Gaye scored a hit with it three years later.

She also received credits on Mary Wells’ ‘Your Old Standby’, Stevie Wonder‘s ‘Contract On Love’, The Supremes‘ ‘Time Changes Things’, Diana Ross‘ ‘I Am Me’ and The Marvelettes’ ‘All The Love I’ve Got’.

After leaving Motown, Bradford founded the Heroes And Legends Awards, which established a scholarship fund in the 1990s. The awards honoured figures from the music industry and supported young people pursuing careers in the performing arts. Bradford was also inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame earlier this year.

She is survived by her husband Wardean Hobbs, her daughter Nicole Hobbs, her son Lance Finney and two grandsons.